Having a clear sense of purpose as well as passion for humanitarian work are two defining traits of members of the Rotary Club of Sangre Grande.
Dr Cyril Paltoo, the club's first president, made the remarks while delivering the feature address at the charity's tenth anniversary celebration, held at Hayley's Restaurant at the Shops of Trincity, on March 20.Celebrating events in decades, he said, conveyed a sense of strength and togetherness.
"What started off as a mere idea from the president of the Rotary Club of Maracas/St Joseph, Dr Hari Narinesingh, in 2005 has blossomed into a strong and dominant club that had begun as a provisional club in November 2005." he said.
"The club became eligible for full membership status with Rotary International in less than six months, a feat seldom achieved by other provisional clubs around the world, and in March 2006 we were fully chartered as the Rotary Club of Sangre Grande." He urged Rotarians not to lose focus on the Herculean task ahead, to assist the indigent in the community and bring smiles to the faces of those who have long forgotten what happiness means.
Meanwhile, club president Seunarine Kumar Hardath said the one thing he had learnt was that Rotary makes a difference in lives, the lives of the less fortunate.
"From polio eradication worldwide, bringing potable water to residents whose circumstances deprived them of this precious commodity; bringing comfort to those with physical disabilities through the provision of wheelchairs; engaging in education through literacy projects; the provision of pacemakers through Heartbeat International, we are making that major difference to those whose lives we have touched."