Each month, we donate between $10,000 and $20,000 to support Melbourne’s homeless and fund surgeries for children in Africa.

Thanks to Rotary Brighton, all donations to the African Child Surgery Program are now tax-deductible.

This program started over ten years ago and has grown to fund more than 200 surgeries annually – from simple treatments like broken bones and tonsillitis to complex surgeries like amputations to halt cancer.

With just $1,000, you can change a life forever. This isn’t ongoing charity; it’s empowering people. By supporting local surgeons, we strengthen the health system and allow these children to go to school, ultimately contributing to their communities and freeing up their carer to also be productive – it has a tremendous multiplier effect.

Yes, there are challenges with inefficiencies and corruption, as in many parts of the world. However, we choose to manage these issues rather than using them as an excuse to stop helping.

This January, I’ll be on my seventh trip to Tanzania, meeting local leaders, reviewing program impacts, and providing training in Swahili and English at key hospitals.

Beyond surgeries, we’re also exploring sustainable business support for the program and using blockchain to manage the complex supply chain that is a child surgery, starting with a 15-hour bus trip for diagnosis. You’re welcome to join me to see first-hand how much this work impacts lives.