UK ROTARY AWARD FOR EMP

EMP is delighted and very honoured to have been awarded by Rotary International Britain and Ireland their UK COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF CHANGE AWARD for 2018-19. There are only eight such awards made for the entire UK so it’s a very significant achievement , and one we are very proud of . The award recognises Rotarians who have provided outstanding humanitarian service over a period of several years.

Part of the citation reads :

…… this award is for the charity’s tireless energy and driving support for, and participation in, the Ethiopia Medical Project which Jo Middlemiss and Maureen Burnett set up. Once a year, usually during February they set off to a little clinic in the south of Ethiopia, usually for a month. All year they collect clothes, medical supplies and money to help this brave little clinic do its valuable work.Over time they have provided skills and funds to develop its medical capabilities, as well as funding staff to operate it. This couldn’t be done without the help and enthusiastic support of so many of their friends, family, random strangers and the Rotary clubs who have heard of their passion for the silent, patient women over there, who suffer for just the business of being a woman, whether it be through protracted labours, carrying of heavy loads or circumcision. This is what EMP is about.

Jo will be travelling to Nottingham to receive her award in May at the UK national conference. Her Rotary club is very proud of her and are delighted to have been able to support her, as have other rotary clubs nearby. She’s an outstanding example of what rotarians try to do – make a difference for communities both locally and internationally.”