VICKI JENKINS: ROTARY CLUB OF MT WARNING AM
DAYS FOR GIRLS
In July 2014 two members of the Mt Warning AM Rotary Club returned from International
Convention inspired by a project known as Days for Girls. Most of our District has now become
familiar with this project.
President Kayleen Casey approached Vicki Jenkins, a long time member of the Club, to ask
whether she would be prepared to manage such a project on behalf of the Club. Vicki had been
unwell for some time and at that time was unable to attend regular meetings. Vicki willingly
assumed responsibility for the project being one which she could manage in her own time at her
own pace and if necessary from home. She then embarked upon publicising the project and using
the same to attract Murwillumbah community members to the work of the Rotary Club. The public
was invited to join Rotarians at working bees in various venues in Murwillumbah to undertake
sewing days and regular Days for Girls “sessions”. These events are planned not only to publicise
the work of Days for Girls but also to publicise the Mt Warning AM Rotary Club and to inspire and
involve other non-Rotarian community members to the work of the Club. In addition, Vicki
organised a number of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike to deliver and distribute Days for Girls
kits to various countries overseas. She also began liaising with other Rotary Clubs and community
groups within District 9640, but outside the Tweed Region, to engage them also in this project.
To date the original Days for Girls group established by Vicki with the Rotary Club of Mt Warning
AM has now spread its net further afield to places such as Coonabarabran, Goondiwindi, Iluka,
Southport and Kingscliff. More than 170 volunteers are now engaged in the Days for Girls project
under Vicki’s leadership. The Club kits have been distributed to Vanuatu, PNG, India, Kenya,
Sierra Leone and the Philippines. Vicki has manned a booth for Days for Girls at the last two
District Conferences in Murwillumbah and Goondiwindi taking out the Conference Award for best
booth on each occasion. Numerous fund raising events have been held and Vicki is now in the
process of establishing the Rotary Club of Mt Warning AM groups as a separate chapter within the
international organisation. Community groups involved with the Mt Warning AM Club include local
Presbyterian Ladies Groups, Seventh Day Adventist Church, various individuals and quilting and
sewing groups within the community.
The inspiration of two Rotarians at International Conference
in Sydney has led to the growth of this project from a small
seed of an idea to what can best be described as a mighty
forest of trees spread far and wide undertaking the work
under Vicki’s leadership. The commitment of Rotarian Vick
Jenkins has turned the promise of assistance to young girls
in developing countries (without access to normal hygiene
products), into reality. Well done Vicki.
Find out more about Days for Girls HERE