Events

Jimi Meier farms on Sumas Prairie with her husband, Tony, and four children. They live in the flood zone and consequently, were affected by the November flood event. Jimi writes, “We were fortunate that we did not have any flood damage to any buildings, just crops.” 

Hallie Jacobs farms on Sumas Prairie with her husband, Joe, and two children. They live in the flood zone, but were fortunate not to suffer any flood damage.

Jimi and Hallie started the Facebook page Helping Sumas Prairie Farmers, just days after returning home from their own evacuation. The purpose of the site was to start a fundraiser for the purpose of collecting gift cards for those affected by the floods.

The idea caught the attention of many, as they managed to distribute $87,000.00 in cash and gift cards, and well over $55,000.00 in donated items.

Myanmar (Burma) is among one of the poorest countries in the World. There is an absence of clean water, electricity, and internet. Commuting between villages are impassable and unsafe during all seasons, while most travel by foot. Health care is limited and not easily accessible, while averaging 8240 deaths per year. The government has an annual budget allocated to education of 1.2% per year. Because many villages lack school, children often have limited or no access to education, condemning them to the uncertain fate of survival though subsistence farming or, more alarming, to human trafficking.

About the Speaker

Paw K’ Boh is 23 years old and the youngest of six siblings. She was born and raised in a refugee camp on the border of Myanmar and Thailand. In 2007, at the age of 10, she and her family were sponsored by the Canadian government to move to BC. Today, she is a student at theUniversity of the Fraser Valley, and in her last year of pursuing a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care. Her interests: being out in the outdoors, watching sports games, and spending time with family and friends.

Navroop is Senior Marketing Director, World Financial Group (WFG), and Sandeep is an Associate at WFG. Navroop and Sandeep immigrated to Canada in 2018. In India, Sandeep worked as an Assistant Professor at Lovely Professional University, and Navroop managed agricultural land and two gas stations.

After arriving in Canada and navigating some challenging first years as newcomers, they found opportunities that suited their passion and skill sets. Despite all the challenges they faced, they are able to say, “…we were welcomed to Canada with open arms, fair system, and ample room to grow more”.

Navroop founded his own business, World Financial Group, which allowed him to put his skills to use, and the business has thrived. They have joined Rotary out of a sincere desire to “give back” to society. Rotary is familiar to both, as Navroop was a Rotarian in India, and Sandeep too had experience with Rotary in India.

Kelly is Executive Director of Inasmuch Community Society. She is the daughter of two Rotarians; niece of a Rotarian and was niece and granddaughter to long time Rotarians who have passed away. Kelly grew up hearing the slogan of “service before self” and has put this into practice during her 20+ years in the Not-for-Profit sector. Kelly grew up in Abbotsford and loves this community. She is looking is excited about and forward to sharing with the club, about the people she has the joy of serving.

Doris has served this club as president during the  last year. June 30th marks her term-end, so she will give her assessment of this past year's club activities and provide us with a personal challenge as we move into the next year.

Our in-coming president, Deanna, will provide the club with her inaugural address, complete with a personal challenge and laying out her agenda for the coming year.

Hieke Morton is a wife and mom to 4 grown children. She is a highschool Foods teacher and a 'Red Seal' chef.  Hieke has a heart for families struggling with food insecurity and she recently opened the Fraser Valley's first non-profit grocery market.

Nothing robs people of their dignity quite like standing in a line to receive a handout of food that they have no choice or say in. As a parent who struggled to provide for her own children in the past, she knows firsthand the importance of dignity around accessing food. Hieke recently opened a non-profit grocery market called Gathering Markit to address food insecurity in Abbotsford in a way that provides dignity, choice and convenience. Hieke wants to challenge the way we think about food insecurity and all the issues that arise with this difficult reality.

Nurse Next Door has been providing home care services in the Vancouver area for 20 years.  Kristina started this franchise in 2021 as the demand for in-home care increased during the pandemic.  She operates a growing business, with more than 50 caregivers and nurses providing compassionate care to people in Langley and Abbotsford. 

Ajay was born in India, and his family settled in a small town in British Columbia.  He was introduced to theatre early in high school.  He went on to study electronics, engineering and business.  He and his wife have three adult children and three grandsons. Over the years he has coached Soccer, Softball and Baseball, and served in the community through Rotary. 

Ajay has a rich record of service through Rotary. He has served as the Rotary District Vocational Service Chair; Visioning Committee; Membership Committee; Club President; trainer for District Visioning, RLI and PNWPETS; assisted a team of Canadian young people teach English in China; and now he is preparing to serve as an AG (D5050 – Area E).