Partners
Our partnerships make us even stronger
RNZWCS Limited works with a number of other organisations to improve and extend its work in developing countries.
Our partnerships with , ROMAC, MORDI, VSA and Interplast are good examples of our collaborative approach. In the course of our work, we also partner with Rotary Clubs and other organisations from other countries, governments, both New Zealand and local NGOs, and businesses who support our work.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH ROMAC - PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH VITAL MEDICAL TREATMENT
RNZWCS Limited and Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children New Zealand Charitable Trust (ROMAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. ROMAC provide surgical treatment in Australia and New Zealand for children from Pacific countries which is not available to them in their own country.
ROMAC was established in March 1988 when an Australian Rotarian and a group of surgeons visited Labasa in Fiji. They found the child mortality rate was 25% in some communities and identified a major cause was the lack of medical and surgical skills combined with inadequate facilities. One case was an 18-year-old Fijian girl whose right leg would have been at risk had she not received immediate surgery. Over the next four years, eight children travelled to Australia for major, and for some, lifesaving surgery. ROMAC established five regions representing Rotary clubs throughout Australia.
A New Zealand region was formally established in 2004, the first patient being from Vanuatu who received surgery in New Zealand the following year. ROMAC in New Zealand and Australia engage medical specialists including surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, along with hospital, pathology and radiology services. Sponsors and supporters include airlines and often Rotary members provide hospitality. ROMAC is currently providing surgical treatment to up to 50 children from Oceania annually.
DONATE TO ROMAC by selecting Partner Projects on our donate page. When using internet banking enter ROMAC in the reference field. You may use any of the other payment options on the page. If you have questions, please contact us. Thank you.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH INTERPLAST - REPAIRING BODIES, REBUILDING LIVES
RNZWCS Limited and Interplast Australia and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help make it easy for Rotary Clubs and Rotarians to support Interplast’s work. Interplast was co-founded by Rotary in 1983. Rotarians, Clubs and Districts across Oceania and Australia have continued to work in partnership with Interplast since then. A number of Interplast’s volunteer clinicians live in New Zealand, making an invaluable contribution to Interplast’s mission.
Interplast sends teams of volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to provide life-changing surgery and care in 17 countries across South East Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Interplast’s volunteers treat conditions such as cleft lips and palates, tumours, traumatic injuries and burn scar contractures, with the intention of restoring function and dignity to patients in desperate need. Interplast is also committed to building capacity in the health systems of its partner countries, and places equal emphasis on training local clinicians, so that patients of the future won’t have to wait for an Interplast team to visit.
In 2023, Interplast celebrates its 40th anniversary. The teams of volunteers are busy resuming their travels after the lifting of pandemic-related travel restrictions. Many patients have had to wait 3 years to receive their desperately needed surgery and care so that they can live their lives without disability and stigma.
Historically, New Zealand supporters of Interplast were not able to receive tax credits for their donations, which has limited Interplast’s ability to fundraise in New Zealand. RNZWCS is keen to further support Interplast programs by facilitating donations from New Zealand donors. The purpose of the MoU establishes a relationship between Interplast and RNZWCS to facilitate tax-deductible donations from New Zealand citizens and residents in support of Interplast’s projects.
Support our work with Interplast by donating to Partner Projects on our home page. If paying via internet banking add Interplast in the reference field or use any of the other payment options on the page. You may also donate on the RNZWCS page on Interplast’s website. Thank you.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH MORDI - HELPING TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY IN TONGA
Rotary New Zealand is pleased to have been a partner with MORDI (Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Tonga Trust) since 2014 when Rotary New Zealand became involved in the delivery of emergency livelihoods relief programs after Cyclone Ian. The following year, it aided the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) response when parts of Tonga were hit by an El Nino event and then in February 2018, it participated in another livelihoods program following Cyclone Gita. All these initiatives were funded by Rotary New Zealand and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
MORDI is a trust that seeks funding from a range of donors. Its corporate partners are the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the New Zealand Aid programme.
MORDI works towards aiding rural isolated communities in Tonga fight poverty. It’s been empowering communities to realise their full potentials and take ownership by involving them in the community activities rather than isolating them. In the past, development plans were designed and voiced by men. When MORDI identified that women and youth were more vulnerable, they gave them the opportunity to participate in community development activities in an effort to break the age-old traditions. MORDI has now got to a point where it is able to stand aside and watch the community band together for the betterment of the whole community.
MORDI provides projects that help people earn a consistent income and is involved in educating women in nutrition, hygiene and household budgeting. It also works towards securing safe food and water systems for rural communities where shortage of food often comes from the lack of agricultural skills and water is sourced from tap or rain cache.
MORDI believes it is never too late to educate. Where families struggle to pay school fees and students often drop out or are put to work on plantations or in the home, MORDI provides educational opportunities for adults in various forms both in institutions and via practical training courses in sea safety, small engine maintenance and the like.
To read more about MORDI and its work, visit their website.
Our partnership with ROTARY PACIFIC WATER (RPW) - a shared commitment to improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in rural communities across Fiji.
A Collaborative Mission to Transform WASH in Fiji
The partnership between Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS Limited) and Rotary Pacific Water (RPW) represents a shared commitment to improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in rural communities across Fiji. This collaboration embodies the Rotary values of service above self and the recognition of water and sanitation as fundamental pillars of human development.
The Rationale Behind the Partnership
RNZWCS has long supported projects that promote sustainable development and community empowerment across the Pacific region. The partnership with RPW aligns with RNZWCS's mission to work collaboratively with local organizations that have an established understanding of the unique cultural, environmental, and logistical challenges faced by communities. RPW’s track record in delivering water infrastructure and fostering community participation complements RNZWCS’s expertise in resource mobilization, project oversight, and ensuring that development initiatives are aligned with international best practices.
Aims and Objectives of the Partnership
The collaboration aims to achieve transformative outcomes in Fiji’s rural areas, focusing on:
Improved Access to Safe Water: Developing infrastructure to ensure reliable, year-round access to clean and safe water sources for rural households.
Enhanced Sanitation Facilities: Addressing the lack of adequate sanitation in underserved communities to promote better hygiene and public health.
Capacity Building: Training and empowering local stakeholders to take ownership of WASH projects, ensuring their sustainability and fostering resilience.
Reduction of Waterborne Diseases: Alleviating the burden of preventable illnesses by improving water quality and promoting hygiene education.
RNZWCS's Contribution to the Partnership
RNZWCS plays a pivotal role in this partnership through:
Resource Mobilization: Sourcing funding from international donors, Rotary clubs, and philanthropic organizations to finance WASH projects.
Technical Support: Providing expertise in project planning, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure that interventions are efficient, impactful, and sustainable.
Advocacy and Awareness: Amplifying the visibility of water and sanitation challenges in Fiji, encouraging more stakeholders to engage in addressing these critical issues.
Leveraging RPW’s Local Expertise
RPW’s position as a Fiji-based NGO ensures that projects are tailored to the specific needs of the communities. Their grassroots connections, cultural understanding, and technical knowledge enable RNZWCS to channel its resources effectively, ensuring that interventions are not only impactful but also sustainable in the long term.
Achievements and Future Goals
The RNZWCS and RPW partnership has already made significant strides in improving WASH conditions in Fiji. Through joint initiatives, they have brought clean water to remote villages, enhanced sanitation facilities, and raised awareness about hygiene practices. Looking ahead, the partnership aims to scale its impact by incorporating innovative approaches, such as renewable energy solutions for water systems and climate-resilient infrastructure, ensuring that rural communities in Fiji can thrive amidst environmental and economic challenges.
A Model for Regional Collaboration
This partnership stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration in addressing pressing global issues. By leveraging the strengths of both RNZWCS and RPW, this partnership not only uplifts vulnerable communities in Fiji but also sets an example for how organizations can unite across borders to create meaningful and lasting change.
In essence, RNZWCS views its collaboration with RPW not just as a project partnership but as a shared mission to enhance the dignity, health, and opportunities of Fiji’s rural populations. Together, they are building a legacy of sustainable development and hope for future generations.
To read more about RPW and its work, visit their website
Contact Us
For further information call +64 272695615
or send an email to info@rnzwcs.org
For our latest news, follow us on Facebook:
RNZWCS NEWS: Click here
EMERGENCY RESPONSE KITS NEWS: Click here
