|
Turnover
of COVID-19 test kits donation of Pilipinas Rotaract MDIO
represented by Chair Louie De Real and Chair Elect Manuel
Joseph Franco (6th and 7th from the left) to UP National
Institutes of Health represented by Dr. Karen Sotalbo (5th
from the left). |
Filipino Rotaractors
raise funds for COVID-19 test kits
By
REGINA GRACE REYES
Rotaract Club of Calumpit
July 18, 2020
MANILA – Ignited by the eagerness to extend humanitarian aid during
this COVID-19 pandemic, the Pilipinas Rotaract Convention 2021
Organizing Committee, mainly composed of Rotaractors from Rotary
International District 3770, in partnership with the Pilipinas
Rotaract Multi-District Information Organization, conducted a
fundraising campaign entitled Project #SAMPU Sama-Sama sa Mas
Pinatibay na Ugnayan Laban sa COVID-19 from April 14-27, 2020.
The campaign aimed to raise an amount of P160,700 to purchase 100
GenAmplify™ COVID-19 rRT-PCR Detection Kits in support of the mass
testing program. GenAmplify™ COVID-19 rRT-PCR Detection Kit is the
low-cost test kit invented locally by a team of scientists from the
University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health, the
Philippine Genome Center, and the Manila HealthTek, Inc.
With humble hopes of purchasing only 100 COVID-19 Testing Kits, the
donation drive surpassed its target in just four days after the
launch of the campaign. This was through the ripple effects of
donations coming not just from Filipino Rotaractors but also from
Rotarians and even family and friends outside of Rotary. At the end
of the campaign last April 27, the team was able to raise Php
259,484 which funded the production of 161 COVID-19 test kits turned
over to the University of the Philippines – National Institutes of
Health last July 6, 2020. The donations came from 73 Rotaract Clubs,
4 Rotary Clubs and other donor groups and individuals across the
country.
Pilipinas MDIO is a Rotary international-recognized organization
which aims at strengthening the Rotaract movement in the country. It
is run by the District Rotaract Representatives and chaired by an
elected Past DRR from a member district. Its programs and services
are administered by a team of volunteer past club and district
Rotaract leaders across the country. One of the core purposes of the
MDIO is to promote multi-district service projects such as this
fundraising campaign for COVID-19 test kits.
