Local Rotarian Brings Mission To Uganda

The distribution team alsp included Jack Burns of Winner; Luke Russell of Minneapolis; Shannell Nieuwendorp of Orange City, Iowa; Cheryl Tracy of Orange City and Katie Jenkins of Denver.

Two million Uganda children are orphans, and they are in crisis. Thousands have been abducted as child soldiers or sex slaves. Tens of thousands, fearing abduction, journey every night from their villages to the safety of larger towns — known globally as the “Gulu walk.”

Rotary Internation seeks to bring some comfort to this country.

Kube shares his observation after spending 10 days in Uganda.

“Ugandans love their families, and want the best for them,” said Kube, a past president of Yankton Rotary Club No. 1470. “Despite handicaps, parents take care of their children.”

United States Rotarians are using their foreign contacts, bypassing the government, to arrange with faith-based organizations to distribute these “gifts of mobility.” Rotarians partners with Hope Haven Industries.

Based in Rock Valley, Iowa, Hope Haven Industries gathers and refurbishes wheelchairs from around the United States for distribution to countries where the government healthcare systems are susceptible to corruption. They unleash potential in people, locally and around the world, offering disability services.

“Rotary International helps without hurting,” Kube said. “We help without making anyone dependent upon the government. Too many charitable programs make problems worse by causing more dependence, reducing their ability to be self-sufficient, and addressing only the symptom, never the problem. We get corruption out of it. Victimization is profitable when the government is involved.”

One hundred and fifty wheelchairs were distributed on the recent trip.

“The ones receiving the gift of mobility were very appreciative,” Kube said. “They were very easy to please, even if the wheelchair wasn’t perfect for them.”

All Rotarians live by the “Four Way Test”: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Does it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it beneficial to all concerned?  

“Rotary is the best networking/service club in the world,” Kube said. “If everyone lived by the Rotary ‘Four Way Test,’ none of the problems we see today would exist. This is why I joined Rotary in 1977 — to help make the world a better place.”

Kube also took part in distributing wheelchairs to Romanians.

Hope Haven is planning trips to Romania, Vietnam and Guatemala this year.  Rotary is also responsible for the eradication of polio starting in the 1960s along with other local projects like bike helmets for second and third grades each spring. Over 250 helmets were distributed Wednesday at Yankton High School.

Rotary meets every Tuesday at the Hillcrest Country Club. If interested, call Kube at 402-388-4511.

“I’ll explain more about what Rotary does,” he said.