Working at grass roots level to eradicate polio worldwide

One volunteer who has helped at grass roots level in the immunisation campaigns is Marilyn Shaw-White, the wife of a former President of the Rotary Club of Menorca, Ivor White, though not a Rotarian herself. For the third successive year Marilyn has journeyed to India to help in the PolioPlus immunisation campaign currently being conducted there. On the first two occasions she worked in Lucknow, once in Mother Teresa's Hospice, but this year she will be in Old Delhi for a period of 13 days. The first four days will be spent in preparation work; liaising with local medical staff and Rotary members. On the first of the two immunisation days she will work alongside three other volunteers in a booth administering drops to children under 5 years brought along by their parents or older siblings. After receiving the polio vaccine each child is given a toy/gift as a reward and then has his little finger marked with indelible ink to prevent him from rejoining the queue to get another toy.

On the second day of the campaign, the volunteers travel to the villages to seek out children who have not been immunised; a task made easier as a mark is put on the door of each home where the child has already been given drops. In some areas the people are living in extreme poverty which "makes 'Slumdog Millionaire' look good in comparison" according to Marilyn, who adds "but the people are wonderful".She explains that children from all classes are brought to be immunised; the Indians now appreciating that polio must be stopped. Some are driven to the centre in large cars accompanied by servants, others arrive barefoot with an older brother or sister. The Rotary Club of Menorca provides the money for the toys and gifts which always prove popular whether they are packs of small toothbrushes and paste, balls, dolls, pencils, rubbers, pads, balloons, baby spoons or beach balls.

Then, after two more days of organisational work there will be a few days remaining to see something of the country, including a day in Agra and a trip on the River Ganges.