The Rotary Club of Swakopmund had a very special Induction Dinner this week for their President for the year 2004 / 2005.

This prestigious club has only three female members and the president of last year, Astrid Mattle was re-elected to lead the club.

The newly elected president referred to the special contribution that the ladies have made to the activities of the club.

Astrid expressed her goals for the club whose main objective is to serve other people who are in need. This was also what attracted Astrid to the club , the fact that they always respond to the needs of the elderly and other needy people. She referred to the fact that women see things differently and they are very much aware of and dedicated to the needs out there in society.

The achievements of the past year and the outreach to the needy made Astrid aware of the fact that a challenging year was ahead of the club.

"It struct me that I was living among them but not really knowing their needs. I realised that there was a whole generation, challenging the standard of living of today", the president said.

The achievements of the Rotary club are the results of well coordinated teamwork.

There are a number of projects to serve the community initiated by the club and it is therefore important to involve as many members as well as the community to reach out to the needs of the people. In this process gender does not play a role in the activities but the motivation of people therefore the more exposure Rotary has in the community can only be to the benefit of our people in need.

Astrid, the president for the coming year does not lack the motivation or the perseverance to achieve her goals for the club to serve the community.