Background of the RCTHM
Founded in 1990, Rotary Club The Hague Metropolitan (RCTHM) is a Netherlands English language club. Its membership reflects the cosmopolitan community in and around The Hague. It is a medium size, mixed gender club with a fluctuating membership due to the comings and goings of expatriates that make up a majority of its members. The nationality mix is varied and membership covers a wide spectrum of businesses, sciences and international relations. This tapestry of nationalities and backgrounds gives a unique flavour to the Club's meetings, events and activities. Recruiting new members to sustain its membership and enhance its diversity is an on-going goal. RCTHM is dedicated to upholding the Rotary International motto "Service Above Self".
While supporting projects in the local community, RCTHM's membership composition places a special emphasis on the support of international projects. Examples include:
2005 "Tabita" Rehabilitation & Treatment Center, Konstancin, Poland
Jointly with RC Warsaw, the Club contributed to the purchase of the equipment for the "Tabita" Rehabilitation & Treatment Center. The Center accommodates some 140 patients/pensioners comprising the weak, vulnerable, old and children, the disabled and all in need of care and support.
2004 Leprosy Project, Lucknow, India
Jointly with RC Lucknow, the Club supported the Medical Camps Project by contributing to the provision of sets of special kitchen utensils with insulated handles and kits for eye care and ulcers to permit an improvement in self care practices amongst leprosy affected persons.
2003 Girls' Schools, Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
In collaboration with RC Amsterdam International and the Wilde Ganzen Foundation, the Club supported the Afghan Shuhada Organisation in re-establishing basic educational facilities for girls in remote districts of Bamyan province following the ravages of the Taliban period.
2002 Badia Project, Jordan
The Club's support targeted the Jordanian Badia Project for developing the Jordanian desert areas and improving the quality of life of the Bedouin tribes especially the lives of Bedouin women.
2001 Telacho Peasant Association Water Resources Project, Ethiopia
The Club's support targeted the relief of seasonal rain dependent agricultural and domestic water supply in a drought sensitive area. Project features comprise wells to provide a source of hygienic potable water, re-forestation to check erosion, mini-dams and canals to harvest seasonal rainfall and training of locals in operation and maintenance.
2000 Village Schools, Burkina, Africa
The Club produced and sold 1,000 international recipe CookBooks. The proceeds were donated to the Save the Children Alliance for the construction, staffing and maintenance of village schools.
1999 Earthquake Disaster, Turkey
In response to the August 1999 earthquake, the Club supported the Rotary Disaster Relief Group organised by D-2420 - Turkey Zone 10. The funds went toward the establishment of a primary school component of a Training Centre for Preparedness Education and Training Against Earthquakes.
