WEEKLY PROJECTS
IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDER (IDD)
KIWANIS TRAMA UNIT
OTHER ACTIVITIES

WEEKLY PROJECTS

IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDER (IDD)
This is a devastating condition which causes lowered IQ in children and decreased productivity depression and goiter in adults. More than one billion people in the world's poorest countries are at risk. In the 1990's Kiwanis contributed some seventy five million dollars to promote the only practical means of preventing, IDD, the use of iodized salt. The result of this effort has been striking. Through UNICEF, these funds have provided extensive educational programs and salt iodization facilities in most of the poor countries. However, the problem remains at the final step, which is to convince the people to use iodized salt instead of their traditional rock salt. In Cambodia, for instance, iodized salt is readily available in the markets, but only about one-third of families use it. Goiters are still very common and, undoubtedly, many babies are born with irreversible reduction in their IQ's. Ultimately, the solution to the problem will have to come from the efforts of UNICEF and government, particularly by mandating the sale of iodized salt, only. There are surprisingly numerous obstacles to this goal and it may take many more years to achieve.

In the meantime, our South Denver Kiwanis Club has attempted to make local improvements in the use of iodized salt in places where the opportunity is presented. We were able to gain the cooperation of a large public school in Phnom Penh called Toul Kok Elementary. We raised $500.00 (US) and used it to purchase 2,500 kg of iodized salt from a Cambodian supplier. We then provided 2 kg to each of the 1000 students in 6th grade. We were told that 1 kg would last an average family a year. The children were asked to keep 1 kg of salt and give the second 1kg to a neighbor. The salt was bought in bulk and then transferred by volunteer students into 1 kg zip-lock bags. On the bags, we printed, in the Khmer language, a message addressing the students and teachers and at the same time we were able to tell them about Kiwanis. The teachers have even expressed an interest in helping to form Cambodia's first Kiwanis Club! This was a delightful experience. We were very warmly received and we would encourage others to consider similar projects, not only in Cambodia, but in any other poor countries at risk of IDD. We were able to provide the salt and the custom printed zip-lock bags for twenty cents per kilogram. In addition to schools, one could also target churches or any other institutions where one obtained the cooperation of the administration. We hope that these small local projects will impress on children the importance of using only iodized salt.

Contact Keith McDonald for more information concerning this activity.

Links:
The Salt Of The Earth Project www.saltoftheearth.biz
Other Links

KIWANIS TRAMA UNIT
To prevent these types of injuries in children, and to increase the odds of survival for those who are traumatically injured, the Kiwanis Club of South Denver as a member of the Rocky Mountain Kiwanis District -- have joined in partnership to create the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI), for injury research, prevention and outreach education. KPTI, located at The Children's Hospital, draws on the expertise found at Children's, the only hospital in the Rocky Mountain region solely dedicated to the care of children. KPTI reaches out to educated medical professionals, families and communities throughout Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska. KPTI is Dedicated to:

THE KIWANIS CLUB OF SOUTH DENVER IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS PROJECT. For more information on the Kiwanis Trama Unit go to: http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/wellness/safety/kpti/index.aspx.
Other Links

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Weekly Luncheon Program: An informative speaker makes a presentation at each of the weekly noon luncheon meetings. These speakers are informative while motivating one to think more about the given subject.

Salvation Army: Each Christmas our members volunteer their time to ring the bells to collect money for this organization.

Holiday Baskets: Each Christmas the Club funds purchase and delivers food baskets to those in need.

Volunteer Hours: Club members volunteer approximately 500 service hours per month to non-profit agencies.

Social Events: The Club hosts various social events during the year varying from University of Denver Hockey games, picnics, and golf tournaments to a more formal officer installation dinner.