"THE EARLY YEARS"

1984 was a memorable year for Rotarians in RIBI and a momentous one for the tens of thousands of disabled, men, women and children, invariably poor, who would receive, in the coming two decades, a Jaipur Limb.

1984 saw the late Peter Betteridge (RC Godalming) visit, with his wife Jessamine, the remarkable limb making workshop at the Mahaveer Society hospital in Jaipur, India. Serving as Rotary volunteers, they were astonished to see this centre where so many limbless people were treated. They observed the huge support given to the centre by the Jaipur Rotarians and members of Inner Wheel.

Coming as they did to the Centre by any method of transport, and often from great distances in India, no disabled person was ever turned away and all were treated free of charge. These two principles of service above self have been sustained in the coming years with the expansion of Rotary Jaipur Limb camps and Permanent centres throughout India and to many other countries in the continents of Asia, Africa and Central America.

Enthused by what he saw, Peter returned to the UK determined to support the work in Jaipur of the Mahaveer Society for the Disabled (BMVSS).

Led by its President, Mr B.P.Jain, BMVSS soon established a second Permanent Limb Centre in New Delhi.

Word spread in India and in Rotary District 1250 of the pressing need to hold limb camps elsewhere in India. Trained technicians from Jaipur and Delhi were sent to distant camps to work and, in some cases, to train others. At that time the average cost of a limb was a mere £15.00.

In 1988 support for the Project extended beyond District 1250 and it was included in the RIBI International Projects Library for the first time.

In 1990, Rotarians of Kingston-on Thames (District 1130) financed the first Permanent Rotary Jaipur Limb Centre in Khammam. Rotarian Doug Bishop (RC Horley) visited Khammam with Peter and both became increasingly involved with organizing camps and centres elsewhere in India.

Also in 1990 the concept of free limbs went International with the first Permanent Jaipur Limb Centre being established in Nairobi, Kenya. (sponsored by D. 3140 and RC Bournemouth).

In 1993, District 1070 Governor Barry Hodgkinson went to Honduras to see the first Rotary Jaipur Limb Centre established in Central America.

During the early 1990s Limb camps were held in several African countries, as well as in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Growing interest across RIBI and the sad demise, in 1993, of Peter Betteridge made registration of the Project as a Trust inevitable and PDG Clive Addis-Jones (D 1250) became the first Chairman. Doug Bishop (D 1250) continued, effectively as Chief Executive, devoting endless time to organizing and advising Rotarians in RIBI and around the world.

In 1996 PDG Edwin Jacks (D 1190) became the second Chairman of Trustees and he commenced the recruitment of more Trustees from across RIBI.

The sad demise of Doug Bishop and Edwin Jacks, both in early 1998, led to increasing devolvement of responsibility for the Trust, and wider participation from Rotarians in RIBI. Malcolm McCarthy (D 1280) took over chairmanship of the Trustees at that time and a Management Committee was formed, with PDG Don Short (D 1110) as its first Chairman, to oversee the growing number of RJLP projects world-wide. In 2000, following the resignation of Malcolm McCarthy, the chairmanship passed to PDG Gussie Hynes (D 1160). In 2003 the chairmanship returned, once again, to PDG Clive Addis-Jones (D 1250).

Regular visits by Trustees Colin James (D 1180), the late Gerry Powell (D 1210), and others have ensured a continuing flow of projects, including Limb camp, Corrective surgery camp and Permanent centre projects, across the Indian sub-continent.

Trustee Don Short makes at least one trip a year to Africa nurturing the increasing number of Permanent centres on that huge continent.

The committed band of twelve Trustees and six Managers continue to generate support from Rotary, Inner Wheel, Rotaract and Interact clubs across RIBI.

The enthusiasm for this special project by so many Rotarians has pushed the Trust to a level of activity never envisaged in the early years.

Truly the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project has exceeded Peter Betteridge’s wildest dreams.

C. D. Addis-Jones. January 2004.

The last two years has seen some important changes within the Trust.

In July 2004 Past RIBI President, PDG Norman Proctor (D1290) was appointed PRO.

Sadly, in January 2005, our secretary, PDG John Webb (D 1240), died suddenly. He will be greatly missed. John has been succeeded in that post by his wife, Rotarian and Past District Chairman of Inner Wheel Margaret Webb, who will continue to arrange speakers for club or District talks/presentations.

In July 2004 PDG Ron Marshall (D1210) succeeded PDG David Seed (D1100) as Treasurer, David moved on to succeed PDG Don Short (D1110) as Management Committee Chairman and Don was elected Vice-Chairman of Trustees.

In February 2005 the Chairman of Management, PDG David Seed, welcomed Rotarian David Kaye (D1290) to his first meeting. David, a French speaker who has worked in West Africa for many years, will work with PDG Don Short to develop Permanent Jaipur Limb Workshops in that region and in District 9100, where there are many Francophile countries, in particular.

During 2005 we also welcomed a second Patron, the eminent surgeon, Professor The Lord McColl of Dulwich CBE. MS. FRCS. FRCSE. FACS. Chairman of Dept of Surgery, Guy's Hospital, and Chairman of 'Mercy Ships'.

Update. January 2006