The presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs.

It is named after our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.

Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation.

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Fiona Macdonald a resident from Tzaneen received the Award for Exceptional Service in 2002 from the Letaba Rotary Club, and amongst other awards, Fiona received the Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year Award in 2005.

Fiona is a consultant with an interest in NGO governance. She directed the CHoiCe Comprehensive Health Care Trust (now CHoiCe Trust) from its inception and has built it up to be a highly regarded and well-funded NGO.

Over the year’s CHoiCe has carried out a number of projects together with Rotary Clubs: some of these have included the delivery of some 50 wheelchairs to needy people in deep rural areas around the Limpopo Province, HIV Awareness talks to Rotary members in various clubs, the making up of care packs for over 100 Care givers to carry out their home visits, an angel project in Haenertsburg up at the Spitzkop Clinic and Blanket collection for needy HIV positive orphans.

Fiona spent over 5 years on the local Tzaneen FAMSA Board, as well as some time on the National FAMSA Board.

She has just resigned from the Tsogang Water and Sanitation Executive Board after being very involved in its activities for more than 10 years.

Fiona is currently also a volunteer Care Giver with the Tzaneen Care Group and the Care Centre/Hospice and hopes to get more involved in Palliative Care and Dying with Dignity activities in the coming year.