Dear Editor – I wish to simply correct the report in the Star by Denver Newter (SST 5785) that a runner complained of stomach aches and diarrhoea due to taking milk distributed at Rotary Fun Run and claimed the milk had expired.
This claim is false as the donated milk was checked properly and was even drunk by some Rotarians before their being distributed.
The truth is it will expire later in the year otherwise Rotary I am sure would not have distributed it.
It is likely that some participants took advantage of the free supply and just drank too much milk, more than necessary in their empty stomachs.
Understandably large donation as this does raise suspicions and claims.
Well done Rotary especially young Rotary Interact Club of St. Nicholas School for securing the donation amongst many others.
A check in the hospital did not reveal any unusual increase in cases of diarrhoeas, which is quite prevalent in Honiara due to poor sanitation.
This in spite of an amazingly over 5,000 runners took part and thousands must have drank the milk.
I myself drank two packets without problem.
My children and team of runners had several packets and none of them suffered with diarrhoea. We all had a great day.
Finally I commend the Solomon Star for your thorough and extensive coverage of the Fun Run by Carlos Aruafu with plenty pretty pictures in this paper.
Whilst raising some needed fund to help some Solomon Islands children to have another chance of life, Easter Fun Run is the most peaceful inter-generational and inter-ethnic event in the country as eloquently described by our most senior runner Don Boykin again in this paper.
I am sure it is essentially this nationally important point that Rotary makes Easter Fun Run an annual event and His Excellency the Governor General attends the starts and prize giving over the years.
Dr Nathan Kere
Kola’a Ridge
