LEWISTON — Taysir Jama, health promotion coordinator at Healthy Androscoggin, will be the featured guest speaker at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston. 

Jama is a health promotion coordinator at Healthy Androscoggin, responsible for building awareness about lead poisoning and educating our community about lead hazards and prevention methods.

Lead is a poison that affects virtually every system in the human body, and is particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of fetuses and young children. The effects of lead poisoning are irreversible and Lewiston-Auburn has the highest rate of childhood lead poisoning in the state of Maine.

Jama is also a community outreach specialist at YWCA of Central Maine, promoting the single gender women’s swim class. The program was developed by the YWCA is called PEACE.

PEACE (Positive Ethnic and Cultural Exchange) is a growing initiative working to build community among women at the YWCA emphasizing a cross-cultural exchange. During the winter months, PEACE offers twice monthly meet-ups for any women in the community around diverse activities ranging from exercise, crafts, cooking and discussion groups.

Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting. Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant St., Lewiston.

FMI: 207-753-9040, mmillhime@wmca.org.

Taysir Jama