Rotary GSE to South Africa 2009 - Randy's Blog

Final Post in the Blog - Thanks Everyone

Wed, 27 May 2009 16:33:30 -0800

May 5 – 11, 2009

I feel remiss in not writing in the blog for so long but we have been so busy and then access to the internet was interrupted – so please take my apologizes my friends and I will whatever this mind – as limited as it is – can remember.

We arrived in Beaufort West by a wonderful woman named Alta. She was a gem during the entire visit and made sure we were well taken care of during the week. We were taken to our various homes for the next several days. What a group of wonderful people they picked us up and thank you to Peter Gibbs for such a nice time in your home.

My host family at Beaufort west was Mathida van Kiekerk and her husband Francoise. Great people and hosts. We attended braai’s nearly every night – met some real “party animals” (I say this in a loving way) and were taken very, very good care of during our visit.

While in Beaufort West we met nearly all of the Rotarians involved locally – and a driver that we all fell in love with! He is about my age and getting married in two weeks. He was full of laughter and actually found humor in my jokes.

The club is a young club and very energetic and wanting to make a difference in the community. We were escorted to a home for the aging (I do not have access to the name at the moment – I am sitting in my room in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe without notes trying to remember – I am sure I will offend someone by forgetting names but am doing my best.

Back to the sights – we traveled to a National Park where we saw – in the wild – at least 10 different animals – including varieties of Springbok, reindeer, zebra, kudu and other animal species. The morning tour was very, very cold for us desert dwellers! The driver provided a warm blanket for each of us to take the bite off the cold. It was a beautiful morning watching the sunrise in Africa – it just does not get much better than that.

We presented at the Rotary Club to a very enthusiastic club in the evening. Again – such nice people. We had another Braai – it was very great – although the meal was very late for us – I think around 9:30 or 10 before we ate. I met a nice couple from the UK that are in Rotary in Spain and travel the world working on and visiting Rotary Projects.

My host (BJ was with the same hosts) Mathida and Francoise were very kind. The last night we were there they had a braai with all the host families attending. It was a great opportunity to discuss with everyone what America is like and learn more about this wonderful community. The community is going through changes. A mining company has purchased many of the local farms with mineral rights and is planning to mine for uranium in the future. Many are looking at this as an economic boost for the area – others are worried that this may upset the water in the area. They described that the incident of cancer is higher on the side of town that they plan to mine and expressed concern about contaminating the water.

Mathida is a lawyer and was busy in court while we were there but when she could she met us for lunch and dinner. Francoise – her husband – is a school teacher and seems to love his work with the children.

We spent one afternoon, evening and day with a local farmer. What a nice man – he is a Rotary member that is not always able to make meetings but hosted the entire team for the night. He took us bowling – lawn bowling. It was such great fun. Our team made up of Barbara, Jenny and I (and a guy from Spokane, Washington) beat a team consisting of Sarah, BJ, and a local farmer that holds safaris on his land, and another guy from Spokane. Se here we are half the world away from Tucson playing a game of lawn bowling with two guys that live in the town where I was raised. Amazing to say the least.

The next day our host took us on an extensive tour of his property – 22,000 acres of property where he raises sheep for harvesting and cattle. It was interesting in that the cattle he raises are adapted well to the desert and survive well. He also has a business on the farm where people can come and hunt spring Bok and Kudu. We drove around and collected seven kudu that has been shot by hunters and took the corpse back to the house to be cleaned. It was interesting and we were not required to shoot anything – much to the relief of the team.

The next day – Friday the 6th we were taken to the conference in Oudshoorn – another county town that hosted the distinct 9350 conference. There was a mix up when we arrived – no one was ready for us – and not expecting us so people started taking us out for coffee – they grabbed our bags and we did not have the ability to appropriately thank our sponsors and host families before they returned to Beaufort West. We were terribly sorry that we were unable to say goodbye and that the confusion created some hard feelings with out hosts. Those of you that read this blog please not that no one intended on hurting any feelings and we wanted very much to say goodbye properly.

The team attended a few sessions at the conference but really concentrated in presenting to the conference a farewell thank you to our wonderful hosts, guides, Rotarians that had showed us projects. At the last session we awarded $1,500 to two projects. One was for a place for the developmentally disabled called Includid and another for a day care and entry level school called Alita. It was a very nice presentation where the team asked that I down play our part and make a simple presentation and thank you. I followed their wishes and the presentation was made up primarily of photographs of the projects, Rotarians and families with whom we visited.

One of the most fun experiences on the entire trip was the dinner on Saturday night at the conference. They had this band play which included a violin, accordion, lead guitar, rhythm guitar and a drummer. The violinist and the accordion player were two amazingly strikingly beautiful women – but then they played – the music was amazing – so clear fund and powerful. I purchased several CDs to take home and purchased one for every member of the team – except BJ who actually purchased one for me – thanks so much BJ it was very kind.

While at the conference we once again met the German team – nice people and we felt a strong kinship with them because they were traveling with us from time to time and know the pressures of moving from one home to the next without a lot of sleep and rest. One member of the German team had to leave and go home after her mother had a stroke. We felt bad that she was unable to finish the week.

We also hooked up with the South African team to Arizona and that was nice seeing them. They presented the same time we did at the conference and described how much they enjoyed being in Arizona.

The last day of the conference Graham Todd took me to his home in Cape Town for the night and I met his spouse: Valda. They were very kind and visited thought the evening he sharing his experiences in Arizona as the team leader and me with my thoughts about Rotary programs in D 9350.

Today I was up early, the entire team came to Grahams’ home where we organized our bags and headed in mass to the Alit a school – the project that we donated $1,000 of the !,500 donated to the community. We met the children again, gave hugs to the staff (volunteer mothers) and to the director. Then off to the airport. The team caught their flights home with Jenny taking one of my bags with her for my wife to collect. Jenny is so wonderful – she was the unofficial leader of the team – so much strength and grace. Barb was so fun and moved by the experience of this past month. BJ was the heart of the team – making sure everyone was happy and constantly offering food. Sarah was the most quiet yet fully engaged and thankful for this experience.

Everyone spoke of the quality of our team from district 5500. The maturity, compassion, fun-loving personalities. They always wanted to pitch in and help at homes where we were fed a catered to. This was an amazing adventure for me. I learned about these wonderful team members, the Rotarians of 9350 – the amazing warmth of the distinct and found several opportunities to return and volunteer for an extended time. I will be back to see all of you wonderful people. So are so wonderful and kind.

Thank you to our district – Governor Tom Tilton – the committee and especially Anne Cook, thank you to the leadership and members of Rotary in District 9350 and to my team. You made this trip something that I will always remember. You were absolutely perfect in my mind. A special thank you to Jackie James for working so hard to make this GSE exchange perfect. You succeeded in your efforts.

May 12, 2009

I am now in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, writing this blog. I have met Bryson and his wife Grace at the airport. They both look healthy – although Bryson has lost some weight.. They received the gifts of money, computers, and jewelry and were tearful in the excitement of obtaining these modest gifts. They expressed their appreciation to Don, Kathy, Deb, and Burma for these gifts.

In the evening I went to the local Victoria Falls Rotary Club board meeting where I learned they have five major projects going – these are very hard works and diligent in the stewardship of the funds sent by various organizations. I watched as they thoughtfully decided which projects to fund, how it would get done, and how to pull in other community leaders to participate. Bryson has been an honorary member of the Victoria Falls Rotary Club and I am told by the president he will be made a member very soon because of his efforts on the project. I am proud of him!

I spoke to the president who tells me the visit to our project on Thursday will be attended by the local governmental officials, many of the twenty families that have been working on this project, and Rotarians. This is a huge project for the community and they are very excited. Way to go Rotary Club of Marana and Rotary Club of Casa Grande – you have made a difference and as the president kept saying – we have made dreams real!

In the evening we went to a restaurant called Makuwa-Kuwa a four-star restaurant. As we dined we watched elephants and buffalo drink at a watering hole – it was illuminated by light. What a treat. I thought of the team and how disappointed I was that they did not see the big five up close. They all said they were coming back – then they will do a proper safari. The food was good but the time spent with Bryson and Grace was precious. I feel like they are my children and they struggle everyday to stay afloat in this horrible economy. I find people from Zimbabwe to be very giving, gentle and kind. Especially Bryson and Grace.

May 13, 2009

Today is a special day. Bryson will be picking me up soon to go to the falls at Victoria Falls, then shopping at the market that I enjoyed.

This evening he is having me at his home for dinner where I will meet his mother, brothers, cousins, nephews – I am very excited about being invited into his home and meeting with the family. Who knows, music may even break out.

I have lost all connection to the Internet and my phone is not working either – I will find an Internet café to let people know that I am safe. More later today.

May 14, 2009

Dinner at Bryson and Grace’s home. What a treat! I met all of Bryson and Graces extended family, had wonderful meal, played music and fell in love with these wonderful people. Thank you for such a special night!

I am sorry to report that Grace fell ill after my last entry – and did not spend the day with me my last day in Africa. Bryson appropriately took care of his wife and I spent the evening with the president of the Victoria Falls Rotary and the clubs international committee director. The restaurant was “Mama’s African Restraint.” If you go to Victoria Falls I recommend it.

I want to comment on the Pamusha Lodge in Victoria Falls. The price was fair – they gave me a Rotary discount – the service was great and Wisdom – that is really his name – was great in looking after me and providing transportation whenever I needed it.

Bryson and Grace took me to the airport. I was very, very sad leaving Bryson and Grace and the good people of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. My heart is with them. I wish I could do more to help this community. I am sure that I will return to do more, in the name of Rotary, for this community. It is truly special.

May 27, 2009

I am home now and slammed back to the reality of work and illness. I have a slight cold – through my back out but have enjoyed seeing my wife, Eleana, and my family. While I was gone my daughter Jennifer moved to Tucson.

I met with the GSE team and learned we all miss South Africa and hope to return.

I have been at the office all this week – and miss Africa terribly. It is such a great experience visiting people, learning about them and finding that anything you do, no matter how small, makes a difference for people around the globe. I am proud of the GSE team, their kindness and maturity. I am proud of Rotary for all it does to help others. I am proud of the Marana Club, the Casa Grande Club and their members for helping in Victoria Falls.

This is my last blog – thank you all for sharing this experience with me.

Randy

Looks like the first post worked!

Mon, 04 May 2009 13:38:35 -0800

Going Hunting? With a Rifle? Maybe!

Mon, 04 May 2009 13:36:11 -0800

May 3 and 4, 2009

The trip to Knysna was very beautiful. Peter and Collean gave us a ride most of the way – we stopped for transfer to a Knysna Rotary Club member at a gasoline stop and gift shop. It was amazing for me - it was the same store that last year Deb (my wife), Don (my business partner), Kathy his spouse, along with our friends on the tour last year – Burma, her friend, Thomas Mangold and his spouse that we purchased elephant dong stationary! It was fun having that memory and being slightly grossed out about the paper – but buying it anyway.

We overlooked the “head” of the Knysna port, visited a luxury hotel (Tom I spent the day with Elwin the governor and he is still waiting for your commitment on a date to visit Knysna) and took many beautiful photographs. We travelled to a great location for lunch and visited with really great Rotarians – it was a very relaxing day.

We then drove to a mountain top for tea – but it was closed. We drove back to the pick up spot to wait for Peter and Collean and one of our hosts arrived in the parking lots with individual pies for each of us because we had missed tea. I really like the Rotarians in this part of the world. They are very passionate about Rotary, give of their time and money and have wonderful senses of humor.

We had a quiet dinner at home last night – I offered to take my hosts to dinner and they asked that we stay home. I was actually glad – tired from running around so much and ready to simply be quiet.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Today the pace picked up again. First thing this morning Charles from the George Rotary Club picked us up and took us to Phambili – a center for women that are battered and abused. It is a great program that includes counseling, therapy, education, protection, and efforts are made on the behalf of the center to find work for these women. Most were out for the day but we did see a few beautiful children to whom I was able to give a few necklaces.

Charles then took us to George Child and Family Welfare Society. This place is very together! They offer and evaluate children and families for dysfunctional processes in the home, arrange foster care when needed, do job training, run therapy groups, case management, deliver food for those that are hungry and do it all within their budget. They have English and German benefactors that help significantly. I really liked their attitude and commitment. We purchased gifts in the shop that sells items made by their clients.

We then went to the Mzoxolo Primary School for kids from kindergarten to 7th or 8th grade. It is a good school with an assistant principle that is impassioned about the needs of the students. He invited us to return in an hour and listen to the choir sing. We left and visited Nompumelelo Educate Centre a pre-school. The children sang and danced for us – we played with them for an hour and then returned to Mzoxolo and listened to the magnificent voices of the children. I commented on how I do not understand how parents and relatives can abuse and hurt these beautiful children. It is so sad. And their voices were wonderful. The harmony and tones are so clear and strong. Very different than our music. Some notes make you want to cry – it was very nice.

The team was wanting “South African Junk Food” so we went to Timber Wolf Spur for lunch – it is a SA place that is trying to be American – very funny menu. We overdosed on fatty food for lunch and then went to buy black and white clothes for an informal affair this next Saturday night at the district Rotary Conference. We had 30 minutes to find what we needed and to make it to the car.

We then came to my hosts home to change clothes – I then learned something that I did early on in our trip that is very embarrassing and funny at the same time.

Three weeks ago we were at a braai (our first) and I was taking photographs of Rotary members. I took one gentleman’s photograph and looked at the image in my camera. I then stated, “I must take the picture again – you will not like it – Your eyes make you look like you are insane.” I then took the photograph again and it looked fine. Standing next to me when I made the comment was Barb (of our team). She told me today that the man I made that comment to was legally blind. I HAD NO IDEA. It was so inappropriate and rude I flushed and started laughing – not at the man – but at me for being such an idiot. He never said anything that evening and the team had kept the mistake from me. Whew – sometimes it seems that it would be best to simply lock me in my room!

This evening we presented to the George Rotary Club – B.J left early to see how Hanna is doing, and Jenny left with a bad headache. We are doing very well overall and all are pleased that it will not be long before we go home.

I do not know if we will have internet service again for the next several days but if we do we will continue to post our impressions and thoughts.

So now I must end for the night and pack for our adventure to the inland part of South Africa. We will now visit game farms, bowl (very different than in the US) and go hunting – that’s right. The team wants to go hunting. Especially Barb – she is very excited about the prospect of hunting down an animal and shooting it.

Good night everyone. Be safe and happy.

Saturday Night - Another Post

Sat, 02 May 2009 14:05:29 -0800

May 1 – 2, 2009

We drove to a small community in a region that is very much like Spokane and the Palouse area of Washington State. Rolling wheat fields, punctuated by small forests, and actually not completely like Washington because we pulled over to take a photograph of two elephants in the middle of a field.

The Rotary Club of Swellendam hosted us at the presidents, Paula, home for a wonderful meal and visited with the good people of this Rotary Club. I cannot say thank you enough for all the fun we had in Hermanus. It was a difficult time for some of the team – all of us actually – we really never get use to seeing people that are so very ill, poor, hungry and desperate. Being poor in Africa (and South America) is not like being poor in the US. It breaks your heart to see the pain.

Anne sent a note to me and a copy to one of our teammates stating that the purpose of the exchange is to experience the pain, feel the hurt and then to do something about it. Our job - at least mine - is to convince others to want to help – to use the foundation to improve the lives of others in Africa. Granted it becomes overwhelming – because we will not be able to save all of them – maybe none of them – but more likely a few and then a few more and then a few more. It is really like the shell fish story – it matters to the one we save.

After lunch with the Swellendam Club we traveled to George. We are now at our new homes. I am being hosted by Peter ands Collean Gibbs. They are a very nice couple that are active in the Rotary Club of George. We had a pleasant evening at their home last night. What a beautiful home! They live in a huge home with several acres of manicured lawns (garden in South Africa), gardens and appealing views. The first night at a stranger’s home is always awkward. But we cut through the discomfort by discussing difficulties in both of our countries with drugs, alcoholism, immigration, race relations, and politics. Peter and Collean have flown to the US on numerous occasions and they actually purchased an airplane in the states several years ago.

Today we went to a small town called Mossel Bay with Jacob van Reenen. We visited the Da Gama museum that educated us about the history of the Afrikaans settling in this area. It was very much like a museum you might see regarding the Mormons trek across the US. Clothing, wagons, attitude and tenacity seemed very familiar. Later we visited the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex in Mossel Bay. This museum is dedicated to Dias whom was the Portuguese explorer that found this area. For dinner we met with Ian and Ferdi Rowan at the Fancourt Country Club for a very nice Italian dinner. B.J. is staying with the Rowan’s and joined us as well.

Today was a relaxing day – so will tomorrow be relaxing. We are traveling to Knysna and will be hosted by the Knysna Club in visiting this very picturesque town.

It is interesting we have not had a lot of time to be together as a team. We have bonded very well and would like more time together rather than less time.

Governor Tom sent an e-mail to me this evening congratulating us on our efforts. We have received many congratulatory statements from people as we travel regarding our “professional” presentation. The latest was from a PDG in Hermanus that wrote in his newsletter to his club a note saying that our presentation was the best he had ever seen by a GSE team. What a great compliment – thank you so much, PDG Tony!

I will go to bed now – and again – I will write in the blog when I have a chance. Regards to everyone back home and those of you following us on this journey around Southwest South Africa.

Back At It!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:39:24 -0800

Normal 0 April 29, 2009 – April 30, 2009

I really hope people are reading this blog. If not it is a good reminder of what we did on this adventure – so either way I guess we win!

Today was an emotional and difficult day. We visited with the Hermanus Rainbow Trust – a wonderful organization that provides help to people in many different ways. Our escort for the day was Vivienne Owen – Chairperson and a coworker (and Rotarian Audrey Leggett.

First we visited a pre-primary school in Zwelihle and Masizakhe Educate Centre. These programs are focused on the needs of preschool age children. If you do not pay attention to these children they are behind when they go to a proper school by several years – so preschool is very important in this area. We also visited Masizakhe Educare Center. The need at the Grade R Pre-primary School is a roof for a hexagon shaped building at the site.

We met with people at the Khanya Educate Center where the children sang beautifully for us. African voices have a harmony that is so very beautiful – the kids are striking in appearance and the staff very dedicated.

We visited a Geriatric Center – it is a day care for adults and they are offered a meal, TV and a chance to socialize. I gave each of the older people and the staff necklaces – they appreciated it very much.

We then traveled to the Gansbaai Clinic where we met with a nursing coordinator who is an amazing woman. She took us to a home of a woman that is dying from TB – we met her family and a neighbor that was stabbed and shredded by her husband from her pubic area to her throat. This was a year ago. They were able to save her and believe it or not she intends to go back to her husband when he gets out of prison.

We traveled then to the home of a man dying of cancer – we have to remember this is a medical clinic and the people we met are the people they deal with every day and with limited resources.

We then traveled to a dump where people including children were “mining” for plastic, glass and other things of value in the dump. It was very depressing and sad to see people rummaging for food.

We drove through squatter camps and visited homes – one where a woman was a seamstress. The attitude of the people in these camps and homes is remarkable – they seem – for the most part – to be positive and appreciate of even small gestures of kindness.

We visited Zewelihle Red Cross Orphans and Vulnerable Children project where the children once again sang for us. Again the voices are amazing. I made a video that I will figure out how to play later.

I moved into the home of Des and Lillian Collins – what wonderful and gracious people! We had dinner with Tony and his wife – the PDG from this area. It was a great dinner prepared by Des and Lillian. I slept like a baby after this great dinner.

April 30, 2009

Today we visited two projects Overstrand Learning Academy – this is a great school with whites and blacks attending. They only have 12 students in each class (at most) and give a good deal of individual attention. The headmaster was a wonderful woman and spent the whole morning with us. Several of the team visited individual classes that were being taught.

We then visited HIK Abalone Farm. They produce 5 million abalone at this facility each year. It takes 3 – 5 years to produce one abalone. Most of their product is shipped to Japan or China. The owner wants desperately to develop a relationship with the USA and is working towards that goal.

We spent two hours at this center and then the team had a quick beer before going to the respective homes to prepare to present at the Rotary Meeting of Hermanus this evening.

We will move in the morning – to a new town – and new friends. We are back on the hunt again after our one and a half day break.

Do not worry family and friends about the swine or Mexican flu. We are all in good shape and no symptoms. Only one person (that we know of) has symptoms in South Africa. We are all healthy and having a great time.

I will write again in a few days. Until then …………………………………..

Whew!

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:20:31 -0800

Tuesday - Whew – a break in the activities; Rest!

Yesterday afternoon we arrived in this beautiful community (Hermanus) in Southern Africa it is so very beautiful! We ate dinner at a restaurant last night and stayed up until about one in the morning speaking about our experiences, impressions and ways that we feel it may be possible to help in our own way to the pain in this country. It was the first time we had a chance to discuss among ourselves our impressions and goals. A big thank you to the Hermanus Rotary Club for giving us this break and such a nice place to stay last night and tonight!

We have a few ideas but want it to be a surprise so will not speak much about it in this blog.

A few of you have asked (Jeremy) about the elections in SA. The ANC won the election by about 66% - overwhelming by any measure. The DA party came in second nationally and first in this part of South Africa we are visiting. This area is made up of whites, Dutch, Afrikaans and Blacks. It is different that many other places. Most of the blacks voted for the ANC – the concern for many white South Africans is that the majority party could change the constitution – so they are nervous.

Today we walked, shopped, and now are at a restaurant where they have internet access. The day is beautiful and comfortable. We are staying in a very large house with five bedrooms without any hosts. It is very nice having a break from all the action and simply laughing, talking, walking and having fun.

I really like these team members. I think that two of the four will join Rotary within the next six months. I hope they all join when able. I know it is hard for younger people to join an organization like ours. Each of them would make tremendous additions to any club they join.

Tomorrow we are back into the grind again – visiting projects, staying at Rotarians homes and giving presentations.

You are all on my mind and I think of you all the time. Thanks for reading the blog – it makes the effort worth it!

Until next time …………………………………………

New Information for YOU

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:45:56 -0800

Thursday April 23 – 2009 – Saturday April 25, 2009

Thursday

In the morning we visited a project called Bizweni – a day care for disadvantaged children. It is funded by benefactors and the local Rotary Club (Helderberg). The children were certainly in need and beautiful – one boy was nearly blind but wanted me to put my camera right up to his face so he could see the image. He laughed and was so very pleased that he could see. Another two children at this center were of note. A young boy was several emotional, psychologically and physically handicapped – twisted bones, unable to communicate and in dire straights. His twin sister is also at the center. She had never uttered a word in the household (her mother’s home) but once she joined this program and started receiving a little attention began to chat and interact with others. The woman running this program was very sweet and kind – she asked for nothing. She got into this project because she adopted an impaired child and found the need to be so great she opened a center and now is serving and helping scores of children.

Visited a project called “Eagles Rising,” today. It is a place for blacks and presumably “colored” people that are high school graduates from the townships to go and live for a year. The purpose of the school is to develop spiritually, as well as socially and find ways to be employable. One person was not good at studies but could sing – they ended up singing with an orchestra in Johannesburg. They try and find the best way to support a child and the plan is specific to the needs of that particular child.

Eagles Rising was very Christian based. This is not a bad thing and one of the tour guides made a point to point out that one of the students is a Muslim but it is very Christian based. The ground, are beautiful, with a nice swimming pool. Women and men are housed separately, and the founder (she was not in today) has a large separate residence. The boys in the center are kids that have resisted joining gangs and the woman have been sexually abused or live in fear of rape. This country – these townships are very sad. This is a great project opportunity for a religious group.

In the evening we attended the Rotary Club of Strand for a social evening. It was a quiet and pleasant evening. My host family, Trish and Barrie, attended with me. I don’t know if I have mentioned that Barrie and Trish’s son is married to an American woman named Tiffany – she is a singer of note and they seem very proud of her. She lives with their son in Nashville. Trish was kind enough to cut me a CD.

Friday, April 24, 2009

This was a very busy day – it was a vocational day for the team but me and Gunter (the German team leader) were accompanied by Trish for the much of the day. The following are the projects and activities in which we participated:

Community Day-Care Centre Sir Lowry’s Pass: We drove to a soup kitchen in a pass near by. We met a remarkable woman – several years ago she was on a stipend from the government. She decided to use her stipend to make soup for her hungry co residents of the township. People would start lining up at 4 AM in hopes of getting a little soup at 11 AM. She started fundraising and now has a building that was (in the past) a railroad station. She now feeds 400 people at both breakfast and lunch. She has a bright smile and great warmth about her. She also allows the room between meals to be used by teachers who work with adults to learn Africons and English.
We went to a medical clinic named Macassar – Community Health Centre and there we met Laura - a remarkable young white occupational therapist. She gave me a tour and during the tour she showed me a coffee shop in the facility ran by a woman that has developmental issues.

The coffee shop is called EQUA – Libra Coffee Shop. There was no way to make coffee or tea in this shop! The two burner heater had been stolen – she was selling potato chips from a bag. The woman went on to tell us that if she had a convection oven, a heater and a deep fryer she could have a successful business but that it may not happen. She also cooks at this little shop soup with vegetables from the garden. She was upbeat and very kind while we were speaking.

I asked Trish to take me to an appliance store when we left the center and I purchased a convection oven with two burners on the top as well as a deep fat fryer for her business... Trish will deliver it this Tuesday. It is nice to be able to make a little (very little) impact for such a small price.

We went to the Hector Peterson Memorial Library where children of all ages were working very hard on their studies – and working on computers. All the negative things we have seen and in the middle of the project were these children working at 4:30 in the afternoon on studies and learning. I was very pleased.

Next we went to a labor museum where we learned about the displacement of families in order that the men could work in the mines (DeBeers) in the area. Our guide was very passionate about the problems facing the workers and the problems in the community.

We visited Khanyolwethu High School were we visited a lab of 60 computers donated by Rotary Clubs in the area. The school was very clean and comfortable.

We then visited EmfundesweniPre-PrimarySchool and one of the most impressive gardens I have ever seen! What a great job by this woman. She works in an eco-friendly way to harvest rain water as well as using the slope of the land to use water in a constructive manner. She is very enthusiastic and articulate about these children and her work.

We visited an AIDS orphanage in the late afternoon – one of the cottages where the children are houses is called Ubunto House and is funded by the Rotary Foundation in cooperation with clubs in the UK, Germany and Gordon’s Bay

To top off the day we went to a very fine restaurant L’auberge du Paysan and presented to the Somerset West RC, Strand RC, Helderberg RC, Helderberg Sunrise RC and Gordon’s Bay Rotary Club with the German team. It was a lot of fun – and we once again had a great experience with the German team.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Today we visited Solms Delta Vineyard – I have to run to a party now – and will finish this blog in the morning!

The Vineyard was purchased by a clinical psychologist that was born in South Africa but moved to Great Britian. He returned to purchase a vineyard. The long and short of it is that he not only purchased the farm but also went out to find blacks and their families that had worked at the facility during slavery and apartied. He was successful in finding them – he then made arrangements, at his own financial risk, to have these people purchase shares in his business and they now own 33% of his business. He owns 33% and his partner 33%. He is a very impressive man.

I purchased a bottle of wine for my host family – took a tour of the facilities. The South Africans are very intrigued by me and the fact that I do not drink. I am fairly sure that they see this as a weakness – but as you all know I am not concerned with such matters.

Last evening we had another braai at the house. The GSE team had a “private” affair with the local Rotaract group and the leaders were asked to leave them alone. I am sure they had a great time.

At our braai – we had eight people (in addition to ourselves) and it was a very different tone than the Rotary braai’s I have attended. The jokes were a little racier – the drinking (except for me of course) was a little more active but the food was wonderful.

I did fail at my job as the BBQ team – Barrie “sacked” me because I was not paying enough attention – it was good natured and the South Africans do take BBQ seriously – it is important that you never give a SA resident (especially male) tips on how to cook the meat at a braai!

I will go now. I think we are taking the team to TableMountain this morning. It is the last chance we have to go to that location as we are beginning tomorrow to move inland. We have today been here two-weeks.

I am thinking more of home and how it will be nice to be somewhere that it is easier to hear people when then speak. Everyone here is wonderful but with my hearing loss it is very difficult to hear. Barrie and Trish have shown great patience with my constant “I’m sorry but I cannot hear you.”

Well enough for today. I hope this posts for me when I make the attempt in a minute. I

I will write again (hopefully) in a few days. It is always questionable if I will have Internet access or not. I have not been able to open my computer to outlook since arriving here – but luckily have my BlackBerry and am able to see my e-mail and write short notes back.

Take care – hope you are all well and happy!

:

More Excitement from South Africa

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:27:24 -0800

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Wonderful dinner with about 30 Rotarians at the Van der Lith home in Constantia outside of Cape Town. It was a wonderful braai and of course everyone was very welcoming and kind. The Van der Lith home is beautiful with wonderful gardens in a beautiful part of Cape Town.

On Saturday we had a great day as well. Traveled to Kirstenbosch Gardens with Di Thompson gave us a wonderful tour of the gardens. She arranged for a botanist to come in on her day off to give us a lesson on projects the garden is involved in throughout the townships. Tremendous gardening and restoration projects giving importance to beauty in the townships!

We then drove to HoutBay for a lunch at Fish on the Rocks – a quaint out door restaurant where you can have fish and chips or fish and chips. It was a wonderful afternoon – our tour guide was Biffy Dankwertz we took a charter boat to SealIsland – and then returned to HoutBay and drove to Groot Constantial Estate and toured the wine museum.

Saturday evening we (the team) was asked to join Bill and other Rotary members at the home of Kenny Van Aardt and Jenny to have a dinner. It was very nice the food traditional – it was a stew which the names escapes me. It is prepared in a three-legged pot over a slow burning fire. The meal was VERY tasty. We then played music. Kenny is a very good guitar play and singer. I played a few numbers as well and we held a sing along with those present. Shortly after we began singing they asked us to leave! No it’s not true – they were very kind and we had a great time.

I am writing this Sunday morning – preparing to leave for the day to Cape Point near where the Atlantic and IndianOceans meet. It is raining but we will have a great day anyway.

Sunday 19

I do not know what happened but my blog got messed up! I think I may have deleted part of it so will do a quick summary of these three days:

Sunday: Went to Cape of Good Hope escorted by Dr. Walter and Andy of the Point of Good Hope Rotary Club. Very nice men. We visited the land mark that marks the most southern/western point on the cape. It was vey cloudy and raining part of the time – but we walked to the light house anyway. What a great hike – I do love it. We had lunch near the headquarters of the SA navy and drove to KalkBay, Simons Town and Cape Point.

We visited an Abused Women’s Center, Library pre-school all supported in part by the Rotary Club of Good Hope. This is a great club.

We saw a few bus loads of people chanting for the ANC party – election in a few days. Most of the people we meet hope that the ANC does not get a 60% majority for fear that they will change the constitution of SA.

I took Andy and Liz out to dinner this evening. What a treat they like Italian so that what we got! I strolled the mall and found a few gifts.

Monday 20th

Cricket is over – the India team played there games here because of political unrest in their country. Traffic will now improve!

Visited the Sports science Institute of South Africa today and with a Dr. Tracy Kolbe-Alexander. She is very, very smart and kind! We toured the facility, met with a physician that is well known in the treatment of sports medicine and had lunch. Her story was very interesting to me. Her father is a very kind man that gives his time and limited income to those that are disadvantaged and in need of a spirit lift. She is a “colored” that wants no special measure of recognition. She feels that she must earn respect (and has) and would be upset if given anything because of her race.

She hoped that I would have time to meet with an industrial psychologist and her husband as well as children but it will not be possible.

This afternoon I had a few hours and have been working on photographs, (you will see them at some point) as well as working on my contact list.

I leave now to go to a Rotary Club of the Newlands to present with my team that has been out all day.

Addendum from Yesterday:

We had a great night with the Rotary Club of the Newlands. It was a long meeting – much longer than we have in the US – but what a great crowd of people. We received a warm reception and everyone seemed very interested about our district and the State of Arizona. At this meeting we had represenatives of the Newlands, Claremont, Kromboom and Table Bay Clubs. We also had a presentation by a city manager of Cape Town regarding musical and dance performances planned by disadvantaged children in the area. It is a great project to give these children self-esteem and confidence in many parts of their lives.

Tuesday – April 21, 2009

Today we were taken by bus from our host’s home to Melkbos and hosted by the Rotary Club of Melkbos. What a pleasant day – Angela and Joe escorted us to a museum that gave us the history of the Khewattu (Bushmen) natives. It is a sad history, not unlike what the Anglo’s did to the American Native Americans only perhaps more brutal. They were sold, slaughtered and taken into slavery. It was very sad.

After this tour we were taken to the home of Joe – a gentleman from England and his spouse. He served the best fish and chips ever! I was interested in moving in but saved him calling the police by leaving after lunch.

After lunch we were taken to the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station for an extended yet very interesting lecture on the plant, power, safety and hopes for the Reactor. The woman that presented was very knowledgeable, and kind. We also met one of the members of the outbound GSE team to Germany. She was very excited about her forthcoming trip to Germany.

It was sad to learn today that the president of the club and her spouse, Joe, are struggling with a daughter that had fallen from her wheelchair and is in the hospital this afternoon. Joe continued to show us a great time, irrespective of his pain and concern about the girl. We all wish the best to the family.

In the evening we attended the Rotary Club of Melkbos and presented to about 20 people. They too were very kind and receptive to our presentation. We arrived at a late hour back to our host homes and packed for our transfer tomorrow.

Wednesday April 22, 2009

We are now in Helderberg and I am being hosted by Trish and Barrie Smith. They are citizens of Great Britian and very kind. They have a lovely home on the side of a mountain which overlooks the downtown area as well as the Atlantic Ocean. After I unpacked they took me to a wonderful restaurant on the beach and then gave me a drive through the town and up the mountain.

Trish is now preparing food for a braai this evening at which Rotarians will attend but not the team. They are on their own with their individual host families tonight. I do understand that they may meet for dinner (a few of the families) but we will have a quiet evening at the house.

Tomorrow is a project day and I will visit about four or five projects dealing with hunger, literacy, AIDS. I will write about that tomorrow.

I am having a wonderful time – at times it is overwhelming – that is the extent of the need of the people in this country. However, I am heartened by the compassion and drive these Rotarians have to make a difference. They simply work harder and give more than we do in the US – at least in my district. It is not a value judgment – but they give more of their time and treasure to those that are struggling.

I wish that I could bring all of you here – to this place to help you understand the unbridled opportunity in this beautiful and struggling country.

Today is Election Day – The ANC will win again – and most of the people I have met (Anglo population) is hoping that enough voters turn out so that the ANC will not have enough votes to change the constitution. We visited a few voting booths today and found long lines (up to a block long) of people waiting to vote. I love Election Day – even in other countries!

Enough for today. I will write again soon.

Here is a photo with my new friends and Rolando the friendly ape we met at the Cape Town Botanical Gardens a few days ago:

Parties, Food and Music - O' Yes and Cape Point

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:47:43 -0800

Saturday, and Sunday April 18 - 19, 2009

Wonderful dinner with about 30 Rotarians at the Van der Lith home in Constania outside of Cape Town. It was a wonderful braai and of course everyone was very welcoming and kind. The Van der Lith home is beautiful with wonderful gardens in a beautiful part of Cape Town.

On Saturday we had a great day as well. Traveled to Kirstenbosch Gardens with Di Thompson gave us a wonderful tour of the gardens. She arranged for a botanist to come in on her day off to give us a lesson on projects the garden is involved in throughout the townships. Tremendous gardening and restoration projects giving importance to beauty in the townships!

We then drove to Hout Bay for a lunch at Fish on the Rocks – a quaint out door restaurant where you can have fish and chips or fish and chips. It was a wonderful afternoon – our tour guide was Biffy Dankwertz we took a charter boat to Seal Island – and then returned to Hout Bay and drove to Groot Constantial Estate and toured the wine museum.

Saturday evening we (the team) was asked to join Bill and other Rotary members at the home of Kenny Van Aardt and Jenny to have a dinner. It was very nice the food traditional – it was a stew which the names escapes me. It is prepared in a three-legged pot over a slow burning fire. The meal was VERY tasty. We then played music. Kenny is a very good guitar play and singer. I played a few numbers as well and we held a sing along with those present. Shortly after we began singing they asked us to leave! No it’s not true – they were very kind and we had a great time.

I am writing this Sunday morning – preparing to leave for the day to Cape Point near where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. It is raining but we will have a great day anyway.

Sunday afternoon – we traveled to Cape Point by the Rotarians of Cape Point Rotary Club. A great day filled with hiking, spectacular views, baboons and great food. Only a moment to type and must go.

The next few days will be very, very busy and I may not be able to post for a few days. I am thinking about all of you back home and especially about you Paul – stay

Two More Days of Adventure with Rotary

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:59:21 -0800

April 16 and 17, 2009

We moved on the 16th to our new homes – I am now with Andy and Liz Ismay – two very kind Rotarians of the Newlands Club. Andy is the incoming president of the club. We dropped off our suitcases at the various homes and then met to go to District 6 of Cape Town. This is an area where 35,000 residents were ordered to move to government housing – they all lost their home, sense of community, many jobs, and contact with friends. It was a tragic time in the history of South Africa – it happened all over the country – not just in District Six.

The museum was very interesting. We traveled from District Six to the government housing to some of the most beautiful homes in the area eventually finding our way to Lavender Hill School.

Lavender School is a school in a ghetto that struggles with trying to educate these underserved youth. The drop out rate is about 60%. Rotary is involved in a soccer field, providing services, books and vegetable garden for these students and family.

Jackie James and her significant other showed us around today. She is very kind and enjoys laughter. She is a previous GSE member and leader – what an extraordinary woman!

We presented at the Rotary Club of Wynberg last night – what a receptive group the Rotary Club of Constancia was there as well and a surprise visit from the District Governor – Karl and his spouse Ina were appreciated. Ina insisted that Ina Road in Tucson was named after her. We agreed and told her we would take care of insuring that everyone in Tucson understands her desire!

Friday – April 17, 2009

Today was another interesting day – they all are it seems. I had difficulty sleeping last night and so had little energy this morning. My first meeting was at a hospice called Saint Luke’s Hospice. The psychologist/minister I was to meet with had a conflict – he had to teach a class and so we only met for five minutes. I spent a few hours sitting in the lobby of the hospice. It was not a big deal – simply awkward.

Pat Steward and Corinne Hudson were our guides today and were very kind. After the hospice we went to a school called TSiBA – a degree program for business administration. What an amazing program. They work with the students to learn business in very innovative ways – and they are required to give back to the school and community in helping business grow and act as leaders in the community. It was wonderful the enthusiasm, excitement and dedication within this program by staff and students were remarkable. This may be a program I would like to support – unfortunately I did not meet the psychologist. She is a legend at the school helping the students, family and staff with many issues. I gave my card to the staff and asked that they have the psychologist contact me when she returns from her time away.

One student from this program – was awarded a Nelson Mandela Rhodes Scholarship! The school is only five years old. I love this school!

We had lunch at a small café in Khayelitsha. The food was basic yet tasty and sufficient. The staff gave all of us hugs as we walked in – the laugher from the staff and the kitchen was infectious.

We then visited Umtha Welanga – a program that offers foster services for AIDS orphans, training for those with AIDS, help for families. This project moved us as well and it is my intention to (along with many other DVDs of other projects) educate the clubs in D 5500 about opportunities to make a difference in this great country and district. Rad Fisher and Rodney Mazinter made a huge difference via of GSE programs and it is my wish to do the same – by following in their footsteps!

I did ask Pat - our coordinator – if she could arrange for me to visit with Human Resource people as we move along. I explained that EAP is closer associated with HR than with counselors – with the poverty, drug usage, marital problems, and AIDS issues it seems that I could be more effective in explaining what EAP is and does to some of these corporations!

I was able to give a gift of a bolo tie and necklace to Andy and Liz Ismay – they seemed to enjoy the gifts. They are kind people and tonight we will all go to a braai for the evening.

Tomorrow we will visit Kirstenbosch Gardens.