April 14, 2009
Today was an occupational/vocational day. I visited with Dr Amanda Claassen, Director of Programs and Sandi Van Zyl, manager of for a company call Virgin Life Care – they gave me an interesting three-hour presentation on the services provided in the wellness arena throughout South Africa. The wellness program presented by these ladies was very similar to products and services of wellness companies in the United States, but with more personal involvement with the consumer. They are very customer service directed, and have set us a group of providers throughout South Africa and made arrangements for improvement to be monitors at pharmacies throughout the Country. The are also involved with an impressive program with a pharmaceutical company that treat schizophrenics and those with affective disorders and have impressive outcomes with this very difficult group of clients.
They have a phenomenal utilization of 25% by clients of companies with whom they are involved. They provide telephonic coaching, internet based access to services, encourage participants to be weighed and diet monitored by coaches. They provide pedometers for all participants and those employees download the information obtained to personal computers and the internet for ongoing evaluation of their health status.
This vocational visit was interesting and similar to what one person stated as “this field is a cousin to EAP services.” We did discuss how our firm provides similar services but, of course, we work in the behavioral and emotional health, leadership training and critical incident response areas.
It is interesting to note that while we were out for lunch – I once again fell on the steps while going up and scraped my leg. Those of you that know me are not surprised by this knowledge that I am not as graceful as one would hope. Ballet would never be my calling. Nothing is broken yet – so today is a success!
This evening we will give our first presentation to the Rotary Club of Hout Bay. All of the other team members are out at this moment with on vocational visits as well. BJ and Barbara are at the City of Cape Town and Jenny is visiting the Red Cross Children’s hospital Trust and Sarah is at Mary Land – I think it is a place to teach children reading in disadvantaged areas.
We will be late this evening and so this will be my last entry today –
April 15, 2009
Another amazing day! But first let me speak of the Rotary Club of Hout – we did our first presentation last night at this wonderful and warm club. The fun, good spirits and dedication to Rotary was amazing. Each of the team members has passports to travel outside of the town given to us by the president of the club – that makes it official. Otherwise we would have not been allowed to return to our host’s home last night.. Thank you to all of the wonderful members of this club and I want to apologize for speaking so much we kept you from the “second floor entertainment.” You truly are kind people.
Now for today: It was a day of high emotion for me and the rest of the team. The first project we visited was a program call INCLUDID (Inclusive living for people with intellectual disabilities). The staff and clients were so kind and gentle with one another. Each person in this community contributes to the well being of the other residents. Some cut ribbon, others, paper, others strip flowers to make lavender pouches to sell. They work in the garden that helps self-sustain the residents. I have a DVD for club meetings that I will show to clubs when I return.
This visit was especially emotional for me because of memories of my sister – Leta Sue. Most of you know that Leta was challenged as well and died a few years ago. I loved her very much and in these people today her memory became very strong. Their caring and loving behaviors reminded me of the love I had and have for my sister.
I hope to find ways to help with this program – it moved me deeply.
Our second stop today was at the Noncena Family Counseling Center where we learned more about Ashley Kaimowitz. Her father – Jeffery welcomed us and told us of his daughter’s story and the very important Ashley Kaimowitz Memorial Fund. Unfortunately after Ashley made a movie that has helped hundreds of lives so successfully she even got the Japanese involved in the project during a Rotary Youth Exchange experience – she was killed by a drunk driver in Cape Town. This center does some of the most important work in the world. Ashley produced a video and movie that can be seen at the e-rotary club of the SW website or go to http://www.recswusa.org/ashley.asp or ask me to present at your club when I return – I promise you will not be disappoint in learning about this wonderful young lady and the legacy she has left for the children of rape and violence.
Then to top of a great afternoon we traveled to Illitha Pre- school. It was so wonderful meeting these 98 children at this day care. They are loved, cared for, educated and socialized. It was so much fun spending time with these children. Rotary cares for these children by donating clothes, books, toys, occasionally food, for this program. The director told me that without Rotary they would not exist and these children would be left without anything.
I am so proud of Rotary and District 9350 and humbled to be part of this organization. Clubs in district 5500 have donated to Nonceba Counseling Center and INCLUDID. Way to go gang we are saving lives all over the world.
Tonight we will present to the Rotary Club of Sea Point – These fine people have been our hosts the past several nights and I look forward to honoring them with our expressions of gratitude. It seems so little for all they have done for us.
I do not know if I will have computer access at my next home – but will blog again as soon as possible.
Monday 13 April 2009
Whew! What an airplane ride. We left Tucson at 6:30 in the morning on Saturday and arrived in Cape Town, Sunday at 9:00 PM. It was a long trip but the trip was made much more comfortable by having a great team of GSE members and I find it necessary to comment on the drug Ambien. Thank you to Smith, Kline and French or whatever company makes this miracle drug!
Jenny and I are sharing a home with Rodney and Mavis Mazinter – what kind people – they hosted a party for us this evening and had many of the people from the district attend. Our host families’ home over looks the Atlantic Ocean and you can hear the wonderful sound of the surf in the background. I want to give a special thank you to Gavin Schachat for driving BJ, Jenny, Sarah and me around today. They (the hosts) had not arranged a trip to Robben Island but made impromptu plans for us.
We (Deb and I) hosted the Japanese team last year and know how a few small changes are very difficult – thank you to everyone for taking such good care of us.
Gavin was kind enough to take us to two Rotary Projects today – a beautiful park for children and a “blue train” that is a railroad for children and a fund raiser for the Sea Point Rotary Club. We also traveled to Hout Bay today – very beautiful and scenic location overlooking the ocean and with large cliffs. Much of the road in the area is closed secondary to erosion and rock slides. It leaves the area looking pristine and unaltered. Later went to the wharf and eventually to Robben Island. It was my third trip to the Island but I never grow weary of learning about the political atmosphere that this wonderful country has struggled with over the years.
This evening all of the host families, as well as, Eion Brown and Jackie James hosted a dinner for us at the home of Rodney and Mavis. A great braai (BBQ). It never ceases to amaze me how kind, generous and fun Rotarians are – they demonstrate all the good qualities we look for in friends and associates.
The only thing that has not gone perfect so far is the District 5500 pins I ordered from Gerry White Pin Company have not arrived. We ordered them a very long time ago. My business partner, Don Jorgensen, will have them sent to us if they arrive soon. It is annoying but not the end of the world if they do not arrive.
Rodney and Mavis gave us a wonderful gift(s) – a book titled “Playing the Enemy” a book about Nelson Mandela and “The game that made a nation.” It was written by John Carlin and I understand it will soon be a motion picture! He also gave us audio tapes that describe the West Coast of South Africa and can be played while traveling. Mavis and Rodney are so very, very kind.
Tomorrow is a vocational day – we start our day early in the morning 8:30 and it will end late tomorrow evening – this I have learned will be a typical schedule while we visit District 9350.
Enough for today. Greetings to all my friends and family. Do not worry about us – this is a warm and gentle country and we are under the protective umbrella of the watchful eyes of Rotarians. We are in no risk and are being very well cared for!
Take care until next time!
Randy
Last night we had a great party at Nik and Gina’s home to welcome the incoming team and to celebrate the departure of our team. What great fun and excitement. We are so excited for the South African team from D – 9350. They (the team) arrived two days ago. They did not even look tired. I remember that they grow those South Africans to be hearty!
Each of the outgoing team members was awarded Paul Harris Fellowships from the Pantano Rotary Club. What a tremendous honor for them.
This will probably be my last blog before we leave Saturday AM. When we say AM it is really AM – our plane leaves at 6:20 AM and we are meeting at the airport at 5 AM. We live an hour from the airport and I have to shower before we leave. So at 3:30 I will arise and call each of you on the telephone to say goodbye. That is what friends are for – to tell you how much we care – especially in the middle of the night.
While I am gone my daughter is moving to Tucson. We will add to our list of family members in Tucson – she and her husband Ricky will have to learn to play music – or at least carry instruments (Ricky).
Take care everyone – more later!
4/1/09
This is my second entry. The team has now presented to the Rotary Club of Oro Valley and the Rotary Club of Marana. I could not be more proud of these teammates. Way to Go.
I have begun to think about how long we will be away from home, our work and friends. I know that I will miss Deb (my wife), Eleana (my daughter), friends and family but because I travel so much I understand that once we are into the actual trip and interacting with the good folks in D 9350 we will not miss our families more but completely engage in the process.
Packing is now the issue. Just how many banners can I carry – I have decided to purchase a bag in South Africa to bring back the wonderful treasures I find along the way.
Next Monday we will present to the leadership of the district as well as the incoming GSE team from South Africa – I can’t wait to meet them. We will be able to meet them both in the US and South Africa.
Thank you to all of you that have blogged already – you are the best! Randy
March 2009: Final team meeting including a visit from DG Tom Tilton
Dear Reader,
We are preparing to go to South Africa Rotary D - 9350 where we will learn about different cultures, business and the good works of Rotary in South Africa. It will be an experience that none of us will soon forget - if ever.
I am so proud of the young, intelligent and creative team we have put together. Jenny, Sarah, BJ and Barb are wonderful people that will give nothing but positive impressions to our host district and represent our clubs as you would want to be represented. I am pleased with each and every one of these talented young professionals
After our South Africa experience I will be continuing on to Zimbabwe. The purpose of continuing the travel is to visit a project my home club: The Rotary Club of Marana and the Rotary Club of Casa Grande have been supporting - providing water and a garden for vegatables in Victoria Falls. I will also have the chance to visit the Rotary Club of Victoria Falls and a young man named Bryson whom several members of my club and spouses have been helping in his quest to complete college (a difficult goal in Zimbabwe at this time).
So we are preparing to travel - Thank you D-5500 leadership and peers for giving me an opportunity to travel and lead these young people. Thank you to our families for encouaging us to travel on this adventure, thank you to all my peers in Rotary for teaching me about how to be a Rotarian.
Thank you, Deb, for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams.
This is my first blogging experience so please understand my errors.
More later!
RSS Feed