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Meeting |
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Report |
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March 6, 2007 |
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A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE By John Galles David Anderson opened the program by talking about Rotary District Governor Joe Morris recruiting him to take part in the district leadership team and specifying that he wanted David to head up a mission trip to Arequipa and Alto Cayma, Peru. When David first announced the trip at Rotary, he received over 60 expressions of interest within our club. When the dates and the cost were identified the group from Charlotte Rotary narrowed to seven members: Frank Martin, Warren Kean, Herb Harriss, Ed Wadsworth, Carol Hughes, Lamar Thomas and David Anderson. Including spouses, sons, and members from three other Rotary clubs, a total of 19 made the trip. Each participant recalled from his/her personal experience on the trip so that Charlotte Rotary members could appreciate the significance of the trip and the need for support to that community. Departing at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, the group set out on a 12 hour flight that landed in Lima, Peru at 11:30 p.m. They spent one night in Lima and then traveled to Arequipa. On the outskirts of Arequipa, they visited a community named Alto Cayma. Frank Martin came to the podium and described Father Alex, a Catholic priest from the St. John order with the purpose of reaching out to and supporting poor people. Father Alex joined this community with only a pick-up truck and has built a church, a medical clinic, a food service operation, and a jobs program; all that with a staff of about 50 people. This ministry to 28,000 people has examined what is important to creating a society where individuals are not only taught their rights, but also their responsibilities. Frank Martin called it a "remarkable ministry." Warren Kean spoke about Arequipa, a city with over a million people with 16% unemployed. Arequipa is bordered by Alto Cayma where poverty is rampant and unemployment is around 80%. It reminded him of "Grapes of Wrath" with desperate people in desperate circumstances. Using scraps of building materials to build shelter, access to water only 2 hours per day, and very little food, people often eat just one meal a week or only when they can find a job for the day. Despite all these obstacles, Warren described the people as kind, generous, gracious and decent, but it was clear that they experienced real pain in their lives. Herb Harriss talked about sponsorship programs and listed several. For $20 per month, a child or elderly person can be fed for a month. For $20 to $30 per month, a child can be provided with an education. Similar contributions can support individuals with health care or dental care. They are seeking donations for an orphanage. Herb called the trip an experience they would never forget. Ed Wadsworth addressed some of their trades and occupations. He told a story about Rotarian Jim Calder who purchased a bag of 100 finger puppets and how he passed them out to children and brought smiles to so many faces. The puppets were created in a knitting shop. Ed encouraged everyone to find time for a trip to this country soon. Carol Hughes described a card making shop where women are encouraged to begin building a life. She said that average wages are $3 to $4 per day, but the cards can be sold for $4 to $5 each and so a woman can catapult to making $15 per day with the right distribution and sales support. She told that many women suffer from domestic abuse and substance abuse. Programs like the card making shop and the knitting shop are truly inspirational. Lamar Thomas was amazed at how Rotary leverages its contributions. He was so impressed by the facilities at the orphanage and for volunteers. He talked about the needs of the police including transportation, radios and computers. He, too, was impressed by the children and the joy they expressed. David Anderson wrapped up the presentation saying that they had only scratched the surface and that we would all learn more about a major project that might be developed around providing and improving the water supply to this community. Stay tuned, we will all learn more soon! Head Table: Ed Wadsworth, Warren Kean, Luther Moore, David Anderson, Frank Martin, Herb Harriss, Carol Hughes; Invocation: Lamar Thomas Visitors & Guests: John Nicolay; Health & Happiness: Tony Zeiss; Song: Thomas Moore
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Copyright © 1998-2007. The Rotary Club of Charlotte. All rights reserved.
Revised: January 24, 2008.