Rotary GSE from 7690 to 3830

click for more... jw
Chris, Ginger, Jo		"The flight to Detroit wasn't bad at all. Trekking through that airport was an event. It's so big. . . . Our flight from Detroit to Japan was late taking off. Detroit to Japan: I really had no idea how long and tiring flying for that long could be. The first 7 hours of flight were ok. It was when we realized that there was another 7 hours left..." -jw
Jamie, Ginger, Jo, Chris		"We all met for breakfast. I finally got in touch with home today. Everything is as normal there. My mom fusing with her grandchildren. It's great to know things go on as normal." -jw
Manila hospitality for Jo Williamson started here!	Our first day out in the Philippines. "We went to the stadium for the Rotaract Youth Olympics. Bill's birthday was the cause of a chorus of "Happy Birthday" by everyone attending." -jw
Jo and her host "mom" attend a breakfast meeting. The only breakfast club in the district and an all-female club as well.		In the background, if you could see it, is the Taal Volcano. (At this point, Chris' mother passed away and Chris returned to Greensboro.)
Another warm welcome! . . . The Mall! . . . and a Habitat for Humanity project.
The GSE team visits General Macarthur's suite. General Douglas? No! General Jo		A warm reception at Tessa Vocational School. Students perform Philippines national dance. They tried to teach it to the GSE team!
Trikes for Life . . . because Rotarians care! Trikes are a major source of transportation in the Philippines. A Rotary Project helps individuals buy their own trike, thus providing their livelihood. Notice the Rotary emblem on the windshield of the Trikes!
Heart breaking . . . Rotarians care!	"A project we visited that helps abused girls. This little girl carries her baby who will be placed for adoption . . ." -jw		Heart warming . . . Rotarians care!		Sharing good times with District Governor June.
Palawan is the western island of the Philippines, and part of District 3830. The team arrived on Palawan on March 9 and returned to Manila on the 11th.
A Palawan arrival, . . . a Palawan welcome included a visit with the mayor . . . and Palawan entertainment. There were two GSE teams visiting Palawan at the same time: one from London, and our District 7690 team.
Harvesting and drying rice on Palawan
*"DISCON"* A highlight of the experience is the visit to the annual District Conference
Team Leader Bill addresses the District 3830 Conference, and our District 7690 team and the team that returned the visit sit for a group portrait with District Governor June and his wife.
. A visit to a 'Feed the Children' project. The project focused on teaching mothers about nutrition as well as providing food for the children.	A joint meeting of seven Rotary Clubs of Las Pinas	Visiting in a Rotarian's Home.		This gentleman produces a delicacy - egg with partially formed duck ... a delicacy that few GSE team members tried.
	Everywhere we went club banners were exchanged.	During one 'Vocation Day' Bill Riggs decided his vocation would be golfing. Outfit and clubs were provided by his Philippino friends!
	"It seemed like yesterday when we flew to the Philippines." A tired but happy group of world travelers return to Greensboro.
Jo bids the Philippines and District 3830 goodbye. click for more...
Upon her return to North Carolina, Jo Williamson joined Rotaract, and provided leadership for Furnitureland Rotary Club's 2002 International Project: The collection and shipping of books to the library of Manila's Rizal High School. to top
Note: this page was developed by the District 7690 Web Manager. He did not go to the Philippines, and any inaccuracies should be addressed to: -Phil Morris January 2002