Jamie Kinney, Ginger Parker, Jo Williamson, Chris Zinchuck, Bill Riggs, Group Study Exchange, 2001, Philippines


(click on images to enlarge)

  click for more...                                   jw

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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

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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

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Manila hospitality for Jo Williamson started here!

Our first day out in the Philippines.
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"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
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Jo and her host "mom" attend a breakfast meeting.
The only breakfast club in the district 
and an all-female club as well.
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In the background, if you  could see it, is the Taal Volcano.
(At this point, Chris' mother passed away and Chris returned to Greensboro.)

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Another warm welcome! . . . The Mall! . . . and a Habitat for Humanity project.

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The GSE team visits General Macarthur's suite.
General Douglas?  No!  General Jo

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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 . . . 
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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 . . . 
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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. 

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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.

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Harvesting and drying rice on Palawan

"DISCON"
A highlight of the experience is the visit to the annual District Conference

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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.

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A visit to a 'Feed the Children' project.  The project focused on teaching mothers about nutrition as well as providing food for the children.

 

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A joint meeting of seven Rotary Clubs of  Las Pinas

 

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Visiting in a Rotarian's Home.

 

 

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This gentleman produces a delicacy - egg with partially formed duck ... a delicacy that few GSE team members tried.

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Everywhere we went club banners were exchanged.

 

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During one 'Vocation Day' Bill Riggs decided his vocation would be golfing.  Outfit and clubs were provided by his Philippino friends! 

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"It seemed like yesterday when we flew to the Philippines."
A tired but happy group of world travelers return to Greensboro.

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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.

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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