In the past few days, I have also received additional Emails from those joining my teams, regarding what they expect to experience in India. I have attached more of them below for you to enjoy.
First, from Past District Governor, Jim Berg, of San Antonio, Texas USA:
On the eve of my getting inoculations for the upcoming travel to India, I would offer the following: I have been a member of Rotary since 1976 and a most active Rotarian since 1994 when I was chosen to be the President of Club #52 in San Antonio. Over those 97 years various members have made a significant impact on the direction and goals of our large Club (~550 members)…for example, Harry Rogers in 1926 was an RI President from the Rotary Club of San Antonio. As one of the largest Clubs in the world and a leader in our District, our Club should set an example to ‘lead the way.’ So, this trip is a first sponsored from District 5840 and I am looking forward leading about 8 south Texas Rotarians toward fulfilling Rotary’s goal of eradicating polio. As a member of the Zone 26 Rotary Foundation team, I think it important to participate and bring back images so that contributions to the Foundation will have a local face on our international giving.
Next, I heard from one of our Canadian teammates, Arlene Miller:
I have a couple of reasons for joining the Rotary Dream Team.
I have been on a couple of International projects with my Rotary Club and I
know the kind of positive change Rotary can and does make in this world. To
that end my daughter has an interest in being a part of a group that works
to enhance the lives of the less fortunate. International projects are an
incredible way to truly do service above self.
Cassandra Bradley is next... she is a Club president in Laconia, New Hampshire, a neighboring district to mine, a bit to the west:
I have chosen to join the “Dream Team” this year to participate in Rotary’s mission to eradicate Polio as well as help the less fortunate live healthier and more sustaining lives. I have been doing humanitarian work both in the United States as well as in developing countries and find each experience to be both fulfilling and life changing. This work makes me proud to be a Rotarian it’s what we do and who we are. I hope that as in every other experience I make new friends and acquaintances and leave India knowing that we made a difference.
We are pleased to have a ROTARACTOR from Norwich, England, along with our team - Guy Boocock:
I joined the Rotary Dream Team - India 2009 as an opportunity to achieve a life-time goal. Ever since I first saw Challenge Anneka, all those years ago, I have had a deep urge to help third world countries in their struggle against diseases and poverty. I hope to experience something I have never experienced before and discover a fantastic culture whilst providing a life-saving service. Having taken part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award earlier this year, I discovered far more about Rotary and what it achieves and so joined Rotaract. I came out of RYLA a far more confident person, a life-changing experience if you will, and would recommend it to anyone. Through it you can have many opportunities to help many people.
Kim Thistle, another neighbor to the north in Canada, shares her thoughts:
I have wanted to do something in a third world country for a number of
years. Between raising children and running a business it was always
put on the back burner. My 21 year old daughter has spent a summer in
Chile and a summer in South Africa doing volunteer work and listening
to her stories has rekindled the urge. I turn 50 this year and told my
husband that for my birthday I wanted to go somewhere and do something
that counts. This is it! I am looking forward to the opportunity to
work with the local people and to doing something for the greater good.
I am doing this as much for me as I am for them. It is time I saw
the big picture up close.
Finally, we have heard from Jane Bevington, another new member from "across the pond" in England:
I have always dreamt of visiting India and the only member of my
family with the same desire is my daughter who cannot get the time
from work to accompany me.
She did 2 weeks of charity work in Tanzania several years ago and I
realised that it would be my desire to do the same in India. Then I
was diagnosed with a condition requiring Chemotherapy.
For the past 4 years my immune system would never have tolerated the
conditions and vaccinations needed to travel to India. With chemo 2
years behind me, at Christmas, I was given the blessings of my
specialist to travel to India!
I have been a Rotarian for 5 years and, as I worked full-time, I have
not given as much towards their efforts for charity as I would wish. I
am now only working part-time.
The Rotary dream team project dropped into my lap at just the right
time and the right place!
I hope to be able to give something to those who are far less
fortunate than I, and at the same time meet people and see places I
have only ever dreamt of.
Yesterday, I visited my grandson's first grade class, and talked with his classmates and teachers for about an hour, showing them many photos I had taken this past year, while traveling in India. The children were very engaged in the discussion, and hopefully will present me with a character, similar to FLAT STANLEY, so that I can have this mascot in many of the photos we will take during our experience. I am not sure if he will be named FREDDIE THE FROG or TOMMY THE TOAD, but both frogs and toads seem to be very important to Mrs. Gosling's first graders at Saint Thomas School.
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