More Than Half Way and All Okay!!! : Cultural and vocational visits and more presentations.

The GSE team has had a packed few days with cultural and vocational visits and presentations to the District 3860 Rotary clubs. All the clubs are preparing for their District Rotary Conference beginning tomorrow (Thursday March 3rd). With 92 clubs and over 2000 members, the conference registration is approximately 1000!!! The Team is looking forward to presenting to such a large group!!!???

The team has had many privileges which have been very much appreciated.
A special tour guide showed the team around Cebu with highlights being the Tindalo Wood encasing Ferdinand Magellan's Cross presented in 1521.

The team also visited the famous Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino which was built in the 16th Century. This church is one of the most important  Catholic spiritual centres in all of the Philippines. The frescoes and architecture were stunning.  Extraordinary.

From the 'spiritual heart' to  a more contemporary monument .....the team posing in front of a very creative 'montage' of steel, brick and marble depictions of the history of Cebu!

Our presentation to the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente was an outstanding success! The club members were very appreciative of Martin singing the Philippine Anthem and a great spirit of fellowship, humour and sharing of cultures flowed through the evening.

As with previous presentations, the 'vegemite song' is a great 'hit' and the volunteers have the privilege of not only dancing the 'vege dance' with special vegemite hats brought from Australia, they also get to taste vegemite!!!
(With a Koala each as a prize!!!)
It is so funny, so enjoyable....the club members roll around laughing, everyone having so much fun.
Of course this is done after the 'proper presentation' which has been very well received indeed.

The Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente were wonderful hosts, presenting us with gifts and t-shirts as a momento of our visit...this 'muck up' pic was requested by the club members and indicates the spirit of a fabulous evening had by all.
Great Rotary fellowship.

Pictured here is a another presentation to the Rotary club of Cebu West. Another successful and enjoyable evening.

The next day the team had a early start for a full day of vocational visits.
Pictured here is a modern fire truck purchased by the Rotary Matching Grants program (note the Rotary emblem on left of truck).

The team all had turns with the fire hose with Martin (the singing firefighter) 'coaching' of course!!

If you look closely in this pic you will see the same fire truck (in the centre of the image) assisting with a major fire late last year in a village lacking basic services.
This fire truck saved many lives and property....again emphasizing the work Rotary does to make a difference.
Amazing.

The team moved on to a local public grade (elementary) school, Zapatera Primary.
This school has nearly 3000 students....(this is not a typo!!)
The school structure is amazing, having a large preschool, special education unit and 12 grades per cohort! (That's 360 kinders for a start!)

The children were amazing...very well behaved polite and beautifully groomed in uniforms. Philippine parents take their children's education very seriously, wanting the optimum opportunities for their children's future.
Lot's of hope and aspiration in the kids.
Very impressed.
(But very few computers...)

 An idea of the scale....quite large classes.

Martin and Rebecca were able to have an insightful discussion with the Operational manager of the ERUF (Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation) which is funded in part by Rotary International. This unit, provides efficient and effective rescue and emergency medical services to the residents of Metro Cebu and the team was informed during our visit that a platoon of members were on 'readiness'
to travel to NZ to assist with the recent earthquake.

The Ambulance Support vehicle pictured below was donated to this group in Cebu by the Rotary Club of Canberra!
Bravo! (More vocation pics next blog).