District 7090 Participants Of GSE Trip To Belize
Left to right. Frank ralabate, Coordinator from the williamsville Rotary Club. Participants Michael Holder, Pat Braun, Kriste Deverson, Janet Bettner and team leader Doug Manly from the Fredonia Rotary Club.
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Group Study Exchange (GSE) is a program sponsored by individual districts throughout the world which sends young entrepeneurs to different host countries around the globe to exchange cultures, ideas, and promote fellowship. Last year we sent the four guests listed above, plus Doug Manly as mentor to Belize. In exchange, we hosted members from Belize here. Bob Race, a member of the Williamsville club, was one of the host families which housed, fed, and transported the group from Belize.
Our group that went to Belize put on a great power point show with many photos which chronicled their adventures. They spoke to us about their time in Belize, and their typical daily routines. While there, they visited many sites, including a co-generation plant which burns the residue from the sugar producing process, and not only generates electricity for the sugar cane plant, but enough additional power to supply upwards of 7% of the local electrical needs.
They emphasized to us how much they learned about Rotary, and service above self while in Belize. Even the smallest clubs handle upwards of 5 major projects per year.
For more information about GSE, or if you know someone who may be interested (non Rotary members only), contact Frank Ralabate frankralabate@aol.com.
Jim Pawlicki