Day Seven The Project Fair

Before and after the panel and ceremony, Rotarians from Mexico had information about their various projects available. They set up at tables around the room. We could read the proposals, see photos and displays and sign up to go out to project visits today and tomorrow.  Here are some quick photos taken from display tables around the room.

Day Seven The Official Opening of Festival of Brotherhood XIV

Yes dear reader, the work up to now has been preparatory to the official presentation of project proposals. This Festival covers three states in Mexico. Clubs from as far away as Culiacan and 200 miles south of Puerto Vallarta have traveled to join us and see that their projects are considered. We try to see that every project is observed and responded to. The opening ceremonies were inspirational and brief.

An appreciative crowd listens as our panel of current and future District Governors and Foundation Chairs. Bruce informed us that by his calculations, more than a million dollars worth of projects have been completed since 2004. If you count the projects currently committed but still in process, it is apparent the amount is over $1,300,000.

Day Six Evening - Return of the Ties

We were joined in our little pre dinner gathering by Guicho and his wife, check out the ties! Guicho has always been a fantastic support for Festival of Brotherhood and is very popular with our clubs.

The Californians gathered for a bit of celebration, our newly arrived team members were rested and ready for the first organized event to include all of us. Kirk Brown, District Governor, Jim Flamson, District Governor Elect, and Maureen Merrill, District Governor Nominee celebrate the moment that Maureen is awarded her special monkey - carry it proudly Maureen - don't lose it in your purse!

Rotarians from all clubs gathered, a reunion for many who have been a part of the Festival of Brotherhood for 14 years.

Lupita from the Alamo Club and Dale from the Rohnert Park Cotati Club visit and catch up. Their clubs have a long term special relationship; a brother and sister club.

Past District Governors Bruce and Manobe open the event. Bruce was announcing that over 77 FOB grants have been completed between our clubs. The matching grants already in process bring us up to 99. The next grant committed to will bring us up to 100. Congratulations everyone!

Kirk relates his gratitude and admiration for the hospitality and accomplishments of our host clubs.

District Governor Guicho draws warm applause for his words of welcome, encouragement and optimism.

Day Six Morning, A Visit to Downtown and FAEE

After the show, we enjoyed a snack provided by the teachers. If you notice the Rotary Wheel on the wall in back it is symbolic of the support provided by Rotarians. The clubs in Mexico have done much. Also there are three clubs in our district who have worked on projects here.

A few blocks from the downtown squares we came to FAEE http://www.faeemexico.org/   It is a program that teaches individuals with disabilities of differing ages the skills of living and success. Mexico is not able to provide much in terms of support for these individuals. That support comes from whatever the communities will provide.  The students have teachers for language, math, art, culture health and practical skills. We were treated to a demonstration of cultural dancing. The students were accomplished dancers and proud of their showmanship.

There is a stonecutters fair in one of the downtown squares. Approximately 10 stonecutter shops and artists had set up to show their work and how it is done.

Here is part of our intrepid group. We are now joined by Rotarians from our District 5130 in California who are coming for the 2nd portion of the Festival. We were guided by Librado from Chapultepec Club. He is very knowledgeable about the history of his city - and took time off from his electrical conracting business to make us comfortable.

We were on our own for breakfast, at 10:00 we met in the lobby to walk through the square and to see our first program.  Here is one of the old cathedrals seen across a square.

Day 5 Evening - Guadalajara!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Between Bea and Trino, we listened and sang songs from the U.S. (you have to learn more about the songs Bea has developed for Rotary), and songs from Mexico styled by Trino. We had such a wonderful time, laid out plans to see a program tomorrow, and went to sleep happy.

Our hotel is The Best Western Hotel Plaza Genova in the old central area of Guadalajara. The area is steeped in history with squares, churches, museums, shops, music venues, parks and lots of people.  It is so exciting!  Veteren Festival of Brotherhood participants got together with old friends, new ones were invited too, we went a lot of places, or explored our new environs.  Here the Rotary Club of Chapultepec hosts a number of us at the house of Trino and Chela, both Rotarians. Chela is president of this active and respected club.

Day Five. Adios Tapic! Que Te Vaya Bien.

Oh no, can it already be time to go?  We have seen close to 24 projects in the past five days, had many events and meetings, rejoined old friends and made new ones. Seen many sights, laughed, wiped away a few tears and most importantly have seen what the Rotarians are doing in their community and learned what we can do to help.

Day Four Afternoon and Evening

All that cooking made us hungry. We went into San Blas to a beachside open air restaurant. Imagine our surprise when another part of our group, one who had gone to see a developing native plant nursery project, showed up to join us.

After that late lunch we headed for another potential project. This one requires work on a larger scale. A small town of about 400 people is set on a small stream in a narrow canyon. The ground is very dense and rocky. Due to the setting, septic waste disposl is not funtional. There is no way to drill the rock or change the soil. For this reason, every house in the town leaks raw sewage into the streets and eventually to the stream. This is very unhealthy for all inhabitants, and a very sad situation. The occupants can not afford to leave what little they have. The cost, to hook up appx 100 households with a mile of line and connect to an existing main line is $150,000 US dollars.

Yes that is waste water running down the street - and yes that is a family with children walking on the street.

And yes that is the sewage stream joining a fresh water stream that goes on to join a small river about a half mile away. And yes that is sewage running out of one of the houses. Sorry, this is simply how it is.

The government does not usually help in these infastructure projects, though in this case they committed one of five shares. So of the $150,000 needed, $30,000 comes from the community; a tough order in this poor town as that translates to 300 per household. Then the Tepic Club does a share, another club in Canada does one, they are asking us or anyone we know to help.Here is the creek below the village. That is a water pipe going down into the river. Not sewage. It services a business out at the highway.