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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” from Theodore Roosevelt via Sam.
VISITORS
Nicci and Michael Beninger and Martin Lee.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND
CLUB BUSINESS
Coming soon: Invoice for members’ dues.
Next week: President’s Roast - samosas and breakfast provided
June 30, 6 p.m.: Board meeting at Peter’s for incoming and outgoing members,
Speaker
Nicci Beninger, former member of our Richmond Sunrise Club, and president elect of the Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club gave us an update on the projects of her club, particularly those which we have supported. She provided published pamphlets highlighting the many projects in which they engage.
The question of distinguishing between philanthropy and charity is an interesting one. Philanthropy focuses on big issues, especially those without a quick fix and the three Ts of philanthropy, Time Talent and Treasure, are made possible through a fourth - Trust. Chapala’s villages are used to being studied, by international universities, about kidney disease, but they are studied then left, without having had the results shared. So when Rotary shows up to help a village, the villagers don’t trust that they will have any results.
Developing trust is important, and has been created with the village of Ojo de Agua, first asking what was needed – a water station and now fruit trees, which have been donated and planted. Once trust was gained, they moved into the bigger project, including water storage and sanitation. But you also need to develop trust with the donors, which is why Nicci was here to speak to us, to update us on where our money has gone.
We contributed to the dental project, and the dentist has done over 300 treatments. His wife is a pediatric dentist, and they contribute one day a week of their time, but this is not sustainable. The new focus will be education in Ojo de Agua, as they don’t understand dental hygiene, thinking that missing teeth might come back. Lots of time will be spent in school. We also donated to renal care, supplementing a global grant which has been extended. So far, they have done 16 kidney transplants. Money was used for pre-op, qualifying donors, and post care. There are 48 patients on their waiting list and they are providing food and care. They have a diabetes club, trying to keep villagers from becoming kidney patients. The environmental laws in Mexico can be skirted, and many heavy metals end up in the lake. There is a lot of water testing.
Nicci shared Gabby’s story, daughter of a local family in Ajijic, whose father lost a foot to diabetes and was unable to work, and the 3 daughters were also suffering from kidney disease, one having already passed away. The mother knew she might be able to get one transplant, but as the older daughter was too sick, the hospital made the choice to save Gabby and she had her transplant on Tuesday, after being on dialysis for two years. So the mother will have one daughter who will survive. Gabby is off to rehab, with potential for a good life. The Diabetes club meets once a month, and everyone gets a book to track their eating, blood tests and exercise. A psychologist and nutritionist support the 50 members in the club from as young as 3 years old. They are trying to get sensors for the children.
The sanitation project in Ojo de Agua is now 4 years old, and it is a study in patience. The land was claimed to be owned by two people, but is indigenous land, owned by no one, and had been parceled out to ‘comuneros’ families, and they are having trouble getting past one family, whose inheritance is in question. With much bargaining, and measuring, and burning, the land was ready to be used. The interested parties finally met to sign the documents, after not having convened for over 6 years. A list was made of what conditions needed to be met and finally they got ‘la luna’ (Nicci’s list of requirements “asking for the moon”) with cartel backing.
Ground was broken last November, with the 30m by 30m size septic tank ‘humidale’, involving 4 days of water flowing through with 75% of it cleaned by plants like calla lilies and papyrus, then back to the ditch, to the lake, and will eventually be about 95% clean after flowing through the rocks. Ribbon cutting is imminent. The final cost will be $140,000,000 USD, but it is state of the art, and a template for other villages throughout the area.
Poco a Poco feeds children, whose parents work in Guadalajara and leave the children to look after themselves. A community kitchen was built by the Rotary club in 2024, including the bathroom. One Rotarian donated the bakery and 50% of what they bake goes to them in pay and it is doing well. They needed a water source, as there was no municipal water, and Rotary helped to hook them up. They are working to make sure it’s purified, initiating a new global grant, working with two other Canadian Rotary Clubs, using solar power for hot water for the kitchen, washing, refrigeration as they were constantly throwing out food.
As president next year, Nicci is thinking about Chapala rather than outlying villages. In Chapala they have the Christmas Eve dinners for 100 families, and Posada - dressing up going house to house starting a train to the designated celebration house, which will now be the community centre with piñada. They are expanding to feed at least 200 families next year. In December employers are supposed to receive a bonus; many workers are laid off in December to avoid paying these bonuses. Other targets will be wheelchair distribution, information fairs, speaking at Ted Ex, community centre lunchtime program and seismic renovations,
The Blue School supporting students with disabilities in a wide range of ages, needs water delivery, painting, electrical, playground adaptation, and they want a lunchtime program. To be determined what needs can be met. They are just starting the relationship and will likely be doing painting and electrical this summer. Another 100 wheelchairs coming, will be assembled, specialized and need to be matched to recipients. They are looking for local opportunities to build presence. Lake Chapala Rotary Club works with over 30 clubs ‘north of the border,’ too, including us. As incoming president, Nicci’s motto along with the club is “We will unite for good.”
Thank you for the inspirational presentation, Nicci!
SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits
Everyone said thank you to Nicci for her great presentation!
Bill saysShelley is recovering well, gets an update soon and then he’ll be back. Tomorrow he is going to a funeral for a hockey player who passed away from cancer.
Sam says thank you (and something else; we all have poor hearing, but assume it was moving and inspirational).
Susan is off work this week, but busy with Rotary stuff. Tuesday she was at a pre-Rotary international meet and greet dinner, with 5 Rotarians from Singapore – very interesting. But she drank too much coca cola and was up until 4 a.m.
Martin was at a Lion’s Club dinner on Wednesday and is happy to learn about Mexico.
Larry enjoyed the President’s Dinner, and is at Birch Bay for the weekend, although it might rain.
Elena attended the scholarship presentation for Cambie, and the presented our donation to Mountainview for Lapu Lapu, where there were 6 guests from Singapore. She is leaving tomorrow for Calgary.
Peachy says it is nice to be back. Her vacation was amazing, she took care of her parents for 3 months, who had deteriorated after the death of her brother, so they were very happy she was there. Tomorrow she is going to Calgary.
Debbie T. had lots of Rotary stuff during the week. Her house is torn apart with saws and lots of dust, as they are doing floors top to bottom. She was at the grad for Richmond High, did her speech on the Four Way Test again, and found that someone was interested in joining Rotary after hearing the speech. The President’s dinner was amazing - thanks for the flowers. Tuesday was meet and greet. Last night the Sunset Club presented to the school board about Rotary and Interact, RYLA, and Rotaract with a synopsis from all clubs but a focus on their own, and Jason Tam who is the Rotaract advisor was excited about speaking. Jim Ling talked about scholarships, and it was good for the Board of education to hear about what Rotary does. She is excited about going to Calgary.
Jeannette thanks everyone for the Paul Harris award. Last night her mom and niece arrived at the airport, and are here for 3 months, so she is happy to go to Calgary. She went to a funeral for her co-worker’s dad who passed away and commends Larry on the good food. She has a friend who is at the end of life, and is on her own, so she is helping to sort out her home.
Maryam appreciates hearing about the Mexico experience, and about the perseverance. She was at the Richmond High scholarship presentation and loved Debbie T’s speech and saw the kids nodding along. She did the pre-convention event, but she can’t get time off for the Calgary convention, although lots of her friends are going. It’s ‘bonkers’ at school and reports are soon coming out.
Lawrence says this week his daughter is off to Grade 7 camp, but then his brother-in-law came to town unexpectedly (to him), so they went to Science World, skipping both work and school, then went to the office summer (not Christmas) party.
Micheal went on Friday to his first Pride Parade with his son’s kindergarten class.
Pat was impressed by the project book Nicci shared. On Tuesday evening the dinner was fun with Jason as MC. She is going out for lunch today. The grandchildren are out of school at the end of week. Susan sent a reminder that ClubRunner has a new program, and it is revamped and renamed as Nova. She is wearing sunglasses because they’re prescription glasses, Garth.
Amanda says Graham didn’t have to come in early and is napping in the car. She is so busy she doesn’t know what’s going on.
Garth says Marg was a great MC at the President’s dinner.
Debbie S. feels grateful to live in Canada, by sheer dumb luck. Her brother who is 7 years younger and adopted, met his biological mother last week (who was 21 years old at his birth) and he is happy and excited to have met her, but no mention of his father. His aunt (mom’s sister) asked if they’d talked about it and said to give it time. His biological mom went on to marry but had no other children.
Blair had a great time at the Firemen’s golf tournament and won 19 bottles of wine, and his teammates complained that he took them all. He was ok to drive, if he could find the parking lot (underground). He went on a trip with five guys, including his two brothers, to Invermere which was beautiful: golfing by day, poker at night, and they drank and told tall tales. Then he went to his brother’s house in Calgary, had fun with family, and yesterday was in another golf tournament, but only won swag.
John will be away for the next few weeks and is going to the Calgary Stampede. Next year the bulletin will change, shortened and maybe invented.
Chris M. is always amazed by Nicci’s presentations! Sheis a little sore and tired. They took possession of the new old house on Thursday evening. The movers were delivering the furniture and 70 mover boxes on Monday morning. So, Chris painted the entire inside of the house in only 3 days with a little help from Olivia. Rod built two fences. She has now emptied 65 of the 70 boxes.
Joyce had the nasty flu. The scholarship speech was amazing. She has the grandkids next week and has ordered squirt guns!
Marg missed the ‘meet and greet’. She attended the Aspire evening at the Atiana Farm – amazing!
Melinda says it is a pleasure to see the Canadian perspective of the Mexico experience. She went to the Gold Cup against Honduras where Canada won 6-0 and Alfonso Davies was sitting right behind them [ED: presumably he wasn’t playing, otherwise Melinda had AMAZING seats]. John bought helmets to wear in the go karts now.
Brian went camping with his new date, and they went both hiking and paddle boarding, which he thought might be too much, but he enjoyed drifting while drinking beer.
Bobby thanks Nicci for sharing how our contributions are having an impact. He gives lots of thanks to others, but needs to recognize Pat especially, as Secretary, for all her organization work behind the scenes, and especially for the President’s Dinner. His family is back from Spain [ED: but his credit card didn’t make it].
Peter’s friend, who was adopted, said to his mom “Sherry and I are going on a date”, but his mother said: “oh no you’re not,” but she couldn’t tell him why. It turns out that Gordon’s mother and Sherry’s father are brother and sister – so there are small town goings on. It was a great President’s dinner [ED: I bet it was, Peter #sweetfreedom].
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