Sharing With You A Life Altering Experience - March 16-29, 2007, in Salcedo, Dominican Republic, at the Escuela Maria Josefa Gomez

Dear Team Mates,

How can I share so that you will feel the significant role you each have played in this unforgettable experience in the Dominican Republic? Suffice to say that your generous contributions enabled the Clubs Rotario Salcedo (D4060) & Scott Valley (D5110) to impact the lives of 1,000 poor kids & 54 faculty members at the Escuela Maria Josefa Gomez in a positive life altering way.

Every visit we made to the school, the kids made us feel like Santa Claus & his elves. We were "The Ones Who Brought Us The Computers". And to the kids, it was Christmas as they randomly clapped, cheered & sang for us in grateful appreciation for their new computer classroom with 20 new computers, desks, tables & chairs all in a freshly painted room with new electrification, lights, fans, hub, filter & internet. Their eyes sparkled, their faces beemed with excitement & wonder at the fascination of technology which will enable them to reach the world & open up new avenues of challenge, learning & opportunities for success.

The Dominican people are wonderful, so gracious, hospitable, kind & loving. There seems not enough words of praise to describe them & the harmony we felt. They love to laugh & have fun. They are so gregarious & outgoing, so animated & enthusiastic. And even though you may not quite understand, you find yourself laughing with them. The kids were adorable, beautiful, loving & happy. They all just make you feel good! You just couldn't help yourself but love them.

Our Dominican Mom & Dad, Margarita & Americo, were the consumate hosts treating us like king & queens. And our Club hosts kept us busy every minute making frequent visits to the school, teaching English, attending the D4060 District Assembly, meeting with PDG Luis Hidalgo (2005 D4060 GSE Team Leader), visiting Santiago, Puerto Plata, San Francisco, Santa Domingo & San Cristobal & the Club Rotario San Cristobal. We didn't stop for not even 1 down day in 14.

And it is easy to feel such passion for a noble & worthy cause when you feel the same passion from your hosts. It is contagious. There were no reservations as our hosts, in so many ways, revealed to us their hearts & desire to serve.

One of the most special discoveries was that Dr. Gustavo Santos de Jesus, Club Presidente, as a boy of ages 8-15 attended the school. Dr. Santos came from humble beginnings, but went on through university & medical school to become a prominent doctor & surgeon. So, the inaugration ceremonies March 26th to mark Project Completion, was quite an emotional experience for him as he addressed the combined students, faculty, parents, dignataries, guests & Rotarians, over 100 in attendance.

Immediately thereafter, about 20 of us proceeded to the new computer classroom for the ribbon cutting (I was given the honor), turning on the power, booting up the computers for a few to try with picture taking & TV camera for both ceremonies. That same morning we had visited in the Mayor's Office where we received a proclamation recognizing the good works of Rotary (again with TV camera present). Faculty instruction began the next day, student instruction the day following. Three computer teachers had already been qualified.

The next day we were on live TV. Rest assured that Rotary got more than its 2 cents worth of good PR from this project. Our Host Club made sure. Dr. Emma Santos, Club First Lady, also a Doctor & Surgeon & City of Salcedo Minister of Health, was the consumate diplomat & PR conscious Rotarian.

Most of you remember Josefina, 2005 GSE Team Member, now a Rotarian with a heart & passion to serve (she attributes this passion to all of you & your example). Josefina has been the critical key to the success of this project from a year ago when first she & I began communicating. She is fluent in English as well as Spanish, is a certifed English teacher, law school graduate at 20, member of the bar at 22 & now judge, all by the age of 30. Someone said as a Rotarian you collect friends all over the world. Well, in addition, I also collect family all over the world. To my own U.S. daughter, Annie (creator of our Blog Site) & my Dutch daughter, Sonja (for 18 years), I now add my Dominican daughter, Josefina. And my Dominican Mom,, Margarita, & my Dominican Doctor Emma, who both fussed over us with love & affection.

Josefina was everywhere, hovering, interpreting, coaching, advising, keeping us company. She even gave us the privilege of observing her court in session. She can be tough. That sure did have a positive effect in ensuring our good behavior. But she was fun, too, taking us to the ice cream store, the beach, the Carnival. That last experience is secret.

The 2 weeks drew to an end all too quickly. The 2nd Club meeting was an emotional & moving tribute of testimonials back & forth. Gifts were exchanged. Diane & Lori contributed to their Club Paul Harris Fund. I gave Dr. Gustavo a box of Kleenex to wipe his "heart tears". After that experience, I decided that we wouldn't need to fly home. We'd just walk on water.

Thursday morning, March 29th, was an emotional & somber time of brave but gaurded farewells at the Santiago airport. The rest of the trip was uneventful until we saw most of you at our D5110 Assembly in Cottage Grove. And I hope to be coming to visit you later in April at your Club with a report to you of your project. Lori & Diane will join me locally, after we've rested.

But, our job at the Escuela Maria Josefa Gomez is not yet done. My heart was torn when we were given a tour by the Principal, Nina, of "Our School" now, she said. And we discovered that "Our School" does not have functioning bathrooms; 1,000 students, K-12, use a 2 hole (1 each side) outhouse, concrete pedastals, no seats, no sinks, doors hanging by 1 hinge! Nor does "Our School" have safe, potable drinking water! Rotary, here we come! New Project: "Salcedo Safe Water & Sanitation". PDG Louis Hidalgo, D4060 TRFC, a registered civil engineer, who inspected at my request, following the ceremonies, says the project is both feasible & practical. And I have spoken with Dr. Ron Denham of the Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG)(see Monday's D5110 e-News) who got excited! One of his group, Bob Hildreth, is a Rotarian in Santiago. We met him at their District 4060 Training Assembly. Dr. Denham has already e-mailed Bob.

Anyone want to jump on board? Thank you all in so many ways for your encouragement & support. I hope to visit you soon. Pictures will be added soon to the "Salcedo Pictures" in Norm's Public Gallery of this Blog Site..

Your Team Mate in Rotary Service,
Norm Malmberg, Project Contact/Team Leader
D5110 WCS 06-10-1, MG #61404
Rotary Club of Scott Valley

The School

On monday, we got to the school, the principal met the team and then proceeded to introduce them to some of the teachers and show them the school. We went to the project area and the team was very pleased with the work that we had done at that point.

We saw the cafeteria, the library, the letrines, which were in very bad condition, and the kids bathrooms, which were out of work.

There was a class break and the school Patio was full of children. A bunch of them started to follow us. Some of them would come and say hi, how are you, or whatever they could say in English. IThere was a moment where Norm, Lori and Diane where surrounded by kids who were singing typical dominican school songs for them.

After the break we visited several classes and talked to the students. Some of the teachers and students referred to the team as: "The ones who brought us the computers".

The kids were shy but still some of them asked questions. It was a nice morning.

The team, the staff and the students got acquainted really fast.

Diane donated books for the library and we had talks with the principal about project maintenance. The team also had the chance to get their hands dirty and give the final details before inauguration day.

They worked really hard and their pressense was very important for the School staff, as well as the students.

Josefina

Pick up at Santiago International Airport- March16th

It was Friday 16th, 2007, We had formed a committee in order to pick up the Scott Valley team at the aiport. We were all so excited and got t-shirts made with the Rotary Logo and our names on them. We also made arrangements to meet our guests at the VIP room of the airport, so they wouldnt have to do any lines, after such a long journey.

When we got to the airport, we found out that due to bad weather, some flights coming from New York, had either been canceled or delayed.

We were so sad to find out that flight 1711, in which our guests were coming, had been delayed and that It could also be canceled. Before the team left, I had told Norm to call me from New York to tell me everything was cool, I found it weird that they didnt call. I also tried to call Norm on his cell phone, cause I thought he had roaming but all I got was voicemail.

I remember we decided to leave and come back in the afternoon, suddenly I heard someone Say: "Josefina!", I didnt know who it was and when I looked ahead, There was Norm, Diane and Lori, Holding a huge California flag. I yelled ahhhhh!!!! and we hugged each other, everyone in the club was soooooo happy.

Norm, Lori and Diane's flight had been canceled and they found another flight through Miami. In fact, when we got to the airport their flight had already arrived an hour ago.

Josefina