Yes -yes! I know. Rotary is way too full of acronyms, but it is quite fun to coin them. And to change them.
The Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) group of 13 Kansans that visited our District from 13 – 25 March was actually a Rotary cultural exchange (RCE) as the group experienced a wonderful mixture of culture and friendship stretching from the Cape up to Oudtshoorn. This cultural trip made for lifelong friends and permanent project partners, as all 8 clubs represented want to have a long-term relationship with us.
Instead of trying to give you a feeling of the amazing ‘road trip’ in D9350, go to the picture gallery and get a glimpse of how hospitable and friendly our club members were towards the 13 Kansans. The following clubs really made me proud to be part of them (in host date order):
Helderberg Sunrise in Somerset West
E-Club (PDG Andrew Jaeger Oudekraal farm) in Tulbagh
Swellendam
Oudtshoorn
Breede River Winelands (in Montagu)
Wynberg in Cape Town
The last word comes from the D5710 Exchange team leader Chuck Udell (Leawood Rotary Club):
“To paraphrase a hero of mine - never have so many thanks been owed by 13 Kansas Rotarian team members to you and Koos for planning and showing us so much about your amazing country. For starters we have seen beautiful countryside and cool animals (that my grandsons loved seeing our pictures). We have eaten so much great food and drank so much fine wine. We have visited awesome Rotary Clubs and amazing Rotarians who are so involved in Making a Difference. Y’all are indeed MAD! We enjoyed seeing so many meaningful projects and the fine relationships that District 9350 Rotarians have developed with the people they are helping. We had the opportunity to help special Oudtshoorn Rotarians plant trees for a very special crèche they support. The best part, meeting and interacting with all South Africans - Rotarians and non-Rotarians we met along the way. I can go on and on with all the amazing things we did and people we met.”
