Donalee Berard, Suffern Rotary International Committee Chairperson, her husband Jim Burton of New City Rotary & myself, RC of Suffern President Elect, Pam Hess attended the International Festival of Friendship, Sisterhood & Service in the Mexican Magical Town of Zacatlan in October 2022.
Donalee Berard has a history with Past DG Vincente Arbesu and DG "Kikis" Lopez from District 4185 in Mexico. She has supported three projects over the past ten years in their district. Because of her relationship with this district, Donalee and Suffern Rotarians were invited to attend this festival. Thinking this was an opportunity to see the results of these projects as well as other Rotary funded projects, I decided to attend and learn more about Rotary. In the past, the events were smaller so Donalee & her husband Jim stayed in the homes of local Rotarians for past project fairs. This event turned into something more grand than expected!
The dates of the conference were October 27th through November 1st which encompassed the local "Day of the Dead" holiday. When we began to get information about this conference, we were surprised at the impressive video that highlighted the city of Zacatlan. We were told that the only expense to us would be the airfare. Sounded like a very warm welcoming invitation.
Zacatlan is a city in the state of Puebla, Mexico which was a 3.5 hour drive by van south east of Mexico City which we took in the dark of night. This " Pueblo Magico" is in the eastern mountain range where it is frequently cloudy and a perfect climate for orchards filled with apples, pears, & peaches grow. This area is famed for bread baking, clock making & waterfalls. The first 24 hours we were led around the area in the dark, in the back of vans or in the convention center so we had no inkling of the beauty of this city. We were wondering: where is the magic?
Adding to the mystery, we arrived in the city with a police escort at about 10:30 Wednesday evening. We were dropped off at the convention center where lively music was playing with a receiving line of dozens of local Rotarians lined up to welcome us as well as the dozens of visitors that arrived earlier. Walking into this festive scenario with Donalee was like walking in with a Rock Star. The hosts, past District Governor Vincente de Arbesu and District Governor "Kikis" Lopez de Arbesu, as well as their adult son & daughter gave Donalee the warmest hugs. Mexicans usually are just sitting down for their dinner at 10 pm so we were just on time for this grand welcome & dinner. Shortly afterward we were shuttled to our hotel & had a brief sleep before it was time to get up for breakfast and the opening of the conference.
District 5495 Governor Larry Horton, District 5495 Governor Elect Kevin Pitts, District 5500 Anita McDonald, District 4185 Governor Enriqueta "Kiki" Lopez & RC of Zacatlan President Sandra Cruz Ortega rang the bell & each had an opportunity to speak to introduce themselves. Kiki is a most inspiring speaker. Her opening remarks reiterated the "Imagine Rotary" Theme for 2022, "Rotary has shown us there is a world without borders where each child has a right to food, clean water, medical care and education." Her closing words, "You are warriors of light" for what you have done and can do for humanity. No challenge is above your will, ethics or leadership."
Members attending were from four different countries: US, Argentina, Columbia & various regions of Mexico. From the US, the District Governors were from AZ who have had a partnership with District 4185 for over 22 years and have supported several global grants together. There were 2 New York RC represented: Suffern and the Spanish Speaking RC of Rochester. One other US Rotarian from Maryland who was involved in preservation of bees & monarch butterflies. There were also local government officials.
Twenty-one projects were presented: one for peace& conflict prevention, five for the treatment & prevention of diseases, seven for water, sanitation & hygiene, one for maternal& child health, one for literacy, two for economic development of a community and five for the environment.
On Saturday early afternoon the clubs were listed on large post-it notes where different clubs were invited to make a financial commitment to a project.
When Donalee saw her friend from previous projects our club sponsored, Donalee said she knew exactly which project she was going to support: the Literacy Program for Boca del Torro Public Libraries written by Martha Castro & Maky Cancino.
The organizing committee spend Saturday afternoon tabulating the totals of the financial commitments to determine which projects were fully funded, partially funded or not funded. Sunday afternoon we went to a beautiful historic Hacienda (country estate or manor house) where a new water preservation project was presented, bidding was made and the other projects that were fully funded were presented. The local water retaining project was fully funded as well as 6 other projects.
The convention was a great success for all, even if a project was not funded, project writers & presenters "Imagined Rotary." Kiki reiterated that all clubs now had experience of examining their community for a need, developing an idea, writing & presenting applications for a project. Kiki reassured all, "This an opportunity to work through your fears to find a way to serve. And the one who serves, benefits the most."
