GSE Reports on Philippine Trip

Great presentation today from Jon Miguel and Doug Detweiler regarding their trip to the Philippines. Our club helped sponsor Jon as part of a district wide initiative for the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team 2010. The GSE's purpose is to have non-Rotarians visit foreign countries and live with Rotarians for 30 days. Doug is a member of the Northboro club, and was the Rotary leader on this trip. Team members spent 3 to 4 nights with 10 different families visiting many areas of the Philippines. They noted that "living and interacting with local people" really gives you a feel for the culture and the way people live their everyday lives. This is far different from visiting a country and staying in a hotel on the beach. The members visited area business', attended festivals, shopped and ate where the locals ate. Jon said 'we got the Royal Treatment" by our host. They were incredible. Doug also noted that Rotary is very visible throughout Philippines.(Text by Tony Gallo)