“I became a true Rotarian. It was that GSE experience. It was a defining moment. I came back and realized that the Foundation was my charity of choice and that I had to convince others that it should be theirs also.” 

The visit to a makeshift school during a Group Study Exchange in South Africa helped to change Rotarian John Tomlinson from Canada. He learned that real teaching is about the love of teaching; he also learned what it meant to be a Rotarian. As the team leader of his GSE team he was already a dedicated Rotarian but what he saw in South Africa made him not just a Rotarian but a cheerleader for the Rotary Foundation. He saw first-hand the importance of the Rotary Foundation’s programs and the impact they have on the world. Through John’s efforts and the Rotary Club of Bolton, ONT, Canada that makeshift school he visited has now benefited from two Rotary Foundation grants. Meanwhile John is busy telling everyone about The Rotary Foundation and why Every Rotarian, Every Year is his charity of choice.