Manlai (Mongolia) Iva (Albnia) Wiebke & Jens (Germany)

Patrick and Marilyn Hall, both Past Presidents of the local Pacifica Rotary Chapter invited students from three countries to have dinner and talk about the difference in cultures, customs and living standards in their respective countries. Batmanlai Jargalsaikhan from Mongolia, Iva Cami from Albania and Wiebke Kleinfeldt and Jens Kriete both from Germany were the guests of honor. Patrick and Marilyn shared some of their experiences of their recent trip to Ecuador with Rotary to review the Micro-credit programs that Rotary International has sponsored for many of the poorest countries.

Patrick and Marilyn Hall visited the women involved in one of the village banks that is sponsored by RC of Guayaquil Occidente -   Hogar de Cristo, where the Micro-credit project organization has a sixteen-week repayment plan of $75 - $100 loans. Loans are made to groups with 5-6 members in each group, with the whole group guaranteeing the loan. The Director is elected by the group, and the peer pressure to re-pay the loan is so great, that it results in a default rate of less than 3%. "We asked the women what their goals were, and their answer was better education and a better life” for their children. It costs them $1 each day for 55 gallons of water as there is no running water in their village.

Loans were being made to women like Rosita, who used the money begin a small “tienda” (retail store) where she sells cell-phone cards, juice, ice cream, sandwiches, etc. She has two children, and had no work before; she wants to earn the money to provide better education to her children.

Teresa borrowed $78 to buy a sewing ma-chine to make clothes. Her income helps her raise her four children - One woman bor-rowed $190 to plant a rice crop.

The Micro-credit program helps provide their most basic needs, water and sanitation. "It was amazing to see how much a few hundred dollars could accomplish. Micro-credit programs are a powerful tool to help these people.

Upcoming Events
OCTOBER

Also known as Water Polo

What does Water Polo mean to Anna as told from her Mom’s perspective:

Her school in Germany did not offer after school sports; thus, she wanted to try a new American experience.  Water Polo is a sport Anna had no prior understanding or knowledge of.  She had never watched a game in person nor on television. 

As her first week in school progressed, she talked of Mr. Friedley, a “cool” teacher who coached water polo and was her sixth period Trig/Pre-Calculus teacher.  She decided this was the sport she wanted to try.  Little did she know that her new American family has a background in water polo.  Her cousin played.  Her Uncle still plays.  After a family dinner, she became indoctrinated.  And the rest shall we say is history.

Anna enjoys the after school daily workouts, which incorporate swimming, scrimmaging, and some weight training.  She loves to swim in the outdoor pool where she can feel the sun on her face (you should see her tan)  and look at the nearby mountains.   

Her team captain, other seniors, along with her coach determined the ideal position for Anna was goalie.  Being goalie allows Anna to yell and express herself – get on your girl – cover!  She too gets to play other positions where she has the ability to shoot and score.

What has this opportunity meant to Anna?  She has made some nice friendships with genuine young ladies.  She has learned that all players have specific roles where teammates help inspire, encourage, motivate and support each others successes while working towards the same common goal.   

Water Polo requires endurance and strength.  As I watch from the bleachers, I try to keep my cheering to a minimum, and am just in awe of how these young ladies come together.
SWIM IT SOBRATO – DRIVE, SHOOT, SCORE!! 
GOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!

Lori Jones

ABOUT THOSE PUMPKINS

Selecting the pumpkins you'll carve for your Halloween is very important. You'll need to pick pumpkins according to what you want to carve on them.

Depending on the variety, pumpkins can range in size anywhere from tiny to humongous. Medium sized ones work best for most stencils that you'll make or buy. Very large pumpkins can be carved with elaborate designs and used as "center pieces" on your porch or tables. Advance planning is the key to your pumpkin carving success.

First, decide before buying your pumpkins what designs you will be carving into them. This will allow you to create a shopping list or at least a mental idea of the shapes and sizes of pumpkins you'll need.

If you will be using a stencil to carve your pumpkin, select a pumpkin that is large enough and as close to the same shape as the pattern you're going to carve. It should be as smooth as possible, and free of scratches, dents or gouges.

If you find a perfect pumpkin but it's missing it's stem, have no fear! You can still use it! Just carve the bottom out  for the opening  the same way you would do the top. Then, you just sit your light source on the cleaned bottom piece and sit the pumpkin over it. Works great and you don't need the stem for a lid handle