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Special Work Week for Juneau
Rotary Club
Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Juneau Glacier Valley, along
with Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Juneau Gastineau created
their own custom-made Project Amigo Winter Work Week the end of
January, 2008. Leaving behind their world of ice and snow, they
let the warmth of Colima and her people seep into their bodies
and hearts.
It was an extraordinary time – they built shade structures
over the public washing areas used by the women at the labor camp
in Quesería. They distributed books and used clothing to
poor rural primary schools. And they savored their week in the
sun until the very last minute.
“I thought I might make a small difference in a
child’s life, but found they have made a big difference in
mine. I hope this experience dances in my Alaska dreaming
forever. When all else fails, just touch a child...” --
Virginia Smiley, Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary
"As many who have gone before us know, it is not easy to
state our feelings in a simple sentence or two, but I'll try.
I have been in Rotary for shy of 29 years and have always been
very active, but Project Amigo is clearly the highlight of my
Rotary experience. Meeting the children, seeing their faces and
knowing that there has been tremendous progress in education
because of your work simply goes to the heart in all ways. It
would be easy to get overwhelmed with all the things that
"could or should" be done, but more important is what
has been accomplished. Seeing the children who have advanced
their education and learned other ways that they can give back
and help in their own community while moving forward
themselves.... well, it's very impactful on us as
individuals. I also am one to look for important "forks in
the road" of life ...... chance meetings that are not
chance. When Leslie and I walked into the "Hall of
Friendship" in San Antonio at the Rotary International
Conference, we could have gone any one a hundred different
directions, but our decision to have lunch, Leslie's decision
to go look for a table to sit while I got the food, and Ted's
offer to her to join him at his table.....was it all
“chance”..? That simple set of actions opened the
door for many Juneau Rotarians to share the experience of Project
Amigo. Leslie and I only regret it has taken us this long to be
among those who traveled to help."
-- Craig and Leslie Dahl, Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary
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Work Week
Work Week Volunteer Dr. Boyd Taylor from the Rotary Club of
Susanville, California, gives a boy a Christmas gift of a new
set of clothes.
Queseria
A boy living in the Quesería migrant labor camp looks
at a book given him as part of Project Amigo's Literacy
Initiative aimed at improving reading through access to
colorful, fun, children's books. The books, donated by the
Sunrise Rotary Club of Boise, Idaho, are the first books
anyone in their families has owned.
Christmas Fiesta
Volunteer Bob Hardenbrook from the Rotary Club of Reno South,
Nevada, didn't need to speak Spanish to convince the
children that he was the real Santa at Project Amigo's
annual Christmas Fiesta.
Beach Party
Project Amigo Founder and Executive Director Ted Rose with
friends at the annual beach party for poor children. Though
some of the children live only a few miles from the coast,
many have never been to the beach before
Shoe Donations
Children living in the Quesería migrant labor camp wait
in line to receive donated shoes.
Clothes Donation
Girls living in Cofradía de Suchitlán are
pleased with new clothes they receive each year at the Project
Amigo Christmas Fiesta.
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