Rotary Shelterbox Project

Just another great deed of the Rotary Club....During the time spent with my Rotarian hosts in Otter Valley, I was delighted to learn about the Shelterbox project. The project was launched by the Rotary club of Helston-Lizard in Cornwall which the Otter Vally is active in supporting.   Shelterbox is intended help with aid response to most disasters in the form of food, medicine, and shelter to help people survive the immediate aftermath.  Where I work at in Central America, disasters arise from earthquakes, tsunami's, and floods.  The Shelterbox project has motivated me to advocate this program to areas of Latin America where I plan to continue my work.  I included a Youtube video about the project to provide more information to spread the cause.

http://www.shelterbox.org/

Ambassadorial Link Weekend in Exeter, Devon

Carrying the London 2012 Olympic Torch at the evening Ceilidh

Presentations at the 800 year old Civic Guildhall in Exeter

I traveled two hours, southwest on the National Rail, to the beautiful and historic land of Exeter, Devon.  The event was designed to be a meet and greet with approximately 60 Ambassadorial scholars studying in Scotland, Ireland, and Great Britain.  This was a fully packed weekend with presentations from the Lord Mayor of Exeter and other Rotary members.  We also had a 3 hour Red Coat Tour where we saw some of Exeter's historical sites.  At the station, I was greeted by my Rotarian host, Terry Blackler of the Otter Valley club.  Terry and his wife, Anne, were such generous, accommodating and hospitable people.  They live outside Exeter in the countryside and it was a nice change especially coming from the city.  My first night, I was invited to a barbeque at the Otter Valley Club hall.  I met the current club president and discovered that he was knighted by the Queen, carrying the title of "Sir".  His name was Sir John Evans and although he is now retired, he served as the police Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall.  We also served as the head of the entire Police Association in England.  I really enjoyed myself and the time spent with my hosts.  Anne, prided herself to enculturate me with British beer, breakfast, corned beef hash, and the acquired taste of Marmite.  I do hope to visit them again before my study in London is over.  The height of the weekend's events was the evening Ceilidh, which is a Gaelic social gathering, involving a Gaelic folk band playing music and, of course, scholars dancing. No one could escape participating, but it was all good fun with plenty of laughing. 

My host Terry Blackler in his lovely home. Picture taken by his wife, Anne

Each Rotary event I take part in, I learn more details about RI's mission to promote health, support education, and to alleviate poverty.  It is a good reminder of what I represent and how my own personal mission is in line with RI.  This Link Weekend proved to be an invaluable opportunity to experience great British and Devonian hospitality through staying with my Rotarian family and to meet and establish life-long friendships with other scholars from around the world.

London Film School

The London Film School, located in Covent Garden.  Right in the heart of downtown London, this is the oldest international film school in the world.

Course 179 - Term 1- MA Filmmaking

My classmates range from all parts of the world such as France, Norway, Brazil, Pakistan, Greece, Venezuela, China, Romania, Zimbabwe, India, United Kingdom, and the United States.  We are truly a diverse group of talented, creative and artistic students who believe that the London Film School will transform us into tomorrow's leading and innovative filmmakers.

My group unit for our Term 1 Films on our practical with the Aaton 16mm camera with our instructor Terry Hopkins.  From the left, Jackie Teboul, Dimitry Kalinin, Lily Dong, Shahrukh Naveed, and Losif Mainas (Not Pictured).

District Governors Equality Meeting

 On the 20th of October, I was invited to attend the RIBI District Governors meeting on Equality  by District Governor, Suraiya Kassamally.  The meeting was held at the York Gate, London Rotary Headquarters.  I had the privilege of meeting various District Governors and to get an understanding of the type of meetings they conduct.  This meeting was led by Ken Billington, RIBI Specialist,  and it was an opportunity for members to get a refresher on the issues regarding the proper recognition of the Equality Act.  We separated in groups and were given a series of scenarios about situations that involve Rotarians and how unforeseen situations should be addressed according to the Equality Act.  This act requires equal treatment in access to employment as well as private and public services, regardless of the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. In the case of gender, there are special protections for pregnant women.  It was clear how serious the London Rotary valued protecting its members and the image of the Rotary Club.  Although, the scenarios seemed fabricated for the purpose of the exercise, Ken informed the group that they were all actual case studies that had occurred in the past by other Rotarians.  In the end, it came to using common sense and manners, but most of all abiding by the four way test.

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Landed in London, UK

My first post on the ground in London!  I arrived on the 3rd of September and the following Friday after arriving I met up with my host counselor.  His name is Christoph von Luttiz of the Hammersmith Rotary Club in London.  I was invited to attend their Friday lunch meeting where I had the opportunity to introduce myself to the members present.  I gave a short presentation to the members about my hopes as a scholar in London and what I hope to gain with my education from the London Film School.  The meeting is structured much like an American Rotary meeting, however I did find it quite interesting how the members take time in their meeting agenda to make a toast to the Queen.  This shows a sense of historic and nationalistic pride and I really respected that.  In the states, we never see a sense of pride by making as toast to the President of the United States. 

The photos included show the Hammersmith lunch meeting and a picture of me with my host counselor and another Rotary member of the club.  Christoph is on the right and Nathan is on the left.