Great friendships. New experiences. Cultural exchanges. Important work.

 

     These are some of the words that come to mind as I prepare this last report from Brazil. They only begin to scratch the surface of what we've experienced on our trip to Fortaleza.

 

     Several years ago, when I was our Club's International Service director, I mentioned at a board meeting I was preparing to visit my Brazilian "family." Alceu Galvão had spent a year with Barbara and me back in 1984-85 as a foreign exchange student at Enid High School. Now one of the leading civil engineers in Brazil, Alceu lives in Fortaleza with his wife, son and daughter, Marli, André and Natália.

 

     When I indicated my plans to visit, the board asked me to look for an international project the Rotary Club of Edmond could call its own. It took several years to develop. But the partnership with the Rotary Club of Fortaleza - Planalto is the result. And the partnership has now concluded its first project, the purchase of a vehicle for Associação Peter Pan, which will use it to transport juvenile cancer patients and their families to get their vitally important medical treatments.

 

     Words can hardly describe what we have experienced here. Krista and I saw with our own eyes how important this joint project is. We viewed the work in progress. We met many of the children who are now receiving treatment for their cancer. We got to know a young couple who had survived cancer, then been taught important job skills they are now putting to use. We saw the vehicle our two Rotary Clubs purchased and donated, with the help of grants from both of our Rotary Districts. We visited the city and surrounding countryside whose residents will benefit from Rotary's generosity.

 

     Everyone who sees the vehicle will see the unmistakable signs it was donated by the Rotary Club of Edmond and the Rotary Club of Fortaleza - Planalto. In almost unfathomable ways, we have joined the two cities in a long-lasting partnership.

 

     I am certain our two Rotary Clubs will continue to work together. Despite the cultural differences, it is amazing how much we have in common. Flávio Araújo joined the Fortaleza - Planalto Club two years ago. When the Club learned of his excellent English language skills, he immediately had his first assignment: speed up communications with the Edmond Rotarians so we can make our joint efforts work. Upon arrival, I discovered Flávio and I share the same classification, for he is a young lawyer. Then we found out the incoming president of Fortaleza - Planalto, Walter Torquato, like Krista, is a dentist. With these and so many other similarities, and the many friendships we've made, I suspect we will continue to work together to fulfill the mission of Rotary.

 

     The Rotary International motto is "Service above Self." This joint project is one way the Rotary Clubs of Edmond and Fortaleza - Planalto have followed that motto.

 

     The Rotary Four-Way Test asks the following questions:

 

Of the things we think, say or do

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

     The Rotary Club of Edmond and the Rotary Club of Fortaleza - Planalto can rest assured that our joint project to purchase a vehicle for Associação Peter Pan will be a long-term reminder of the proper answers to those questions.

 

     Krista and I have much to report.  We will make a formal presentation to the Rotary Club of Edmond on August 4. I hope you can join us then.

 

Andy