NEXT MEETING: May 5, 2017

Peace through Education

Gem Munro will tell us about the Amarok Society. The organization provides education to the poorest children in the city slums of Bangladesh and Pakistan in a unique way. Rather than opening schools for children, the mothers are taught in the slums, who in turn teach their children and their neighbors’ children all they have learned.  The model allows Amarok Society to reach far more children and reach them more economically than with the traditional model.

Another goal is to nurture a culture of education from within the family.  The method also promotes the empowerment and education of women, but has put them at odds with the growing culture of radicalism in the slums, which has grown more dangerous in recent years. In particular, Gem will speak to the social impact of education and the lives of the women who are transferring their communities.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• May 27 2017 The Interact Boat Cruise will set sail once again. Richmond Rotary has been very generous in helping the Salesian Interact Students attend each year. If anyone would like to contribute send your donation to David Brown and mark Interact Boat Cruise in the Memo. Each student costs $55
• May 20^th 2017 – Annual BARSHEEP Bowlathon to raise money for the Rotocare Clinic. Josh Genser has assembled an unstoppable team but others are encouraged to attend and join in on the fun and raise money for a great cause.

MEETING OF April 28, 2017

Welcome

President Josh Surowitz ran the meeting, Oscar led the pledge and Herb led the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Our principle guest was the Consul General for Mexico, Gemi Jose Gonzales.

Our other guests were Ken Koziol, Nadine Argueze, Nicole Richards, Robert Kroll, Arroal Donsty, Steve Price, Jose Cobos and Felicia Amaral.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Nick Despota turned 68 this weekend and people commented that he does not look a day over 67. He and his wife will celebrate his birthday by going out to a nice dinner.
• Don Lau had Happy Dollars that his second daughter is pregnant with his second grandchild. And so it goes.
• Connie had Happy Dollars that the tax season is over.
• Lilliane had Happy Dollars that the Consul General of Mexico is with us today and will make a presentation to the club.

PROGRAM

The Consul General of Mexico Gemi José Gonzalez

The Consul General for Mexico Gemi José Gonzales addressed the relations between Mexico and the United States. He reviewed an array of facts and figures, including the number of people born in Mexico that live in the United States both legally and illegally and the situation of children who were brought to this country by their parents at a very young age, and, under the Dream Act, obtained US Citizenship. In some cases, they are unaware of the fact that they were not born in the US. Mr. Gonzales recounted a story of a girl who obtained citizenship through the Dream Act. Even with the apparently generous conditions of that law, after her mother was deported the daughter had to wait 10 years before she could travel to Mexico to see her mom.

Attendance at this meeting was very high. Our members listened closely to the presentation by the Consul General, and followed up with probing questions.

- Henry Moe, Rotating Editor