POST ORIENTATION COMMENTS

Dear Trevor

Many thanks for your kind message! As it turnout out, I had to connect to Johannesburg first before flying to Amsterdam. That's why we were on different flights!

I had a great experience in Cape Town and the scholars are truly special. May I also say that your programme was outstanding, the kind of orientation every foreign student in South Africa should have (and the kind many South Africans could use, too?).

Kind regards to Liz and the whole family.

Yours

Joel

Hi Trevor,

I hope you can still use my thoughts on the value of confidence in community for your stated purposes. Please forgive me for taking too long to respond.

"I have been amazed during this orientation at the confidence of my fellow scholars. Each person exhibits a trust that is not necessarily individualistic, not necessarily grounded in one's own greatness, but that is grounded and supported by faith that we each have a valuable place in the larger community. There are some things that I'm good at, and some things I just cannot do, but that's alright because together, we form a complementary, capable, intelligent, loving, giving, articulate, funny, effective and insightful group. Thank you Rotary for giving us the opportunity to experience this truth of community on an international scale. The world is full of wonderful people with wonderful gifts, and of that we can all be confident."

Again, thank you for all you did last weekend. FYI, Alicia Verhage is coming from Grahamstown to Durban to celebrate Holy Week and Easter with. You've facilitated some great friendships. For that and everything else, THANK YOU!!!!

With love,
Anna Erickson


Hello Trevor!
I'm sorry about this - I seem to have lost your other email address, but I wanted to at least send this to the address I still have - hope this is the kind of thing you were looking for!
Rosa

Rotary provides an incredible opportunity to Ambassadorial Scholars, by bringing each of us from our own corners of the world and sending us to unfamiliar - and yet so welcoming - new corners. It seems to me that there is a very direct relationship between what we, as Scholars, are able to give back, and what has been given to us by others. Our individual clubs give us incredible gifts and wonderful chances, but something else remains to be found. Our weekend Orientation in Cape Town helped to compliment those things that our gracious host clubs can give to us, by providing us a chance to be with those who are our own age, who we can, I hope work with for the rest of our lives. We found a balance between respect for what Rotary has done for the world, and celebration of what we cannot yet imagine doing.


Trevor -

I wanted to thank you and the Rotary Foundation for a superb orientation in Cape Town last week. The entire weekend was a great way to be greeted to South Africa and give us a positive and inspiring perspective through which to view our Rotary experience. From the visits to service projects, to the informative talks and meeting with businessmen, court judges, and cultural teachers; I believe that all of us were not only better prepared for our time in RSA, but also inspired to make the most of it.

Many thanks to you, Liz, and all of the other Rotarians that made the orientation possible. It was by far the best and most informative Rotary orientation that I have attended thus far.

Sincerely,

Alicia VerHage
2008 Ambassadorial Scholar from Chicago
Rhodes University, Grahamstown, RSA


Hi Trevor,

I'm still sorting email access out so this message is coming from my landlord's email address. I hope it isn't too late.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Best to you,

Valerie

My in country orientation experience provided me with an invaluable framework for " connecting the dots" between Rotary, People, Government and Industry. It seems Rotarians cross all of these thresholds; this was reflected by my sponsoring club and predeparture orientation. What was missing from my predeparture orientation was how the connections are made on the ground and the possibilities for ambassador scholars to compliment and enhance the work Rotary does.

Trevor managed to organize a dynamic cross section of people projects and information that I now have a clearer picture of the possibilities for me as an Ambassador Scholar in ZA. I believe this year will be monumental for the Rotary International scholars in South African because of participation in this orientation!


Saskia Mey
currently studying Political Science at the University of Namibia in Windhoek
Sponsor Club: RC Bonn, Germany
Host Club: RC Windhoek, Namiba




One Thing I take home from the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Orientation:

“The most amazing experience during this weekend was for me the excursion to the township school in Cape Town. Being able to experience the joy and happiness of the children who own so little and come from a very disadvantaged environment was amazing for me to see. Watching their joyful faces when the children performed their songs and dances was incredible. Playing around and getting to know some of them a little better afterwards showed me even more that the school they go to helps them forget their daily problems and concerns for a few hours every day and teaches them important skills for their future. I will take back to Windhoek and to Germany, that there is a lot of potential hidden in the townships, which needs support. Inspired by this extraordinary experience I plan to get involved with Rotary projects for disadvantaged children in townships in Namibia.”


Trevor,

Just wanted to thank you again for all the hard work and effort you put into making last weekend great. I really appreciated your dedication toward making the orientation a memorable experience for this years Rotary scholars. I know not everyone is getting this treatment... so thanks!

Here is the paragraph you asked for... hopefully it has the same level of sincerity as when I voiced my appreciation Saturday:

"This weekend has been an amazing experience and a great introduction to what will be a great year! I now have a much better understanding of South African culture, history and contemporary issues. The itinerary was thoughtfully crafted to offer a wide range of perspectives on South Africa. I was able to witness the progress in the townships at Mvula School; I listened to those who have experienced South Africa's past and cultural richness first hand; and I was able to bond with my fellow Rotary scholars on a very deep level. Whether it was playing drums overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, paddling in a Dragon boat, or just enjoying a concert the Rotary scholars truly connected as friends. The intrinsic value of the weekend would be impossible to calculate monetarily, but the friendships and impressions that I was fortunate to have experienced during the orientation will last forever."

Best,
R. Louis Gallagher
I loved Greg, the Xhosa speaker who wanted to become the medicine mannish type, a songuma? or somewhere spelled along those lines. I thought that he was a great addition to the mix of guests and with so many intense speakers, he was easy to listen to yet still very inspiring. Its hard to really say any of them weren't great, I thought the judge was a little slow at times but even he was interesting. I don't think there is too much you need to ever change, my experience in Cape Town with you and the rest has given me a new perspective on my time here, and I really believe everyone else feels the same way, it was an absolute blast that I'm still recovering from in body and spirit, every bit of it was a blast. My back is still sore from the dragon boat racing as well, much like LaShona, who probably still feels your passion in her thighs. I can't say thanks enough, if your goal was to inspire and produce activities and relationships that would direct the course of scholars' thoughts, actions and emotions in South Africa, you have succeeded 100%. I will see you again in Cape Town in the near future!

Eben
Thank you for an amazing weekend filled with entertainment and a wealth of information. This weekend has helped to better prepare me for my upcoming year as a Rotary Ambassador. I especially enjoyed hearing stories and seeing what Rotary has been involved in here in South Africa. Speaking with the current scholars and hearing about their community projects has really given me the confidence and motivation to start thinking about the possible projects that I may get involved in. It was wonderful to meet so many other scholars with a diversity of interests and backgrounds and to hear about the projects that they want to conduct. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this orientation (which I hear is the best in the world by the way)!! There could not have been a better introduction to the Rotary Ambassadorial program. You really "Made it happen"

Thank you for inviting us all to be a part of the "Rotary family"

sincerely
Brandy Hussey


Dear John

We have just completed an excellent orientation weekend for in- and outbound scholars and GSE members at the Royal Cape Yacht Club club house in Cape Town harbour. Thirty young people thrilled and responded to an excellent programme once more put together by PP Trevor Wilkins in which evenly spaced components of Rotary, local conditions and team building were presented by a string of experts in their various fields. Trevor has really got the components of the programme down pat and I am sure has achieved what you and the staff set out to do. I have no doubt that your money has been well spent.

One of the highlights was without doubt the contribution made by alumnus Joel Pollock, who was an Ambassadorial Scholar in Cape Town in 2000. This young man, of whom much can be expected in his and, hopefully, Rotary’s future was a stroke of genius by The Rotary Foundation in Evanston in that he was your representative. He carried out his task to perfection and made a huge impact on all present. Please take special note of this and I am sure that you will bring these sentiments to his attention in your thanks to him for the job he did on your behalf. We would love to have him back next year as he adds lustre and context to our proceedings.

Kindest regards

Rodney


Hi Trevor-
Sorry for the delayed response! Below are some thoughts on the orientation (thank you again for an incredible weekend!). I hope your trip to Kansas City went well.

Take care,
Drew

The orientation weekend in Cape Town was an incredible experience; it was a chance to meet scholars studying around the country and to build a sense of community in a place far from home. I think that is what made the largest impact on me. Rotarians have been incredible helpful in making me feel at home in South Africa, but the orientation in Cape Town really put me at ease. It was an opportunity to discuss adapting to a new culture, getting settled, and figuring out the logistics of moving to and living in a foreign city. The weekend made it clear that I have family not only in Durban but in all of South Africa. If I had to pick a particular part of the weekend that made the largest impact I would have to choose Craig, the student of Xhosa culture. His passion for immersing himself in a new culture and way of life was very inspiring. It motivated me to move outside of my comfort zone (even more than I already have) and to fully make the most of my time in South Africa.


Wow! The orientation was so much more than I expected it to be. Meeting up with scholars from different parts of the world was truly inspiring.
Spending the weekend together we got to know each other better, our passions, concerns and plans for the future. From climbing Lions Head to our visit to Mvula school to dragon boat racing - all that we experience during our orientation brought as together as a group - a family in Rotary. There really was a 'spirit of togetherness!'

For me personally, meeting Rosemary Smythe and hearing Helen Lieberman's story was a huge motivation. Their courage and compassion inspires me.

Trevor and Liz, thank-you again for all the time and effort you put into making the orientation a valuable and memorable experience. And for putting me in touch with all the scholars from Durban!

Lara


The orientation in Cape Town really taught me to be open to things that I usually would distance myself from. The best example is the walk up Lion’s Head Mountain. I love to hike, but that particular trek was at the end of a very long day, and the walk up and down was arduous and long. By the time I made it to the base of the mountain, I was tired, sore, frustrated and completely finished with the day. To my surprise, a drumming instructor awaited us at the bottom, ready and eager to give an African drumming lesson. I haughtily sat down and waited for it to be over. However, little by little, I loosened up. His energy was infectious. By the end of the session, he had me shouting, beating on the drums, and even doing a shimmy to “shake, give me all you got!” I could have easily shut myself off to that experience and had an awful time. Instead, I allowed myself to feel his energy, to feel the energy of South Africa, and to embrace the experience. I took that lesson back with me to Johannesburg: never count yourself out. And never count South Africa out. Let the people energize you and give you experiences you never dreamed of.

Samantha Williams, Ambassadorial Scholar from District 6880
Host District, 9300 – University of the Witwatersrand


Hello Trevor,

first of all, I do apologize for the belated sending of my comment.
Hope you had a good trip to the Netherlands.

I enjoyed the whole orientation-programme. It was a well organized programme in terms of how speeches and activities were combined. The walk, then the drum session during sunset and the dragon boat race was awesome. It was great to discover more aspects about South Africa, Rotary and also Cape Town. We heard a lot about the different sides of this wonderful country but it was even better to experience it by visiting Mvula School. It was really most inspiring for me to see the kids, how they sing and dance and just enjoy to have us around. Moreover, it was just overwhelming to see Rosemarie and how she loves her project. You had the impression that you really can do good things for this country and help people. I guess this time at the school had the most impact on me. it was inspiring to hear that Rotary has so many different projects and that they would welcome us scholars to join some projects and just that there is a possibility to help and to be active in South Africa.

Furthermore, I really enjoyed the speech from Craig. After he finished I really wanted to get to know more about the Xhosa- culture and the language.

At last, I found that the speech from Joel was to long and I would have preferred to hear more about the Counsellor/ Student relationship, inbound and also about sexual harrassment.

In sum, thanks for organizing an amazing weekend for as. I'm convinced that nobody of the scholars will forget this time, because it was such a nice atmosphere during the whole weekend. It was great that we had the chance to get to know your family!


Best wishes
Andrea


The orientation weekend organized by Trevor Wilkins was incredibly amazing experience. Not only did it provide a very sociable environment to interact with scholars from abroad but also gave me the opportunity to truly appreciate the humanitarian efforts made by South Africans. Visiting the Mvula Township School started by the remarkable Rosemary Smythe was one of my favourite experiences.
I was able to see firsthand how commitment and real passion for a cause can lead to the realization of dreams. To see how much change one woman had encouraged because of her bravery, determination and belief in her goals was extremely humbling not to mention unbelievably inspiring. I left the school feeling highly motivated and hopeful for things to come.

Being able to share this and the many other wonderful experiences with the scholars was highly enjoyable and the friendships that were made in just those few days are definitely ones made to last.
I want to thank Trevor for being so meticulous in his planning and organisation of our outings and the guests and therefore making the orientation weekend such a memorable one.
Dharschnee Chetty – Outbound Scholar