Holland Rotary - 2/6 - Update on Gore, Ethiopia by Gary Bogle

Posted by Terri Smith 
on Jan 15, 2014
 

Program: update from Gary Bogle about the Gore, Ethiopia Project. 

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January 15, 2014 letter from Gary: On December 11th I returned from a visit to the construction site of the Rotary International Humanitarian project in Gore, Ethiopia.
 

I am pleased to inform you that the project is now 30% completed and is due to be finished in February of 2014. What an exciting report! As you may recall, the toilet has 12 flushing toilet stalls, 8 showers, running water, and electric lights. 

 

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While in Ethiopia, I became acquainted with many Rotary and citizen players in the building of the toilet/bathhouse in Gore. Rotarian Gebre Bekele from the Addis Ababa-West Rotary Club was my host during the visit. Gebre and I met on an elevator in Montreal at the 2010 International Rotary Conference and now the project is becoming a reality. After spending 11 days with Gebre, I can say that we are truly Rotarian friends.
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Over the next few weeks I will be presenting an update of this project at the Rotary Clubs in the Holland, Michigan area. The report for our club will be presented on Thursday February 6.
 It took me four days to travel from Chicago to Gore. The road trip from Addis Ababa to Gore was a 20 hour drive on extremely rough roads! Although it was a difficult trip, it was MOST WORTHWHILE. I an anxious to share my experience with you.

 During the Rotarian meeting in Addis Ababa and the town council meeting in Gore, many words of appreciation were expressed for the development and payment of this project. I can never adequately thank those who supported this endeavor.

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Tentative plans are in the works for a return trip to Gore in early May of 2014 to see the completed project and "cut the ribbon."  If Rotarians interested, I will be happy to guide the group. Please contact me if your are interested in the "adventure" so that plans can be made.
 
Gary Bogle, Holland, Michigan
616-355-7144