Vol. 17, No. 37, March 14, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE:

This Reveille Home Page | The Friday Program: Computer Forensics and Investigations | Rock Bottom BBRC Fellowship St. Patrick's Day! | Retreat Update | Rotary Foundation Recognition | Friday Potpourri | Supporting Agros | New Member Proposed: Kelly Nolan | Student of the Month: Kayla Brown | Corporate Sponsors Being Rounded Up | Web Fun

Supporting Agros

The matching fund exercise, however tedious, works to perfection when all the pieces are in place. Steve Lingenbrink, along with Curt Cummings and their two daughters, Sarah and Ciara, respectively, returned recently from another trip to Guatemala and to the village “halfway up the mountain.” Steve introduced Emily Bergstrom, Resource Development director from Agros to accept a check for $19,000 from the Rotary Foundation.

Steve explained that the grant began 18 months ago when funds were collected from the BBRC ($3000), $1000 from the Guatemala City Rotary, $1000 from District 5030, $2000 from individuals and the balance matched by the Rotary Foundation. The check makes it possible to complete a water project which brings running water to the village for the first time.

Bergstrom thanked the BBRC and Rotary for the support and sponsoring this vital project for the families of Xeucalvitz, the village “halfway up the mountain.”

* * *

First Person Update on Xeucalvitz
Steve Lingenbrink

On February 18th BBRC members Steve Lingenbrink and Curtis Cumming, with their daughters Sarah Lingenbrink (10) and Ciara Cummings (8), headed off with a team of eight others to the village of Xeucalvitz, Guatemala.  Xeucalvitz is in the high country of northern Guatemala in the Ixil Triangle, more than 10 hour drive north of the airport they flew into in Guatemala City. The Team was organized by Mike and Kelly Yukevich of Agros International (www.agros.org). The purpose of the trip was three fold: 

1. To revisit the village that Steve and Terri Lingenbrink had become the “champions” of in 2003 to raise the funds necessary to purchase land and rebuild the entire village. 

2. To complete a road up to the village. 

3. To plan for the future water project and education project components of the Village.

During their trip they spent two days getting to the village, six days in the village and then a few additional days in Guatemala “decompressing” before returning.  The trip was a success.  This was the first group that had ever stayed overnight in the village.  During their stay the villagers and the team gradually grew close and began interacting both at a work and recreational level.  The girls taught the children hand games, jump rope, games like “duck duck goose” and basic English words.  They also worked side by side with their dads and the villagers on the road. 

It’s difficult to say who learned more on this trip.  Clearly, the girls got an education that can never be learned in a classroom.  Steve and Curt and the team became much closer to the villagers.  Also, the villagers have a gut level understanding that Agros is in this for the long haul and is willing to help to the completion of this project.  The villagers understand that the Rotary Club had involvement in the land purchase as well as the upcoming water project. 

Suffice it to say that there is now a bond between the BBRC and this village of 108 indigenous Mayan Indian Families.

CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BBRC CENTENNIAL PROJECT

TOP

Reveille | Reveille Archives | Meeting Information | Calendar | How to Join the BBRC | Officers & Directors | Committees | Online Member Directory | Short Directory PDF File | Directory Info Form | Set Up User Info | Forgot User Info | Meeting Make-Up Form | Attendance Statistics | New Member Application (PDF File) | Expense-Funding Request Form (PDF File) | Rotary Foundation Pledge Form | District 5030 Website & Newsletter | 2004 Raffle Winner | About the Raffle | Email Us

DISTRICT 5030 CLUB INFORMATION
Includes links to club websites and where and when other clubs meet.