A view from the Group Study Exchange (GSE) team - District 1270, North East England.
In May 2008, Fiona, Sarah, Stephanie & Stuart (Rotarian, DAG & Leader) were privileged to visit Colombia for a whole month. We had few preconceived views of what to expect, none of the team had had any previous exposure to Central South America.
We were lovingly accommodated by Colombian families, visited many projects, sites and Rotary Clubs. What did we learn from our exchange with Colombia?
The Colombians are warm friendly people, who love to dance
They are very generous, some we met were poor, often people that had fled the troubles with the guerillas in the south, with only what they could carry on their backs. However they would offer you a drink or snack and do it with sincerity & a huge smile
They always have time to speak and greet you, with a smile
Language can be a problem, if you let it – the younger people speak English well
What about the guerillas & the drugs barons. They are one in the same now, they have lost populous support and sadly for Mexico the drug barons are moving there
What about education & health care? Every child is entitled to free education and free medical care. A lot of the schools & hospitals are Foundations – not profit making. Some those fortunate to be able to pay for their children’s education or for health care directly subsidise those that cannot afford to pay.
Obviously if you pay – you get a better standard of education or health care.
Were you afraid to walk around a night? No more so that in my home town
The economy is improving all the time, the country is rich in minerals, the government is commercially astute and the manufacturing base growing.
Until recently the government has had to spend a third of its GNP to win the fight against the guerrillas. Now the war is nearing its end, the government can devote more resources to the social programme & infrastructure
Colombia is predominately Roman Catholic and promiscuity is far less prevalent than in the UK
Colombia is a beautiful country, inland it is dominated by the Andes mountain range and the coast has the beautiful cities of Cartegna & Santa Marta. In addition to this there are the un-spoilt islands in the Caribbean.
What about drugs drink and Rock ‘n’ Roll. We never saw evidence of drugs, we saw no binge drinking, but the Colombians love to dance.
Would we send our children to Colombia on Rotary’s Youth Exchange most certainly!
PS – Stuart returned in May 2009, to enjoy the Rotary District Conference and visit various projects that his Rotary District is supporting.
Stuart Leyland – July 2009
RC. Barton upon Humber (1270)
stuart.leyland@foremansbuildings.co.uk
In May 2008, Fiona, Sarah, Stephanie & Stuart (Rotarian, DAG & Leader) were privileged to visit Colombia for a whole month. We had few preconceived views of what to expect, none of the team had had any previous exposure to Central South America.
We were lovingly accommodated by Colombian families, visited many projects, sites and Rotary Clubs. What did we learn from our exchange with Colombia?
The Colombians are warm friendly people, who love to dance
They are very generous, some we met were poor, often people that had fled the troubles with the guerillas in the south, with only what they could carry on their backs. However they would offer you a drink or snack and do it with sincerity & a huge smile
They always have time to speak and greet you, with a smile
Language can be a problem, if you let it – the younger people speak English well
What about the guerillas & the drugs barons. They are one in the same now, they have lost populous support and sadly for Mexico the drug barons are moving there
What about education & health care? Every child is entitled to free education and free medical care. A lot of the schools & hospitals are Foundations – not profit making. Some those fortunate to be able to pay for their children’s education or for health care directly subsidise those that cannot afford to pay.
Obviously if you pay – you get a better standard of education or health care.
Were you afraid to walk around a night? No more so that in my home town
The economy is improving all the time, the country is rich in minerals, the government is commercially astute and the manufacturing base growing.
Until recently the government has had to spend a third of its GNP to win the fight against the guerrillas. Now the war is nearing its end, the government can devote more resources to the social programme & infrastructure
Colombia is predominately Roman Catholic and promiscuity is far less prevalent than in the UK
Colombia is a beautiful country, inland it is dominated by the Andes mountain range and the coast has the beautiful cities of Cartegna & Santa Marta. In addition to this there are the un-spoilt islands in the Caribbean.
What about drugs drink and Rock ‘n’ Roll. We never saw evidence of drugs, we saw no binge drinking, but the Colombians love to dance.
Would we send our children to Colombia on Rotary’s Youth Exchange most certainly!
PS – Stuart returned in May 2009, to enjoy the Rotary District Conference and visit various projects that his Rotary District is supporting.
Stuart Leyland – July 2009
RC. Barton upon Humber (1270)
stuart.leyland@foremansbuildings.co.uk
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