Aroostook County became an ambassador community last month to five members of a Group Study Exchange Team through Rotary International, all hailing from South Africa. These young professionals arrived to embark upon a five-day social and vocation experience to build better understanding and goodwill through a global network of community volunteers.
Rotary International, and specifically the Presque Isle Rotary Club, encourages the Group Study Exchange program each year because of the very critical role it plays in the fundamentals of world peace. Rotary District 7810 of which Presque Isle Rotary is a member, sent a team of five to South Africa earlier this spring for a 6-week visit in various areas of that country and in return this dynamic group “exchanged” arriving here in early May for their 6-week visit.
The South Africans’ time with Presque Isle Rotary was their only Rotary experience in Maine and the United States as the majority of District 7810 belongs in New Brunswick, Canada where the rest of their visits took place.
Upon arriving in Aroostook County the GSE team experienced hospitality from Rotarians and their friends and families and made life-long connections with people, places, and things. They were greeted warmly by all who met them but it was immediately recognizable that each one of the visitors had an eagerness to absorb all things American and embrace the traditions, culture, and slogan of “Maine, the way life should be”. The GSE team members marveled at the history within the central Aroostook area from Fort Fairfield to New Sweden where they toured various museums, from the growing Amish community in Easton, to the wonderful businesses in Presque Isle. And they were especially excited about the moose!
“They remarked again and again that the people here, whether a business visit or a relaxing barbecue with new friends … the hospitality was tremendous. But it is important to note that the locals gained as much from them as they did from us. These five people came into this area with complete openness of trust and confidence in the people and the place that they had never been before … what a lesson and each Rotarian was enriched by the experience,” said host Rotarian Sharon Campbell.
Joe Clukey, president Presque Isle Rotary Club stated “We have hosted a great number of international Group Study Exchange teams, and I wouldn’t even guess how many countries have visited, but each one brings its own style and passion for the experience and the exchanging of ideas both in business and in culture.”
The Presque Isle Rotary Club hosted many social events, including one in conjunction with the Limestone and Fort Fairfield Rotary clubs and the South African team presented to each group a brief history and description of South Africa and the surrounding countries and performed a native song to close the presentation.
“This group really connected with our communalities and in five short days enriched our lives and we hope we have given them a unique experience that will leave them with many great memories of a little place in northern Maine that chance and Rotary brought them to know,” said Clukey.
To learn more about the Group Study Exchange concept or Rotary, visit www.rotary.org or the local Presque Isle Rotary Club Web site at www.presqueislerotary.org.
Contributed photo/Robert Grove-Markwood
A GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE team from South Africa, pictured at left, recently visited central Aroostook County as guests of area Rotary Clubs. Making a May 19 meeting of the Presque Isle Rotary Club were, from left, Cheryl Jute, South African GSE Team Leader; John Phiri, team member representing the Pietersburg Capricorn Club: Sharon Campbell, Group Study Exchange Committee chair; Tobias Fourie, representing the Louis Trichardt Rotary Club; Alton Hartt, incoming PI Rotary president; David Letsoalo, representing the Haenertsburg Rotary Club: and Michelle Lerm, representing the Rotary Club of Pretoria East.
