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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
December 5, 2019
Aleda Winget
Article by: Teri Pickle
Photos by: EJ Dieterle
Bob Rathborne introduced our guest speaker, Aleda Winget. The title of her presentation was “Working with Young Women in Northern Ethiopia”. Aleda has had two assignments with the Peace Corps, first in Tonga and then in Ethiopia. She shared the three goals of Peace Corps:
Goal 1: Train people how to take care of themselves and others
Goal 2: Help promote better understanding of Americans on the part of people served
Goal 3: Help promote a better understanding of other peoples on part of the Americans
Goal 2: Help promote better understanding of Americans on the part of people served
Goal 3: Help promote a better understanding of other peoples on part of the Americans
Aleda’s main focus in the 20 months she was in Ethiopia was to support young women. She and her husband lived with one family (mother, father, three boys) during her time there.
She shared her experiences through photographs depicting different events and activities.
She shared her experiences through photographs depicting different events and activities.
Aleda explained that her main reason in going was that women are still brought up knowing that their basic purpose is to serve as a “womb”, nothing more, but to procreate for their husbands. She wanted to convey to both the young women and men that they are capable of much more than that. She used statistics to emphasize this philosophy. Her goal was to teach problem solving skills, goal setting, planning and decision making, so that whenever these young people needed to make choices, they would have the tools to do so using critical thinking skills.
She believes her message was well received by the young people, not as much by the elders.
When asked about the history of the Peace Corps, Aleda shared that is was started by John F. Kennedy, in hopes of showing that Americans are about “service”. Since its inception in 1961 more than 210,000 people have served. Currently there are about 8,000 each year in 63 countries. Over the years the Peace Corps has helped in more than 120 countries. For any site that applies, The Peace Corps commits six years total, three people over the course of those years, to complete the requested project. The annual budget at its highest has been at $410 million, approved by Congress. Sadly, she says the current administration has cut the budget to $350. She feels that the Peace Corps has always been at it’s core a non partisan program. She would recommend it anyone. Aleda shared that the oldest volunteer is 72 years old and is serving in Morocco. Anyone 18 or over can join.
Aleda shared that she would define the success of her participation if 10 young women understand they are in control of their own reproductive systems and decisions. She felt she shouted it from the roof tops when she was there and compared her work to a drop of water, that become a ripple and then an ocean.
Overall, she feels that Ethiopia is “beautiful, tragic, amazing, and loving” and that the experience has changed forever. Her final note to us was that “there is nothing better you can do for global development than to educate a girl, and that support is the heart of everything”!
December 5 2019 CLUB MEETING
Article by: Teri Pickle
Photos by: EJ Dieterle
Greeters: (name available later)
Sargent at Arms – Pledge of Allegiance: (name available later)
Inspirational Thought: ----
Guests and Visitors: Bob Rathborne, founding member of our club and honorary member. He is friends with the guest speaker.
Announcements
Happy/Crappy News Linda Croce-Andersen shared the items she and Renee purchased with our donations for the Adopt A Family Program at Coastside Hope. We will support 6 seniors this year.
Susan announced that she and Mitone met with staff at Senior Coastsiders and identified several community service projects for the club.
Kevin shared about his trip to Washington to visit his daughter and her family.
Mitone shared that her daughter has committed to Eastern Illinois University.
Marble Draw 
No winner this week. Maybe next week.
No winner this week. Maybe next week.REMINDERS
Our Monthly Rotary Day at the Community Free Breakfast (held at the Lutheran Church will be Wednesday, December 25. Please sign up with Rose Serdy for a shift for future days (last Wednesday of each month.)
PHOTO GALLERY
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