Last Tuesday PP Francis dela Cruz presented a proposal from his friend, Rtn. Oka of the Rotary club of Hagi, Japan. The proposal was for a matching grant of 2M Japanese Yen for the transfer of technology in pottery making to the beneficiary of our choice. Outright, the project seemed impossible as RI does not approve of projects of this kind.

Hagi is a place in Japan famous for its pottery industry. Its products are known for its quality and for its white transluscent glaze. If the technique and skill of the Hagi potters could be taught to the people involved in the pottery industry in Hibao-an, Pavia, it will be a big boost to their livelihood, economy and likewise upgrade the local industry.

Seeing its potential, we have organized a special committee of which PP Francis is the chairman to look into how we will be able to avail of the offer and transfer the skill and technique to the people in Hibao-an, Pavia. We also need information regarding the local pottery industry other than what we know that it is a backyard industry. As such we need volunteers from our members to get involved in this undertaking by being a member of the Hagi Special committee.

As chairman of the Vocational Service committee, Dir. Felix Gurrea has launched the Search for Outstanding Daycare Worker for Mandurriao. In the past years this used to involve all the daycare centers in the city but was discontinued in the last couple of years or so. Through the initiative of Dir. Felix, we are reviving the project on a smaller scale, involving only the Mandurriao district. This is apparently so as only a very few members participate or get involved in our projects. But even if this project covers only the district of Mandurriao, it has 22 daycare centers. Aside from the members of the Vocational Service committee who ought to take the lead for this project, we need more members to act as interviewers and judges to monitor the activities of the different daycare centers. I am therefore encouraging members to volunteer their time and service for this project. You can either boldly stand up and be counted during our meeting or submit your name to our club clerk. Thank you!!