Love in a Time of Rotary

Posted by Erynne Gilpin  
 
Love in a Time of Rotary
 
A recent visit to Squamish B.C. revealed to me, just how beautifully small our world really is. In a visit to a family friend, we realized that her father, Allan Hardy (former district governor of Southwestern Ontario) and I had probably crossed paths in our lives. We shared a wonderful conversation on the phone, and from this conversation, I felt the urge to share my deep gratitude and life changing experiences to the larger Rotary community:
 
On August 4th 2007, I stepped off the plane and into what would be the rest of my life. In the year of 2007-2008 I participated in the Rotary Ambassadorial Sholarship Program in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais- Brazil. I remember the exhilaration I felt at the annual Grand Rapids conference as I slowly began to meet other inbound and outbound students, who had the same fears, cautions, but most importantly dreams about peace as I did.
 
I remember one by one, the inbound students were announced from the diverse countries, followed by a polite but welcoming applause. It wasn’t until they announced Brazil, and I witnessed the students stand up in a roar and whip their shirts around their heads that I realized there was adventure to come. You should have seen the look on my parents faces.
 
Since my exchange in Brazil, I have maintained wonderful relations with Rotary International, specifically through my home club London Hyde Park; with ongoing support from Wendy Jennings and Barbara Robins. In 2013, I was honoured to be selected as a Rotary Peace Ambassador, and studied at the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador in Human Rights and Peace Education. Since
then, I have completed my Master’s Degree in Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria and have just recently begun my Doctorate in the Program. I myself am Saulteaux Cree-Métis scholar of mixed Filipina and Irish descendency, I am passionate about the wellbeing of Indigenous Communities in both national and international communities. My current research focuses on the role of Indigenous
Education as a tool of empowerment and healing within Indigenous communities.
 
And as I told Al Hardy, “it all began with Rotary”.
 
My exchange in Brazil exposed me to my deep desire to understand world issues and to work for regenerative peace. Rotary has not only been an integral piece to my own profound personal growth, deepened peace work and continuing academic career, but has also been a guide to something a lot more intimate:  my heart.
 
In 2013, I traveled back to Brazil with Development and Peace as a participant of the UN Earth Summit. I worked as a translator at the International Conference of Indigenous Sustainability and Self-Determination and ultimately was able to visit my host families and friends. It was also when I met Peruzzo. Peruzzo is a professional climb and outdoor living photographer who is passionate about photography as a tool
to incite reflection about the relationship with self, others, spirit and the Land. He is a breath of fresh air and a care-giver to anyone who crosses his path. We are grateful for every moment that we have had since our first encounter in his (and my) hometown of Uberlândia! Since then, we have been working with creative, determined and focused love in the building of our relationship. In September of 2014, my sister and I visited him, his family, and my host families in Brazil and after a year of hard work, we were successful in receiving a tourist Visa for Peruzzo’s first visit to Canada and to my family home in Komoka, Ontario! Since then, we have been in Victoria B.C. and are constantly amazed of the blessing of our relationship. Although challenging and often stressful, we are working towards the next steps of Peruzzo’s visa (as it has been very difficult he is unable to work), but grow stronger from these challenges every day.
 
Our love proves that love transcends borders, culture and distance. It is a gift we give thanks for on a daily basis. And now, we want to offer our deepest of gratitude to the Rotary community! Over and over again we realize the integral role that Rotary has had in my, and now both of our lives. We discuss about one day participating in the Youth exchange program and hosting exchange students in our own home! Until
then, we navigate the challenges of visa applications and try to give thanks for the unique blessing of our time together and of the role Rotary had in bringing us together.
 
This is a story of how Rotary changes lives. Of how Rotary brings people together, opens the hearts of those across distance, culture and geography. I continue to reflect about the profound changes within myself, due to my time with Rotary- and as I expressed with Al Hardy on the phone, continue to feel “overwhelmed with gratitude”. I hope this short story touches you in some way and you continue to work for meaningful justice and transformative peace in our global community. Let us together “make a world where all worlds fit!”
 
Erynne Gilpin (and Peruzzo)

A photo of myself on my exchange in 2007-2008!