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District 3810 of the Philippines by a team of 12 District 5040 members on a Rotary Friendship Exchange is starting in Manila. The team will assist the Caring Hearts Dentistry Society, a group of dentists, hygienists, and volunteers from Richmond by distributing food and dental/hygiene kits on three occasions. Several dental offices in Squamish, including Rotarians, Drs. Laurie and Lino Vanzella, donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental supplies.
The visiting team will be home hosted during its stay in Manila and will also be staying in Panglao for a few days. The Rotary Club of Manila was the first Rotary club in Asia and will be celebrating its 100 anniversary this year. There are now over 800 Rotary clubs in the Philippines.
The Philippine Project began in 1979, but was officially launched as the Polio Plus Campaign of Rotary International in 1985. The Philippines were declared polio free in 2000.
The Rotary District 5040 Friendship Exchange group prepares to depart from Vancouver International Airport: (l to r) Ajit Thandi, PDG Sonia Baron, RFE Chair Elena Agala, Don Moir, Manjit Thandi, Joyce Alisharan, Janice Froese, Liz Scott, Kathy Moir, Davinder Grewal and Lorna Simms