Guam and Micronesia Dictionary Project Report 2007
Rotary Clubs of Guam
December 23rd, 2007
By Philippe Gerling - GUAM

Phase 1

In the fall of 2006, a Rotary friend and former President of the Rotary Club of Northern Guam approached us about distributing surplus dictionaries from schools in Southern California to islands in Micronesia . John, is actively involved with the SoCal Dictionary Project.

With the assistance of Rotarian Carl Lindlau and his employer, DeWitt Transportation the 54 dictionaries were brought to Guam where they were repackaged in three boxes and shipped with the assistance of Rotary Club President Joe Rios and his employer, Matson Navigation, to the Rotary Clubs of Truk Lagoon, Pohnpei and Palau for distribution to libraries and schools in their respective islands. For those not familiar with the Northwest Pacific Ocean , the map below gives an idea of the distance that separates our islands from each other.

Phase 2

This small initial project encouraged the four Rotary Clubs on Guam join their efforts and present dictionaries to all 3d grade students in public schools on Guam in the fall semester. 2,557 dictionaries were presented to 24 schools on Guam . The Governor of Guam's wife, First Lady Joanne Camacho, participated in one of the presentations with Rotary International District Governor Sakamoto and District Governor Elect Shindo (RI District 2750) to third grade students.

Mrs. Joanne Camacho, wife of the Governor of Guam, talks to the children at the beginning of the dictionary gift presentation at Tamuning Elementary School in Guam Tuesday, November 13, 2007.

Rotary International District 2750 Governor Sakamoto presents dictionaries to third grade students at Tamuning Elementary School in Guam on November 13, 2007.

L to R: Rotary Club of Guam Sunrise President Mickey Flynn, District Assistant Governor David Igitol, RC of Northern Guam President Joe Rios, Rotarian Hank Rice, RC of Tumon Bay President Trisha Salas, District Secretary Michiko Mitarai, RC Guam President Van Shelly and Rotarian John Ibanez with District Governor Sakamoto delivering his remarks in front of the students and the banner they had made to welcome the Rotarians.

Third grade students at Upi Elementary School in Yigo, Guam show their appreciation for the gift of dictionaries they received from the Guam Rotarians.

For more information about this project, you can contact us directly and we will provide contact details for the clubs participating and overseeing this project.