The Club will NOT meet May 1, 2018
Program: Dr. Mark Guzman
The Last Forbidden Kingdom: Nepal Himalayas Upper Mustang Valley
Dr. Guzman joined us to tell us about his trip to Nepal. He made the trek to do ecological studies in an area that is very harsh—both in its landscape and human history. The government is very corrupt, having confiscated millions of aid dollars that have been sent from around the world.
The was in the Mustang valley of Nepal, an area heavily damaged by the earthquake. The valley pokes into Tibet and is pristine. is group made a 200-mile circular trek over three weeks. The elevation ranged from 14-16,000 feet with sentinel peaks of 27,000 feet surrounding the valley. It is a very dry region, with a lot of wind and dust. There are gorgeous temples for the Buddhist and Hindu religions that sit on high plateaus. The homes were very meager by comparison. The area has the longest prayer wall in the world, made of large rocks that they have decorated with prayers.
Previously inaccessible, the area has only been open to outsiders for 30 years. The Chinese are constructing roads in order to extract uranium.
The visiting group gave away eyeglasses and head lamps to the people of the area. Dr. Guzman was able to practice medicine, he helped patients with stomach problems, lung issues as well as muscular/skeletal problems. In addition, the group started a recycling project in the valley. They will be returning in October to continue the project.
Announcements/Business:
- Board meeting report:
- $1000 to the Guatemala project that assists girls and women in education and job development.
- $500 to the Interact Clubs who helped at St. Patty’s Day party.
- $1500 will go to purchase books and place Rotary stickers in them for the incoming kindergartners.
- The Club and the Fitzsimmons Middle School Interactors will hold an “Unsung Hero” luncheon at Platte Canyon to honor employees who are seldom recognized.
- Mountain Area Home and Garden Show: the sign up is complete, we can always use additional help - especially during the Friday setup from 3 to 7 PM at Evergreen High School.
- The Conifer Rotary Foundation is supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library purchasing books for kids.
- The District Rotary Celebration is May 19-20; members can register on the District 5450 website.
- RYLA/YRYLA: Thanks to all the members who interviewed the young people this past week. We will be sending ten kids to the Rotary Youth Leadership camps. Suzanne shared the inspiring messages the kids wrote about in their essays.
- May 19 the Conifer Rotary will be providing volunteers for the 9 Health Fair being held at Our Lady of the Pines and a team to take down tables at the Veterans’ Rendezvous at Aspen Ridge Church in Marshdale. Charlotte will be signing up volunteers for both events.
- Tom Becker is organizing a day at the Rockies for the Club. The Rockies give back $5 of the $17 ticket price to Conifer High School baseball. It will be a party!! Watch for the date!
New (old) Member induction: Tom Becker!!! Welcome