When Portland Pearl Rotarian Jordan Weisman returned to Nepal last month on his fourth visit to the mountainous Asian country, he celebrated the culmination of a Rotary service project.

First in Nepal in 2000 on a student program from a college in Vermont, Weisman was back to observe–and champion–the $60,000 installation of solar energy at a rural hospital. Over the past two years, Weisman, as chair of Pearl Rotary’s international service committee, has spearheaded the effort to greatly expand electricity at the Bayalpata Hospital.

With the increased power, Weisman told his fellow Rotarians March 26, “They are opening up a new surgery ward. With the solar power inked to the surgical room, they will be able to perform life-saving surgeries.”

Weisman’s visits to Nepal, he said, “have changed my life.” Now with a steady and reliable power supply at the rural hospital, the lives of the 30,000 Nepalese served annually will be changed, even saved.

Under the youthful Rotarian’s leadership, the project was formed with support from three area Rotary Clubs, District 5100, and, significantly, four companies in the solar business (including Weisman’s Sunbridge Solar). Connections were made with the Dhulikhel Rotary Club in Katmandu Valley, District 3292. Nepal’s Nyaya Health NGO committed $12,300. Weisman’s club, through its non-profit Pearl Fund, donated $4,350.

Armed with this multitude of partners, Pearl Rotary successfully sought a Rotary Foundation grant, totaling $20,525.

The result: The western Nepal hospital, which had been operating daily on four to six hours of generator-produced electricity, now has a steady, reliable source of power for its patient area, operating room and administrative office.

Weisman’s five-hour visit in February came after an internal Nepal flight and an eleven-hour car ride over hilly terrain. At the hospital, he was accompanied by Ashok Shrestha, Dhulikhel’s immediate past president, and an assistant district governor. They were greeted by Stephen Peterson, a native of Upstate New York, who has served as chief administrator the past four months.

Weisman’s Powerpoint, with video clips, brought club members and guests–including two Nepalese studying at Portland State University–into the hospital. Patients with severe lung conditions who need oxygen concentrators will not have to wait for electricity. Caesarean-expected mothers will not have to make an arduous trek like Weisman experienced. Operations can be scheduled with far more assurance that power will be available.

Weisman stressed that the project is both sustainable and saves money. A Nepali has been trained to operate and maintain the panels and battery system, assuring both constant supply and longevity of the system. And costly diesel-powered generators are far less needed.

“Without solar, the only option has been generators. But diesel is really, really pricy. Only twenty hours of generator use was used in the last two months since the solar array was installed…

“The financial impact is pretty significant. It was costing about $100 a day to run generators (about ten hours average). That’s $2,500 a month, $30,000 a year. Now that can be spent to hire a doctor, increase salaries. Eventually, this will result in better patient care.”

Weisman’s visit culminated at the hospital with a formal event, with an American flag prominently hanging and Peterson, the director, making a formal dedication. Both, joined by the two Nepali Rotarians, spoke.

Weisman will long remember those momets: “We then handed over plaques. The hospital staff was all present. It was very heartfelt.”

Commentary on the Nepal solar project

“Things like this Nepal project make you proud to be a Rotarian.”
–Dave Haack, president, Portland Pearl Rotary Club

“Thanks to you ([Jordan] that you went there. Thanks for doing such a great thing for the community who are living there and for my country as a whole.”
–Lisha Shrestha, graduate student from Nepal, Portland State University

“What has this meant for us? When I first came here in November, I remember the nights just worrying about patients. We had so many people with COPD on O2 and our solar [original system referring to battery bank] was down to 20% and 15% because we just had no alternatives, otherwise we have no oxygen. I was running around shouting at people, “Turn this light off, turn off that heater.” We were trying to conserve. And now I’m sleeping a little bit better. We have other problems but at least this one’s finished. Not just for my sleep but for the ability to serve our patients, this has been a really tremendous blessing. Thank you again. Thank you very much.”
–Stephen Peterson, administrator, Bayalpata Hospital

“I’m continuously impressed with the power of Rotary’s ‘compounding effect’ when it comes to matching grants for service projects! It’s amazing how a Rotary Club in the Pacific Northwest USA can come together with another in western Nepal and literally improve and save lives for years to come. It warms my heart to serve with Portland Pearl Rotarians like Jordan and his international service committee for projects such as this one in Nepal. This is why we are Rotarians!”
–Lou Radja, immediate past president, Pearl Rotary Club

Rotaract symposium a month away: Roberts, former governor, is keynote

The first and only female governor of Oregon, Barbara Roberts, will be the keynote speaker Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Peace through Women Symposium sponsored by Portland Rotaract. Joining her on the agenda will be Grace Kuto, Kenyan native and Portland resident.

Today, “women are making history,” proclaimed Roberts (governor from 1991-95), when speaking to Pearl Rotary last April (see photo). That situation is “oceans apart” from what she knew growing up in small-town Oregon where it took trips to the public library for her to find female heroes like Amelia Earhart and Susan B. Anthony.

Roberts was Oregon’s 34th governor and has recently published an autobiography, “Up the Capital Steps.” She is a former majority leader of the House of Representatives, served as Oregon Secretary of State, and has been active in local and county government in Portland.

Joining Roberts at the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom are two former and current Rotary district governors: Dean Rohrs, 2007-2008, District 5040, and Deniel Banks, District 5100. The medical and public health sectors will be represented. A panel from the Students for Change Club at West Salem High School is planned.

One additional speaker is Grace Kuto, Kenyan native and Portland resident, who created the Harambee Center in 1995 as a bridge between the Pacific Northwest and her village in Kenya. The Harambee non-profit focuses on education, cultural exchange programs, and self-sustainable projects, including micro-credit, in Africa.

Joining Gov. Roberts, the Rotary governors and Kuto on the program:

• Dr. Suzanne Feeney, a PSU professor, who has background in India, women and microcredit;
• Jennifer Gallardo and Desiree LaFave, MamaBaby Haiti, a Newberg-based non-profit whose goal is decreasing maternal and infant mortality.

Portland Rotaract President Krystle Miller quoted female American peace activist Eleanor Roosevelt “to highlight what we are trying to do with our Peace through Women event. ‘For it isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.’

“Last year we had a wonderful turnout and we expect the same this year. In order to further peace, it is important to recognize and learn from what has already been done. Women have historically been overlooked and they are important advocates for the peace movement.”

Pearl Rotary and Portland Rotaract staged their first program, Peace through Education, in February 2012. For the second event, Rotaract has taken the lead.

Past PPRC President Lou Radja serves as Pearl Rotary’s liaison to the PSU Rotaract Club. Observed Radja: “Women hold up ‘half the sky’ and we are thrilled that the spotlight this year will be on our mothers, sisters and daughters for their incredible contribution towards peace! Let’s make this symposium the most impact full yet!”

Sessions at the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They are open to the public at a cost of $35 per person, $15 for students. Registration is available online at www.portlandrotaract.org.

A Ben & Jerry’s ice cream social will follow, sponsored by S.D. Deacon (a contractor represented in Pearl Rotary by Pat Mahoney).

Pearl Rotarians experienced the internationality of Rotary Jan. 7 when Jordan Weisman shared pictures from Nepal of the project we initiated to install solar energy at a remote hospital in the mountains of Nepal.

Bayalpata Hospital in western Nepal serves a population of 250,000, in the past with a power supply that lasted just four hours. PRRC through Jordan’s international service committee has successfully completed a $60,000 project–with significant assistance from twoDistrict 5100 Rotary Clubs (Seaside, Portland), businesses connected to solar energy, District 5100 and a major Rotary Foundation matching grant.

Our club’s total contribution through the Pearl Fund: $4,350.

(In addition to Rotary-generated dollars, four business entities contributed a total of $4,500. Joining Jordan’s Sunbridge Solar were Synchro Solar, Portland; Glode Med, Evanston, Ill.; and Organolawn, Boulder, Colo.)

“The solar installation will enable the hospital to do a whole lot more work,” Jordan (speaking, in picture) said. “I get excited when I look at these photos.”

He shared images of the actual installation of 36 panels–which will create up to two days of power supply. Among the areas expanded will be a women’s health center, ultrasound services and a new surgical theater.

“The hospital serves small villages throughout the hills,” Jordan added. “People can walk for days to visit.

“This area gets 300 days of sun, at a high elevation. Solar works ideally.”

Jordan plans a mid-February visit–which will require plane rides and a 15-hour trip “over bumpy roads.” And what will he see first-hand and then share with Pearl Rotarians? Perhaps President Dave Haack said it best (after Jordan spoke):

“We definitely will change lives and save lives.”

A rural hospital in Western Nepal may see its electricity availability expanded significantly through a solar energy project begun by Portland Pearl Rotary.

A $60,200 project has been approved by both the Pearl Rotary Club board and District 5100. To proceed, The Rotary Foundation is reviewing the application and a request for $20,500 from the international non-profit arm of Rotarians.

“The grant will pay for a 9KW solar array (48 panels) and large battery bank to provide reliable back-up power for a growing hospital in remote Western Nepal,” reports Rotarian Jordan Weisman of Future City Solar (pictured speaking to Pearl Rotary). As PRRC’s international service director, Weisman–himself a solar power entrepreneur–conceived the project and has led its promotion.

Pearl Rotary’s partner in Nepal is the Dhulikhel Rotary Club in Kathmandu; significant support here has come from Portland Rotary (downtown) and Seaside Rotary. Pearl’s contribution of $5,000 has been buffeted by local businesses, including Weisman’s Future City Solar.

The Bayalpata Hospital is located 15 hours by rugged roads from the nearest airport. Serving an area with 260,000 people, the hospital sees 30,000 patients a year. The facility is being expanded with a surgical theater, a microbiology and ultrasound equipment, but faces this delimma: only 4-6 hours of hydro-powered electricity are available daily.

Two years ago, a small array of solar power was installed in a pilot project to serve the administrative needs.

On April 24, Weisman updated Rotarians on the progress to date. He also showed a video and greeting from Mark Arnoldy, director of Nyaya Health, the non-profit that operates the hospital (which is staffed by Nepali health care workers).

“It is an incredible feeling to know that we can do real good works around the world through the power of the Rotary community,” Weisman wrote after the District 5100 leaders gave preliminary approval to the Nepal project. “I’m excited about getting my first project as committee chair off the ground. If members have a passion for a project internationally, please come and join our committee.”

Weisman has also said he will organize a Rotary trip to Nepal when the solar-powered panels are installed and are supplying the 25-bed hospital with a more reliable power supply.

If teen-age girls from a barrio of suburban San Jose, Costa Rica, earn a high school diploma, they are likely to have a better life.

And if their mothers learn cooking skills, their lives, too, will be changed.

Those have been the goals of two successful projects—both with Rotary Foundation funding—that have resulted from the combined effort of the Portland Pearl and Belen Rotary Clubs.

The teaching kitchen came first. Four years ago, a $54,000 project equipped a culinary room at the Suri School, just outside Costa Rica’s capital. The vocational training for women offers an opportunity to learn a skill that could lead to work in the restaurants or hotels of San Jose or as paid domestic help.

“The culinary kitchen gives them an opportunity for better jobs,” said Maria Eugenia Mondragon (“Maru”), past president of the Belen Club.

Her husband, Victor Mata Chacon (also a past president who will return to the Belen helm this July), said the quality of the installation, and the quantity of equipment, bring praise from outside food experts:

“Renowned chefs have come in to teach classes here. They say they don’t have anything like this in their kitchens. They should be very proud of it.”

On a visit to Costa Rica in March, my wife, Nancy, and I toured the school. We were joined by Belen Rotarians for a delicious chicken lasagna lunch prepared by women who study in “our” kitchen. On the wall near the entrance door is a plaque commemorating Rotarians’ contribution.

Club members in the two countries, linked first at a project fair that Central America Rotarians host to seek support, forged a friendship that led to a second effort: a computer lab for the 130 female students (ages 13-18) with a total Rotary investment of $18,500.

Nineteen workstations and two printers will be linked when the room opens this summer. Computers and related equipment have arrived and await installation, after the ordered desks reach Suri.

The visiting Smiths followed the Suri school visit by attending an evening meeting of the Belen club, hosted by Maru and Victor. I am the sixth Rotarian from PPRC to visit. In Spanish, I saluted our international projects, thanked Belen Rotarians for their friendship and hospitality, and invited them to visit Portland and be hosted by Pearl Rotarians.

(During our visit, Belen Rotarians were also told that Pearl Rotary may again join hands with the Costa Ricans: PPRC has committed $500 to the East Portland/Belen matching grant application to equip an emergency room at a clinic near Belen. That application is now before the Rotary Foundation in Evanston, Ill.)

Long after our return to Oregon (our stay in San Jose also included visits with two youth exchange students to my former club in Minnesota), I reflected. My international experiences with Rotary Clubs in the past have come through making up meetings or expanding connections through youth exchange. On trips, I have observed Rotarians’ service projects from Northern Ireland to South Africa.

But this was a first–actually witnessing first-hand the results of matching grants initiated by my own Rotary Cub (in this case, Portland Pearl). After acquaintanceship with Belen Rotarians, Pearl Rotarians committed both money from its non-profit Pearl Fund and time to recruit dollars from District 5100 clubs. Today teen-age girls and women, through education at the kitchen and computer room, have opportunities that might not have existed without Rotary.

They come to Suri School from a community where unemployment, poverty, crime, drugs, teen-age pregnancy and single parenting could dictate their lives.

But today, mothers will find jobs…and some girls will go to university.

It happened, in the words of the 2011-12 Rotary International theme, because Rotarians “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.”

(Donald Q. Smith is the former editor and publisher of the Monticello, Minn., Times; he lives in Portland, Oregon, where he is a freelance journalist and member of the Portland Pearl Rotary Club. He’s a past president of both the Pearl and Monticello Rotary Clubs.)

This compilation of Rotary stories about domestic and global endeavors should give us all tremendous pride. On Saturday, February 4, 2012, we will hear from those who have ventured forth to share their learning with others.

Whether it is establishing a new school, serving as an ambassadorial scholar in a foreign land, or working for global disease control Rotary creates opportunities to build peace throughout the world.

The information shared at the Rotary/Rotaract Peace Symposium is just a small but impressive sample of what remarkable possibilities the world offers for community service on behalf of peace. The local high school curriculum focused on peace, the Portland mayor’s proclamation, the many affiliated community organizations are beautiful examples of what can be done.

This symposium marks an upwelling of enthusiasm and concern for others around the world which Rotary embraces. Other illustrations like Peace Trees Vietnam, Mercy Corps, the World Affairs Council, the Wholistic Peace institute at Concordia and many other represent an increasingly effective human outreach that helps the world make progress in challenging times. -Roger Meyer, MD

Download a copy of the Peace Symposium schedule and brochure here.

An Update from Taylor Stevenson

Greetings Pearl Rotarians,

I am ringing in the new year Japanese style this year which, for many, involves a trip to a local Buddhist temple and an all-night party in the streets. Tokyo winters are as cold as the summers are hot, and I can now see my breath inside my apartment (the lack of central heat here has been something of an adjustment, particularly for my Thai roommate).

I have already harvested my rather puny balcony vegetables, which got a late start after an extreme (and exciting!) typhoon wiped out the first batch. The first term of classes went well and I am impressed with the diversity of students in the ICU graduate program. Upwards of 15 nationalities are represented in some of my classes, which leads to great debates.

My research papers for last term looked largely at theoretical and practical debates related to social exclusion. To balance academic theory with some hands on experience, I have been getting out and about as much as possible, attending workshops, helping build a straw bale house, visiting local farms and ecology groups, meeting up with Japanese friends, volunteering at a local orphanage, attending Rotary meetings and events, singing karaoke and learning a bit of Japanese from a sweet little retired man who has adopted me as his student and, perhaps, his granddaughter.

This term I am taking a range of classes, and am particularly interested in learning more about non-hierarchical education systems and how to apply them to development models. Also on my mind is this summer’s fast approaching field experience opportunity, for which I am tasked to find someplace in the world to intern (tough life, eh?).

I am currently looking for internships in Bhutan, as I aim to research Zero Waste strategies and the human resources engaged to implement such strategies. I am also helping ICU faculty members organize a large event to facilitate dialogue between artists and policy-makers who are dedicated to peace and reconciliation. The event is part of an ongoing project of the US-based Aspen Foundation, and ICU will have the honor of hosting in October, 2012.

I am enjoying Tokyo and am starting to feel at home here. Living so far from Portland also reminds me of the luxuries of the Pacific NW. Portland and Tokyo differ in many ways. I am particularly missing the vibrant arts scene, Forest Park, friendly neighborhood cats, Mexican food and crunchy peanut butter! On the other hand, Tokyo has great food, kind people, is amazingly safe and exhibits some of the best fashion and most unbelievable hair dos on earth. I look forward to seeing you all in Portland this June, while I participate in the upcoming peace conference that some of you are helping to organize.

Taylor

Peace through Education is the theme of the Pearl Rotary Club-Portland Rotaract Symposium planned for Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Hall. The event features many examples of how Oregon leadership has contributed to peace and education in schools around the world.

This gathering of interested professionals and students was inspired by the work of dedicated Portland leaders whose work continues to help prepare students for a peaceful, productive life. Also included are stories from the field of community foundations, microcredit, peace actions and global action illustrated by 21 speakers and two panels. The luncheon keynote speaker is Julie Mancini, director of Mercy Corps Action Center local and global involvement.

Portland Pearl Rotary President Lou Radja, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will open the conference at 9 a.m., speaking on “The Importance of Schools Today Internationally.”

Surrounding the meeting will be resource tables from the World Affairs Council, Rotaract, Rotary Foundation and Mercy Corps as well as other inspiring groups.

The symposium is open to the public. Student admission is $10 and all others $25, which includes the luncheon, the symposium and the conference syllabus containing resources and speaker summaries.

Advance registration may be mailed to Peace Education Symposium, 1220 N.E. 17th Avenue, Suite 11E, Portland, OR 97232. Make checks payable to Pearl Rotary Peace Symposium. Online registration will open the first week of January.

The conference also has the support of the City of Portland; Mayor Sam Adams in scheduled to unveil a proclamation Wednesday morning (Nov. 2) at city hall.

Hello Rotary friends,

Below is a link to an article that was written about me for a local (Tokyo-based) news website, in French. You will notice that Portland Pearl Rotary and Ebisu Rotary clubs are both mentioned. Enjoy!

http://tokyoincognito.info/2011/10/03/livedebris-education-douce-au-recyclage-par-l’art/

Taylor (Stevenson)

—-

Here is the translation from French to English:

Live debris, sweet recycling education through art

Taylor Stevenson, 30, is originally from Oregon, in the western United States.Ultra-militant pacifist functional for recycling waste, all its projects for recycling through art. With control of more than four languages under his belt, Taylor saw the sale of his works for 4 years, without seeking to make a business successful. She is currently conducting a master at the International Christian University in Tokyo, where she spent two years. It is clear that Taylor is an international artist as they are appreciated: open for discussion, she does not hesitate to supply any subject, it may be too controversial. During his travels in Brazil and Lebanon, she had the opportunity to become a little local celebrity, and does not lose its less pleasant nature.

Taylor draws his main influences of his parents, owners of a sports equipment shop in Portland. Dynamics, ecological and artists in their own way, they have raised their daughter to manual activities “2 in 1″, by combining such an afternoon of dumpster diving at a meeting couture. Thanks to this, and a passion for fashion and creation, Taylor imagines the best ways to use recyclable waste: some trash bags can become fused a handbag and two pieces of metal are quickly transformed into stylish earrings ‘ears. Here in Tokyo, she is having a field day by collecting umbrellas disposable found abandoned around and offer many artistic possibilities.

But her crafts are not a priority for the artist: the heart of his project lies in the international recycling awareness casuistry intelligent non-organic waste. She strongly believes that the policy of mass persuasion is as effective as face to face discussion, and expects to play a role in weighing the two bias. His position as “Rotary World Peace Fellow” made her an ambassador of the United States, and the Portland Pearl Rotary Club of which it is attached.Thanks to various international activities of Rotary, it is also in contact with the club that welcomes Ebisu members expatriates.

His projects are numerous. She has a strong intention to take the opportunity of the Olympics and the 2016 World Cup football in Brazil to return and continue its work with passion. Following his master, she thinks some time living from the Boutan or in a French-speaking countries to take advantage of its strengths and language to promote its projects to new horizons. Find the activities of Taylor on his official website.