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From: Magdalena Reinsvold (Colorado College) October 10, 2009
Greetings from India!
Since 2002, the government and organizations like Rotary International, WHO, UNICEF, USAID, etc. have organized social mobilization to further educate and bring the community together to fight polio. Since this peak, the number of cases has dropped, but peaked again in 2006 and remains difficult to fully combat. Interesting, officials here now blame developmental reasons for resistance. Families in very rural and slum communities are using vaccine resistance as a tool to try to get the government to provide them with basic infrastructure: roads, safe water, etc. These are also necessities to fully eradicate polio because a large culprit to children's lack of immunity (besides resistance) is a physical inability to take in the vaccine due to diarrhea diseases. Sanitation goes hand and hand with almost all health challenges hear in India.
FROM Kevin Niklaus, Rotary Youth Exchange Student Tuesday, September 08, 2009 9:37 AM
Hey Mr. Rendelman, Well numerous things have happened in the almost 6 weeks that I have been here. I have gotten to know alot of Germans in my town and surounding villages through school and dispite hearing quite a variety of things about Northern Germans I have found them to be relatively friendly. We have had several meetings as our Rotary district 1800 (which is really active) and have gotten to meet all the other exchange students and gotten to be quite a tight group dispite the relatively little time we have spent together (It is odd to think that I now have friends over a good portion of the globe). Some interesting new experiences I have had include going to a professional soccer game (our team lost unfortunately), seeing an Opera, and seeing some of the various cities when the local Rotary clubs host events for the exchange students (which get to by nagivating the trains alone - I have only gotten lost once). Oh and interestingly enough I ran into the roughly German equivalent to Scouts, Fahrtfinders (german name), at a Rotary barbeque and have been doing stuff with them. Well I will have to recount things in greater detail but I wanted to give you a quick update on things.
Kevin Nikolaus
FROM Kevin Niklaus, Rotary Youth Exchange Student August 2, 2009
Dear Rotarians, I arrived in Germany this last Monday and even with my layovers in Detroit and Amsterdam everything went smoothly. My host family the Heitmann's are great people and they have been showing me around Walsrode. My German has already improved a lot since I arrived and today was my first day of school. I managed to bike there and back and only get lost once. All my lessons were a bit confusing but once I can manage with the speed with which everyone talks I will have a great time with my class. Tonight I have my first rotary meeting with my host club and I am looking foward to telling you about that in my next email. Hope everything is going well for the the Colorado Springs club. From, Kevin Niklaus
FROM DAN GORNELL
October 31, 2008
Baku, Azerbaijan
All,
The Rotary dental clinic treated its first patients yesterday. Three children from a nearby physically and mentally challenged orphanage received dental treatment. I have attached photos of the first two children. The dentists are well qualified Azeri dentists - one of whom is volunteering his service.
  This has been a 5-year labor of love. Please forward this to our Rotary club members. I wish to thank them for all their support. Yours in Rotary, Dan in Baku, Azerbaijan
FROM KIM SHILLING
January 18, 2008
Lolowau, Nias Island, Indonesia
I have never worked in a place with this much rain. Even the Portland Oregon component has never seen the amount of rain that we have had. In just the first couple of days we had to have had well over ten inches of rain maybe even that much a day. It is constant and heavy.
Why so much decay?There is a high use of ‘bonbons’, penny candies, some soda pop and gum, a bit more chocolates and plenty of orange colored sugary drinks as well as a daily dose of very sweet tea or perhaps coffee. Some people chew sugar cane. The dental need is tremendous.
Life is both complicated and simple here. Mostly the possessions are few but adequate. Kids still play outside, families still sit outside watching the world go by. Smiles are abundant. So different than my last trip shortly after the tsunami of 2004. The people of Banda Aceh had lost their smiles. There was not a single person that did not lose close family members, their houses and their jobs, everything and more. This trip we are seeing the true spirit of Indonesia, the kindness, generosity, the curiosity of a very loving people. The complications come with trying to get around, finding necessities and the like.
The bone and gum tissue in the mouth was quite soft allowing the rotting teeth to slip out much easier. About the only positive side of malnutrition. It made my job easier because most of the teeth had decayed below the gum-line or even the bone making it quite challenging to get a purchase with which to remove them. I still cannot believe that 800,000 people basically have no dentist. We had two chairs where we could do fillings as well. Most importantly we had to educate groups of patients on diet and basic, very basic, oral hygiene. They were quite attentive. We had enough tooth brushes to give to well over one thousand people. Little girls, perhaps six or seven years old would have chunks of calculus, tarter, on their teeth. We are used to seeing that on adults with very poor hygiene but rarely ever on young kids. I think it is because they have only a soft diet. Jokingly we said they needed chew toys. A young woman could not find a husband if they were missing their front teeth and so many of them needed those out.
The finally tally of this trip was on an unknown number of patients: Extractions: 1118 Restorations: 138 Scaling/Cleanings: 34 The approximate dollar value of these services is: Extractions 1,118 at $120 per tooth, many were much more difficult and would be considered surgical Extractions.......................................................................$138,000 Restorations, again using a low average of 170, most were quite large….$.22,100 Cleanings, and most were deep scaling, using a low fee again of 110…...$ 3,740 and over 500 limited exams at $30, a very low fee…..…...............................$ 1,500
Totaling: $165,340.
To Presidents Elect January 7, 2008
SKI FELLOWSHIP October 24, 2007
Attention Winter Sports Fans: Warren Miller's latest film Playground will be showing four times at the Pikes Peak Center this weekend. In addition to an energizing experience, there are some really exciting goodies...free lift tickets for Copper, Winter Park, and Steamboat. You ought to consider going to the 6:30 showing Friday evening. Some tickets still remain but they are going fast. Warren Hill and I are trying to get some of you enthusiasts to join us for dinner afterwards. Let me know if you'd like to join us. Call me at 473-5362. Jim Caro
Tri-District Conference October 23, 2007
Greetings Again Presidents, AGs, and other District Leadership: I want to remind everyone that the deadline is swiftly approaching to register for the Tri District Projects Fair, October 25-27, in Pueblo, Colorado. As I travel around, I hear there are people who plan on attending and haven’t yet registered. A great weekend has been in the works for quite some time, so JOIN US. This is the best deal around – it is only $95 to attend the event. Thanks, JAN WILLIAMNS District 5470 Governor 2007-2008
GSE Team from India October 19, 2007
Over the years our District has been involved in many projects in Southern India. Those projects have included “hand” wells providing fresh water, school desks for children and eye surgeries to name a few. As you know, the GSE Team (Group Study Exchange) from India is visiting our District this month. Our District hosts a GSE Team every year, but this year’s visit is especially important because of our relationship as Rotarians with the people of India..
The visiting GSE team, consisting of one Rotarian and 4 young professionals, will be in Colorado Springsfor one day only, Thursday, October 25th. We expected them to be in Colorado Springsfor two days and be at our club Friday, October 26th.
Because Rotary International has arranged their return flight for noon on Friday the 26th they will not be able to attend our luncheon.
They (the Indian GSE Team) has requested that those who are interested attend the Thursday luncheon at the Broadmoor Club at noon on Thursday October 25 Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort. The Indian Team will present their program at that Thursday meeting. It is very important to them to show Rotarians the impact of these projects. They have asked that all Rotarians be invited To the luncheon. Because of limited seating only our club has been invited.
We will have a going away party for our friends from India at a Sports Bar Thursday evening and watch the World Series together. This will be a fun time and I hope our club will support this by Joining us. If you have a suggestion for a good location, let us know.
President John Webster, Broadmoor Club, needs a head count by close of business October 19th for Thursday, October 25th , luncheon. If you would like to attend please email him directly.
Thank you. Donna Dell’Olio
ATTENTION SKIERS!
There will be a short stand-up meeting to discuss organizational and planning subjects related to the imminent ski season. This meeting is for skiers who plan to participate with our Club's Ski Fellowship. This meeting will be immediately after this Friday's regular meeting (October 19th) in a corner of the ballroom at the Antlers. Expect it to be short. Topics include proposed trip dates, departure location and time, car pooling, and reimbursement for fuel to drivers. We are also looking for a Co-Chair. As in recent years, the fellowship will be skiing at Copper Mountain. Please call me at 473-5362 if you can not attend or have additional topic suggestions. Jim Caro
GSE TEAM UPDATE: September 21, 2007 Good Morning Rotarians, The 2008 Rotary GSE Team will arrive at the Colorado Springs Airport this Sunday September 23rd at 4:24 p.m. on United flight #5856. This is a long anticipated trip for the team from India and we want to give them a BIG WELCOME. Anyone who can go to the airport on Sunday to say “welcome” to the team from India will be doing a service for our club. (You will only stay at the airport for a few minutes.) Their first stop will be Castle Rock for 3 days and some Rotarians from Castle Rock will be at the airport. It will be memorable to give them a big welcome from our club. We want them to experience the best of Rotary. Thank you, Donna Dell’Olio
Note to New Rotarians: The GSE (Group Study Exchange) is a team of 4-6 young professionals sent to our District by Rotary International to experience life in our District for one month. They will conclude their trip as guests of our club on October 25th and 26th. This year our District has been paired with a District from Southeast India. Our District will send a team back to India in February 2008.
To: JACK DONLEY, KEN SCHINSTINE, et.al. The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs From: Jan Williams Date: Friday, September 21, 2007 12:52:53 +0000 Subject: Rotary District 5470 Important Deadlines and News
September 20, 2007 Message from Gil Vondrasek and Donna Dell'Olio:
Dear Rotarians, We will also round up volunteers to meet our guests at the Colorado Springs Airporton September 23rd. Even though they will go directly to Castle Rock for their first visit, members of our club will show up at the airport with a banner to make them feel welcome after their long
From: Ed Futa, General Secretary, The Rotary Foundation Date: July 25, 2007
My Dear District Governors:
Past President Bhichai Rattakul is currently in Evanston where he is completing all matters currently awaiting his decisions as a result of his resignation as Chairman of The Rotary Foundation, effective 1 August 2007. Past President Bhichai, however, will complete his term as a Trustee to the end of the 2007-08 Rotary year.
Past President Bhichai has further asked me to convey to you his deepest regret over his decision to resign as the chairman of The Rotary Foundation due to his health and that of his wife and to inform you that all travel arrangements and engagements that he has made prior to his resignation as Chairman of The Rotary Foundation after 1 August 2007 have to be cancelled. Our apologies for any inconveniences experienced as a result of this unanticipated change of plans.
TRF Vice Chairman Robert Scott will succeed Past President Bhichai as Chairman as of 1 August for the remainder of the 2007-08 Rotary year. Should you wish to consult with Trustee Scott regarding his travel schedule, please direct your inquiries to Ann Fleming, ann.fleming@rotary.org.
Bob is also in Evanston this week and I am pleased that he and Past President Bhichai will have some time together to focus on transition.
Your patience and cooperation is appreciated as this needed planning takes place. We all want what is best for our Foundation.
Sincerely,
Guatemala 2007, 1st report April 2007
After cancellations due to bad thunderstorms with possible tornados in Dallas followed by delays due to ice storms in Denver and again those pesky thunderstorms in Dallas I finally arrived in Guatemala at about two in the morning. >Ugh. The American airlines agent in Vail found a way to get me to here after my flight to Dallas got cancelled as I was checking in. Or so I thought. After 15 minutes typing this and that, she asked me if I had a visa. I said "I did not need a visa for Guatemala". She said "but you do for Brazil", "but I am not going to Brazil" "isn't Guatemala in Brazil" she had already tagged my bags and sent them on, it turns out she had booked me to GRU (you guessed it, in Brazil) instead of GUA. A mad hustle to catch my bags, another half an hour to find a way to get me to GUA, after much coaching and coaxing from me, she found a fair connection through Mexico City and amazingly both of my bags were awaiting me when I disembarked in Guatemala City. Jurg Egli was a welcome sight, he is the Rotarian that coordinates our volunteer trips to Rio Dulce. He brought me to my hotel at 2am and was there again at 8am to meet me and the exiting dentist for a quick debriefing and breakfast. I am glad that I had some smoked salmon in my hand bag luggage for Jurg.
Normally that first Friday we head to the dental supply store to buy gloves and some other materials that I was unable to procure before leaving the states after which we start our six hour journey to Rio Dulce. At 730 my driver called, he had to go fix the car, so after about 5 hours sleep my Guatemalan adventure started in a typical fashion and we did not make it to the dental supply store as planned.
Every Monday we work in a set clinic at the parish that houses us. My first Monday morning I saw about ten patients, did two root canals, about ten fillings and another ten extractions along with a few dental cleanings. We took in a wopping fifty dollars for all that work which is used to help pay for diesel for the truck that takes us to the little villages the other four work days each week. Also, this is a Rotary sponsored clinic so staffing is not allowed with moneys raised by Rotary so the one to two dollars that each patient pays (no matter how much we do on him in one visit) also goes to cover the two hundred dollars a month that my assistant and my driver (slash sterilization tech slash educator slash village coordinator) get. I need to have an assistant among other reasons because most of the people that we see are q'eqchi Mayas and speak neither English nor Spanish. The afternoon was not quite as busy.
On our trips to the aldeas, little native villages, we had to change our clinic sites twice because the road was unpassable- it has been raining even though it is supposed to be the dry season. The rivers were still navigable but the slimy roads, (we may live in the rocky mountains, I would call this place the slimy mountains when every it rains here), are not negotiable even with four wheel drive. Twice we ended up working in peoples 'houses' with dirt floors, that had been swept clean though. Usually some of the villagers feed us when we work in a village-we would give them a few dollars for it. Twice now I have had soup with either a chicken foot or some duck or just some pieces of vegetable that we are supposed to eat with tortillas, a new challenge for me.
So far the busiest day we have had was in Chapin, a village about three hours from the parish that had not seen a dentist for many years, or perhaps ever. In Chapin as usual I shared my clinic with various four legged creatures, some two legged winged beings and several eight legged types that I would rather not know what they are. I was amused by some of the ugliest looking and some funny looking chickens
It is by far not the busiest day I have ever had where I removed one hundred and eighty-five teeth, still we removed a respectable one hundred and fifteen teeth and did ten fillings. I have to bring all my own supplies so the more patients I see and the more work I do the more it costs me.-I never said that I was smart. I am very grateful for Rotary's help with transportation costs .
That week we had already worked in three other villages, staying overnight in a Finca and factory that produces palm oil from the ground up. It was stifling hot even with the ceiling fan above our quite comfortable beds. Patients would walk with 'umbrellas toduces palm oil from the ground up. That Friday at eight am we stopped off at the bus station about a half an hour away from the parish where thank God a box of gloves was waiting before going to an unscheduled school.
Even though we were not expected, we say about thirty kids and adults, did over fifty fillings and a number, more than I wanted to, of extractions on teeth that were way beyond repair. In schools we charge less than a dollar per patient and if they do not have it, we see them anyhow.
Look forward to hearing from me again, perhaps I shall talk about the amazing sights of Semana Santa, holy week or the week leading up to Easter, in Antigua Guatemala. It makes mardi gras look like a village parade.
Warm regards from muggy, buggy Guatemala
December 22, 2006
John Francis Gallagher
Retired District Judge John Francis Gallagher, husband of ELAYNE GALLAGHER, died today. Judge Gallagher was born on January 28, 1927 in Colorado Springs. He was the son of John and Madeline Connell Gallagher and the grandson of Colorado pioneers, J. Arthur and Mary Adela Connell. He is survived by his wife Elayne Lachtrup Gallagher and his five children, Ellen Warder Gallagher, Arthur Connell Gallagher, Margaretta Desmond Gallagher Archie, Christopher Leslie Goodwin, John Francis Gallagher III, a foster daughter, Tshering Pelden Hartman of Bhutan, and 11 grandchildren. Judge Gallagher is often recognized for his service as the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Through his leadership, the Juvenile court in the Fourth Judicial District was brought from an after-thought to a modern court. He was often mentioned as the father of the modern juvenile court system in this district and was known for his work advocating for children and families.
John is a graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, Yale University and Harvard Law School. After a private practice, he served as District Judge of the Fourth Judicial District of El Paso County for twenty-five years. Upon leaving the bench, Judge Gallagher practiced arbitration and mediation in Colorado Springs with retired Judges Joe Cannon and Donald Campbell. Judge Gallagher was on numerous boards and commissions, serving as President of the El Paso County Bar Association, President of the Juvenile Court Judges Association, President of the Colorado Bar Grievance Committee, President and long-term member of Work Out Limited, Board member of the Sachs Foundation, and President and long-term member of the Saturday Knights hiking group.
Though law was his passion, John was also an avid hiker, skier and world traveler. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ in Colorado Springs on January 5th at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, the Palmer Land Trust, or a child advocacy program. (Published in The Gazette 12/27/2006.)
Azerbaijan Rotary Dental Clinic Newsletter - October 2006
The Rotary dental clinic for refugee and needy children is progressing. I visited the construction site at Masaizir (Between Baku and Sumqayit) and actually saw the dental room. (see below). The new facility is part of an existing Caspian Compassion Project (CCP) eye clinic expansion which will also house a new gynecology section for pregnant women. The gynecology section is being headed up by Rjani D’Mello, an Indian gynecologist, and the current President of the Baku International Rotary Club (BIRC). Doctor Rajani will donate her services at least ½ day per week. She is confident she can persuade other qualified doctors to also donate their services. Dental Room Entire Building
Although the entire facility will not officially open until mid-April, 2007 our new modern dental equipment is scheduled to be installed on Dec 15, 2006. This will allow us time to test and train on the dental equipment and be ready to go on opening day. In fact we can start seeing patients as soon as possible. We have interviewed two Azeri dentists – one man and one woman. Bente Bimberg, our Norwegian BIRC member and dentist, will train these dentists on the new equipment. We are also shopping for a new dental x-ray machine.
Our plans are to replicate the CCP intern program to become self-sustaining. The CCP accepts new doctors right out of medical school, signs them to a 3-year contract and gives them the best ophthalmology training in Azerbaijan. The interns are paid a very low salary but train on the latest equipment and receive specialized training from volunteer American doctors (two are Rotarians). After 3 years they are well qualified, free to leave and start their own private practice, and also encouraged to volunteer at the CCP. The eye patients are charged a small fee to meet payroll and other operating expenses. No one is turned away. Grants are obtained to provide free service to the truly needy and disadvantaged.
The dental intern program will be similar. Hire interns right from dental school, train for 3 years under our resident dentists using modern equipment, and arrange for specialty training from volunteer American dentists. We have about $10,000 we can initially use for operating expenses as we build our cash flow to become self-sustaining. No child will be turned away. Over the next year the dental program will be integrated into the CCP operating model.
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Dan & Barbara Gornell in Baku, Azerbaijan |
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