Bruce Pacht was off riding his motorcycle today, so Marilyn Bedell took the minutes.
Upcoming Programs/Speakers
Change in Meeting Times Starting.We will be meeting at 11:55 a.m. on the First and Second Thursdays and we will be meeting at 5:25 p.m. on the Third and Forth Thursdays.
April 15, 5:25 PM: Round 2, Speech Contest begins organized by Assistant Governor (AG) John Hochreiter and our speech chair Phil Rentz. It will be between candidates from Randolph and Lebanon. Hanover will judge the 2nd round. The students will be welcome to bring their parents to the meeting.
April 22 to be determined
April 22, 525 PM: TBD
April 29, Time 4 PM: No Zoom meeting today, instead we will do our RIVERSIDE PARK CLEAN-UP [THINK SPRING]
Bring park clean-up supplies e.g. gloves, rakes, tarps, leaf blowers (these always make the job easier), etc.
May 13 Nancy and Jim Clark, The Zienzele Foundation
May 27 Golf Tournament...See you at Eastman
June 10 Rabbi Melamut from Dartmouth College, specific topic to be confirmed closer to the date.
Lori Gosselin is a pioneer in the field of authentic community building, She believes so strongly in the power of community building that she spent 3 years researching and writing a book about it; Sounding the Drum: Community Building in the Digital Age.
She is the CEO of Kalliergo Consulting, a company she founded in 2019 to fulfil her mission to spread community consciousness around the globe.
At Kalliergo, Lori works with leaders to facilitate the growth of a community culture; one where people are as happy to come to work Monday morning as they are to leave for home Friday afternoon.
Lori received her B.A. from Dalhousie University and her Master’s in Organizational Management from Crandall University. She is also the author of another book –The Happy Place.
Today, Lori shared the following information:
We were reminded that community is more than geographical boundaries. Communities can be large or small. For example: towns, villages, places of worship, place of work, social groups, service groups. Communities are needed as a place of home, survival and protection. Communities have existed from the beginning of mankind.
Currently it can be harder for individuals to feel a strong sense of community, and this has been accentuated with COVID-19. She shared three statistics from a survey of a variety of individuals.
13% reported that they are not know by others.
25% reported that they do not have others to talk to about themselves
50% reported feeling alone or lonely.
She reported that loneliness is as prevalent as cancer and heart disease.
Lori then transitioned into speaking about the 7 pillars of Community Building.
There is a need to work with groups to achieve a sense of commitment to the group.
Groups are the strongest when the inclusive. So, inclusivity is another hallmark of a functioning group.
Being able to be authentic is another trait of strong communities.
Individuals in groups should report that they feel supported.
Leadership in the group is shared. There are no power struggles. Power is decentralized.
Members collaborate.
Finally, there is a strong sense of camaraderie.
Lori asked us to reflect on our own experiences in groups and asked if any of us had been a group where all 7 pillars where present.
Communities can form organically, spontaneously and intentionally.
Cultivating a strong community takes work and has distinct stages. Most group go through stages of chaos and emptiness prior to moving into a strong community.
Community building is a broader experience than team building.
Community building leads to making us “US”.
Community transforms lives. It is a space to grow, to heal, to thrive and to celebrate together. In community, people forge authentic relationships, experience mutual empathy and enjoy meaningful connections.
Community building extends the reach of one person’s actions beyond the boundaries of their city or state and leads to global transformation. The true power to change the world lies in the building of community.
Community Building is Not the Same as team building. Team building is about strategy; Community building is about culture. If you don’t get the culture right, it really doesn’t matter how right you get the strategy. Community building is relationship building; it forges authentic connections among the members of the group.
Good relationships are the foundation of any successful endeavor. Community represents the furthest evolution of group dynamics. Every Community is also a team, but very few teams are Communities. True Community is rare.
To read more about Lori’s work in community building you can consider reading, Sounding the Drum in the Digital Age. From a summary on Amazon:
Sounding the Drum is a work of stories, instructions and philosophical applications of community building and what community means to us and to the world in which we live.
Community transforms lives. It is a space to grow, to heal, to thrive and to celebrate together. In community, people forge authentic relationships, experience mutual empathy and enjoy meaningful connections.
Community building extends the reach of one person’s actions beyond the boundaries of their city or state and leads to global transformation. The true power to change the world lies in the building of community.
Kilton Library Children's Book Donation
The book being donated in honor of Lori Gosselin is The Little Guys, by Vera Brosgol.
In it, the little guys of the forest unite as a community to accomplish everything.
We are the Little Guys. Yes, we are small. But there are a lot of us. Together we are strong, and we can get all we need. The Little Guys might be small, but they aim to be mighty.
As they head off to find breakfast, they can conquer anything through teamwork―cross deep waters, dig through obstacles, and climb the tallest trees. Nothing can stop them!
But as they begin to amass more than they need, the creatures in the forest ponder―what happens when no one can stop the Little Guys?
This slyly funny and rambunctious read-aloud explores how strength in numbers only works when the whole community unites together.
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2019 A 2019 Horn Book Fanfare Best of 2019 Book
Prior to the start of the meeting our conversations included:
Wishing we could all have a piece of Willy Koppenheffer's homemade pizza. His dog, Lucy, was at his feet hoping that the pizza would slip out of his hands.
Jimmy Brock was wearing short sleeves, so the weather in Bermuda was even warmer this week. He is going to physical therapy to work on his hip. He has found time for golf too.
Dan Affeldt shared that 12-15 dear are often in his backyard.
John Yacavone share that his daughter had a bobcat in her backyard.
Bruce Bergeron and John Yacavone were happy to have COVID vaccines in their arms.
We learned that Bruce Pacht was playing hooky so he could ride his motorcycle with his brother.
At approximately 12:05 PM Ron Bedell had Marilyn ring a virtual bell to the meeting started.
Dan Affeldt led us in the 4-Way Test
Jan Mason introduced our speaker Lori Gosselin. See the article above about her talk.
Other Club Business:
See information below about the Spark Quilt Raffle. Consider passing this on to others who might want to win the quilt. The drawing will be in December.
Willy Koppenheffer reported that Saturday, September 4th is available for Brew Fest at Colburn Park. He will now work on getting it formally reserved, and begin thinking about the paper work.
Bruce Bergeron reported that every member will be contacted by the Golf Committee, and they will give us our "marching orders" to help make this a successful fund raiser.
Cindy Jerome is heading up the Raffle Committee for the golf tournament. Items for the raffle can be dropped by at Bruce Bergeron's office above Jake's Coffee shop on Mechanics Street. She is looking for items for a silent auction too. Ticket to sporting events often are "hot" items.
Hank Clark moved and Cindy Jerome seconded that we make an additional donation of $200 to the Rotary Foundation. The motion was approved unanimously by the members at the meeting. This will now be referred to the Charities Board for final approval.
John Yacavone reported that he has a team (Angela Nelson, Tim Guaraldi, Bruce Pacht and himself to sign in at the poker room for the two weeks where we will receive 35% of the proceeds each day for two weeks, excluding Sundays. Last year we received $15,000 from our sponsorship...hoping this will be successful this year too.
Hank Clarke reported that community dinner cooking teams should be allowed back at Listen in July. We will ask to be cooks once a month beginning in July. Hank hopes every member will sign up to help a few time during the next Rotary year.
Bruce Bergeron announced that Marion Steiner was the winner of the Car Wash this Week!
Happy thoughts/concerns – Does anyone have anything they want to share?
Marion Steiner shared that her daughter was accepted to Franklin Pierce University. She will study health science.
Paul Boucher let us know that his grandkid are coming to visit today!
Members at the Meeting
Dan Affeldt
Marilyn Bedell
Ron Bedell
Bruce Bergeron
Paul Boucher
Dean Cashman
Hank Clarke
Karen Clements
Dave Crandall
Jim Damren
Jean Flaherty-Wulpren
Ed Friedman
Joy Gobin
Tim Guaraldi
Cindy Jerome
JoAnn Lemieux
Jane Mason
Bill Secord
Marion Steiner
Paul Tierney
Steve Whitman
John Yacavone
Visiting Rotarian — Jimmy Brock, Hamilton Bermuda
Speaker - Lori Gosslin
Bell rang to end the meeting at 12:56 PM.
“Stay safe, stay distant, and wear masks.”
Announcements and Updates:
Hartford Area Career and Technology Center - Students of the Month
Sponsored by the Upper Valley Rotary Clubs. Published in the Valley News too.
Quilt Raffle for Spark
Consider supporting Sparks 2021 Quilt Raffle
BUY QUILT RAFFLE TICKETS – TICKET PROCEEDS WILL HELP SUPPORT: Spark! Community Center. Located at 59 Hanover Street, #4 in Lebanon, NH.
One (1) ticket for $5 or five (5) tickets for $20. you can purchase tickets online at:
Please use the donate button and include your name and telephone number for the raffle tickets; OR by check made payable to Spark! Community Center, Inc. and mail it to Madeline Boughter, 4 Fairview Avenue, Hanover, NH 03755
The drawing will be held on December 17, 2021. “Scrappy Nine-Patch made with love” quilt (82.5” x 100.5”) donated and machine-pieced by Adele Patch, machine-quilted by Colleen O’Neill
Community Center’s MISSION is to provide a welcoming place where the lives of all people of differing abilities are enriched through a sense of community.
Our VISION is to be a vibrant center that embraces a diverse integrated community where all participants are inspired to realize their fullest personal potential.
Our PURPOSE is to serve as a drop-in community center where individuals with special needs can feel welcome at all times and find social and educational programming that focuses on independence, encouraging participants to lead happy and fulfilling lives within the Upper Valley. Volunteer and mentoring opportunities at Spark! allow members of the entire community to engage with a diverse group of individuals.
Some great reasons to share with your districts and clubs:
All ages event, a great way to connect with your Interact and Rotaract Clubs
Perfect opportunity for your Districts' RI Leads and clubs' prospective members to see a "power of Rotary" event, as well as our ties to the UN and the SDGs.
Amazing speakers, from RI, UN & more, including Tea Leoni, Unicef Ambassador.
A chance for clubs to learn more about international service and get ideas on the impact Foundation grants can have.
A chance to share YOUR club's efforts - Visit www.75yearsofaction.live to nominate your ongoing or future Rotary-led service project (deadline: 3 April 2021) to be featured during the live event. The goal is to offer the global audience opportunities to take action on or after 10 April 2021.
This live-stream event will feature notable service projects and offer “behind-the-scenes" talks with leaders from the United Nations and the Rotary world, as well as personal reflections from Rotary members of all ages- including Interactors and Rotaractors- supporting the Sustainable Development Goals through acts of service.
Also, if your club or district is interested in a multi-district international project, UNHCR Partner & Rotarian Founded Amal Alliance will be having an event on April 9th, partnering with Rotary to kick off fundraising for a project in Uganda's Nakivale Refugee Camp. (There will also be information separate from event on club/district donations for project involvement. Great way for clubs that don't know a lot about international projects to be involved in one!) Details here: https://go.rotary7230gives.org/rotary-amal
Date: Saturday, 10 April 2021 Time: 10:00 - 13:00 U.S. Eastern / 16:00 – 19:00 Central European / 17:00 – 20:00 East Africa Admission Fee: Complimentary Audio Language: English (subtitles in most languages, audio translation TBC) Live-stream Locations:Event Website (no login or app download required) Suitable for ages 12-years+
Rotary District 7850 Virtual District Conference, April 24, 2021
Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 8:45 AM EDT – 11:15 AM EDT
Price: Free · Duration: 2 hr 30 min
We are THRILLED to announce our keynote speaker Sebastian Terry! Terry states,
“I once realised that I was unhappy in life and so drew up a list of 100 Things I wanted to try and achieve- my hope was that I would find purpose. That journey has accidentally grown into a global movement of people all over the world chasing & achieving their dreams and helping others do the same.”
Riverside Park Clean-Up April 29, 2021, 4:00 PM
Bring park clean-up supplies e.g. gloves, rakes, tarps, leaf blowers (these always make the job easier), etc.
Rotary Foundation Gala, Celebrating our Foundation! — May 12, 2021 at 8 PM
Join Rotary International Director, Valarie Wafer, and Rotary Foundation Trustee Dean Rohrs the hosts for a Rotary Foundation 2021 virtual event. The program begins with our special guest, Rotary International President Nominee, Jennifer Jones, at the "Red Carpet" pre-event:
Wednesday 12 May 2021, 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT)
This will be a ~60 minute fast-paced virtual Gala fundraiser for The Rotary Foundation. In addition to speakers from Rotary International, entertainment has been planned and will include:
Canadian Rock LegendAlex Lifeson...
Aleksandar Živojinović (born August 27, 1953) better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush.
From London UK, World Champion "Flair" Bartender Tom Dyer...
Tom Dyer is well known in the world of bartending, as one of the most, if not the most decorated flair bartender of all time. Tom, like many other bartenders, has worked in the bar and hospitality industry for over 18 years ranging from bar back to bar owner, bartender, supervisor, manager, and now school owner
From Colombia South America, Camilo the Magician...
Camilo has been a full-time professional for the last fifteen years. He has showcased his magic all across South America and North America. His world-class magic, unique personality, charming style, and amazing illusions have made him one of the most in-demand magicians in Canada
Pop/Rock performer Barney Bentall...
Barnard Franklin "Barney" Bentall is a Canadian pop/rock singer-songwriter who is most well known for his 1990s-era band, "Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts". Their most successful singles included "Something to Live For", "Life Could Be Worse", "Crime Against Love" and "Come Back to Me".
Purchase tickets starting at US$110 by clicking here
Bedell Golf Classic 2021 at Eastman Golf Links — May 27, 2021
Save the Date & Plan to Volunteer Before or at the Event.
The golf committee up and running. Team leaders have been identified and will be reaching out to you with more detailed information and provide a brochure to be used for recruit golfers, sponsors and raffle prizes. If you want to help, let Ed Friedman, Golf Chair know. Everyone needs to begin recruiting golfers, reach out to find sponsors and raffle prizes. Raffle prizes don't need to be big ticket items, often we can group some smaller items and make it one prize. Once again, tee times will be used instead of a shot gun start. More details will be shared as the committee get rolling.
Boston Lot Service Project — Building Foot Bridges
Save the Date: SATURDAY MORNING MAY 29; START at 9 AM
Outdoor project for May 29, the last Saturday of the month.
No snow! No mud (maybe)!
We need volunteers to built nine log bridges crossing several water runoffs on the Boston Lot trail that circles the pond on the north-west side. Each bridge consists of two or three sleepers supporting two twelve-foot-long boards held down by steel pegs for which holes need to be drilled so the boards won’t split. (Two bridges will be only six feet long.)
The work will start at 9 a.m. and may take about two hours to complete depending on how many teams of two-to-four people we have. The two gates will be unlocked so we can drive all the way to the pond. I’ll assign you to a team, if needed, and to the particular bridge(s) you are going to build.
Equipment needed per team: shovel, pry bar, drill, saw, pounding hammer, gloves, protective goggles and insect spray.
It would be nice if our Rotary Club can sign up eight-to-ten people.
Rotary Invitation From Northern NH Rotary Clubs to Clean Up the Kancamagus, June 4th & Pinkham Notch, July 24th
Will be formally announced at our March 11th Meeting
To: Service Organization Partners
From: Northern New Hampshire Rotary Clubs
Date: February, 2021 Re: Rotary Community Clean-Up New Hampshire Projects
The Rotary Clubs of Bristol, Lincoln-Woodstock, North Conway, Ossipee, Plymouth, and White Mountains invite you to join with us to brighten up our area’s most scenic highways, byways, and trailheads.
The more volunteers we attract, the more impact we will have. We are looking for support from individuals, other service clubs and organizations, chambers of commerce, school groups, churches, municipalities, area businesses, and anyone who would like to join us as we Clean Up New Hampshire.
If you are unable to commit your body to a day of labor, we are happy to discuss other ways you can support our efforts such as in-kind or monetary donations. Our goal is to make these projects sustainable and far reaching for the benefit of residents and visitors alike, thanks to the support of everyone who cares about our communities! Also, working outdoors, COVID-19 safety protocols will be more easily enforced.
Our first undertaking is the Kancamagus Clean-Up Project. The date is Saturday, June 5th, from 9am to 3pm. We will have teams starting at the Kancamagus Highway height of land working their way downhill toward the towns of Lincoln and Conway, picking up trash along the highway in the rest areas, pull offs, and trailheads. We will be organized by teams and given zones within which to work. We will supply all that you need as well as a continental breakfast to get you started and lunch to keep you going. Our goal is to engage up to 150 Kancamagus Clean-Up participants!
Anticipating that our Kancamagus Clean-Up efforts will be successful, we are already planning for a Pinkham Notch Clean-Up Project on July 24, 2021, and at least two more before the snow flies! Please join our Rotary Community Clean-Up project. To participate, contact our Volunteer Coordination Committee Chair: BOB YOUNG YOUNGLAWFIRM@YAHOO.COM Thank you very much for your consideration in joining our efforts. We look forward to working with you as we Clean Up New Hampshire!
Please join our Rotary Community Clean-Up project. To participate, contact our Volunteer Coordination Committee Chair:
BOB YOUNG YOUNGLAWFIRM@YAHOO.COM
Thank you very much for your consideration in joining our efforts. We look forward to working with you as we Clean Up New Hampshire.
Mascoma River Clean-up
Ernst Oidtmann announce that Mascoma River Clean-up will be on September 25 is the date of the biennial Mascoma River Clean-up which will take place in concert with the Connecticut River Clean-up.
Rotaract at Dartmouth
If you want to be partnered with a Dartmouth Rotaract Student, Let Ron Bedell know and he will ask Dick Podolec to work with you to make the connection. Again the objectives for this partnership:
Help students learn more about Rotary; and you will learn more about Rotaract
Provide career advise and potentially mentor the student as they progress through their education at Dartmouth;
Be a resource to them as the learn about the Upper Valley and what our region has to offer; and you may learn more about what is offered at Dartmouth.
Provide an opportunity for your to learn more about youth perspectives.
Permit Rotarians and Rotaractors to work on each others club projects.
Rotary International Media Coverage July - December 2020
Review how Rotary has been covered in the media by clicking here
$15.5 million gift will fund new Rotary Peace Center in Middle East or North Africa
Fran and Otto Walter
Photo courtesy of The Otto and Fran Walter Foundation
The Otto and Fran Walter Foundation has pledged $15.5 million to The Rotary Foundation to start a Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East or North Africa.
The new center will offer a professional development certificate program focused on peacebuilding and development issues in the region. This generous gift from the Walter Foundation, which is based in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USA, will fund the center’s startup costs and operating expenses, as well as an endowment that will provide peace fellowships in perpetuity for up to 40 students to study there each year.
“Rotary has, for a long time, looked at how we can make a tangible contribution to the one area of the world where the element of peace has seemed so elusive,” says Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair K.R. Ravindran. “Now that opportunity has come our way, thanks to the immense generosity of the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation. We will take full advantage to create a center where we can inspire our peace fellows to give flight to their spirit and equip them to be able to support action that will bring about peace and goodwill in a troubled region.”
The Rotary Foundation will select a partner institution to host the Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center in 2024, and the first Rotary Peace Fellows are expected to start studying there in January 2026.
Otto and Fran Walter established their family foundation to promote peace and other charitable causes, and their mission lives on even after their deaths. Otto was born in Germany in 1907 and worked as a lawyer there. When totalitarianism arose in Europe, the Nazi government enacted the Nuremberg laws, which pushed Jewish professionals out of their jobs. Summarily disbarred, Otto worked briefly as a law clerk before emigrating to the United States in 1936. He and his parents settled in New York.
His law degree wasn’t recognized in the U.S., so Otto improved his English and started professional training. He earned a license as a certified public accountant and opened an accounting firm. But he never stopped believing that he could work as a lawyer again. Eventually, he sold his accounting firm and entered law school at New York Law School, graduating in 1954. The next year, he started a law firm which, with the support of his wife, Fran, steadily grew to employ 40 lawyers.
Through his legal work, Otto helped promote peace and improve relations between Germany and the U.S. After the Nuremburg laws were repealed, he became licensed to practice law in what was then East Germany and served as an adviser to the German Ministry of Finance during the negotiations of a 1954 U.S.-German income tax treaty. Otto and Fran focused on their philanthropic foundation later in their lives, becoming personally involved in the grants that they were able to fund. Otto became a member of the Rotary Club of New York City.
After Otto and Fran both died in 2003, Rotarian Frank Helman, a law colleague and friend, became president and director of their Foundation. He and his wife, Martha “Marty” Helman, the current president of the foundation, helped shepherd the $15.5 million gift to The Rotary Foundation. The Helmans are both members of the Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor.
Otto and Fran both died in 2003, and Rotarian Frank Helman, a law colleague and friend, became president and director of the Foundation.
“The Walter Foundation can imagine no better way to remember Otto and Fran and their legacy than through a Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East — a part of the world that has been torn by conflict,” says Marty, who also serves as chair of The Rotary Foundation’s Peace Major Gifts Initiative Committee. “The Walter Foundation is a small family foundation; we needed the partnership with Rotary to create a world-class peace center.”
Since the first Rotary Peace Fellows began their studies in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,400 fellows who now work in more than 115 countries. Many serve as leaders in government, nongovernmental organizations, the military, education, law enforcement, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank.
1-Apr-2021
***********************
Afghans work to stem polio rise amid violence, pandemic
Afghanistan is inoculating millions of children against polio after pandemic lockdowns stalled the effort to eradicate the crippling disease
By RAHIM FAIEZ
April 8, 2021, 2:09 AM
The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan is trying to inoculate millions of children against polio after pandemic lockdowns stalled the effort to eradicate the crippling disease. But the recent killing of three vaccinators points to the dangers facing the campaign as turmoil grows in the country.
The three women were gunned down in two separate attacks on March 30 as they carried out door-to-door vaccinations in the eastern city of Jalalabad.
It was the first time that vaccination workers have been killed in a decade of door-to-door inoculations against the children’s disease in Afghanistan. Such attacks have been more common in neighboring Pakistan, where at least 70 vaccinators and security personnel connected to vaccination campaigns have been killed since 2011.
Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic, and both have seen a disturbing increase in cases in recent years. In Afghanistan, 56 new cases were reported in 2020, the highest number since 2011, when 80 cases were registered.
Adela Mohammadi, a 21-year-old vaccinator worker in Kabul, said her parents didn’t want her to go out to do inoculations on the day after the three women were killed in Jalalabad.
“I went, but with a lot of worry,” she told The Associated Press. “I was thinking what if someone was waiting for us and suddenly started shooting at us.”
“But at the end of the day, I love my job — I serve my people, especially children,” she said. “Such attacks can’t stop us from what we are doing.”
In Pakistan, officials have struggled to overcome deep public suspicion over vaccines particularly since the U.S. used a fake vaccination campaign to unearth the hideout of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Hard-line clerics and militants have stoked the fears by depicting polio vaccinations as a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children.
In Afghanistan, some have also been suspicious of vaccinations, but that rarely if ever translated into violence. The new killings appear to reflect the disturbing rise in chaos in the past year, when the country has seen increasing targeted killings, sometimes of professionals or civil society figures, sometimes just seemingly at random.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for some of the violence. But the perpetrators of many attacks remain unknown, including the killings of the vaccination workers.
The violence adds a new worry as Afghanistan struggles to stamp out a disease that has largely been eliminated around the world. In children, polio can cause partial paralysis. Since 2010, the country has been carrying out regular inoculation campaigns in which workers go door to door, giving the vaccine to children. Most of the workers are women, since they can get better access to mothers and children.
Last year, authorities had to call off four planned inoculation rounds because of lockdowns against the coronavirus pandemic, though they did manage to conduct two rounds.
Authorities say nearly 10 million children are now in need of vaccination against polio. Of those, authorities are unable to reach some 3 million children living in areas under the control of Taliban insurgents. One round of inoculations was carried out earlier this year, and a second was launched March 29 — and continued despite the killings the next day. During the four-day second round, more than 6 million children were vaccinated, according to Health Ministry spokesman Ghulam Dastagir Nazari.
In Afghanistan’s deeply conservative society, traumatized by decades of war, some are suspicious, viewing inoculations as a Western trick.
Mohammadi has been participating in door-to-door campaigns the past three years. She works in somewhat better educated parts of the capital, and most families she approaches allow their children to be given a dose. Public worries over the coronavirus and eagerness for treatment have made some more open to polio vaccinations, she said.
Still, she regularly faces sometimes angry resistance from some families who claim vaccines are forbidden by religion or harm children. “There are families who don’t even open their gates for us, they just shout, if we don’t leave, they will come out and beat us,” she said.
The continued impact of polio can be seen at the International Committee of the Red Cross’ Orthopedic Program in Afghanistan. It mainly provides artificial legs to the many wounded in war or by roadside bombs or mines. But it also offers services to anyone with mobility issues — including people affected by polio.
In 2020, nearly 5,000 polio patients received treatment at the program, including physiotherapy, medical equipment and orthopedic devices.
Maiwa Gul, 35, a polio patient from eastern Khost province, was at the center on a recent day getting repairs to the leg prostheses that he needs to walk. He urged that all children be vaccinated. “Otherwise, they will eventually be in my position, needing someone to help them," he said.
Merjan Rasekh, head of public awareness at the Health Ministry’s Polio Eradication Program, said the killing of the three vaccinators was “painful.”
“If this situation continues, it would definitely have a negative impact on the morale of our health workers,” he said.
But the young women at the forefront of the vaccination drive said it must continue.
“If we are afraid and don’t go out to vaccinate, our children and all of us will face problems,” said 22-year-old Shabana Maani.
**************************
Rotary International Virtual Convention
Rotary Opens Opportunities
Mark your calendars for an exciting opportunity to connect with Rotary members worldwide at the 2021 Virtual Convention: Rotary Opens Opportunities, 12-16 June. Registration will open in mid-April at a special rate of $49. After 21 days, you will pay $65 to register.
You can also join us early at a preconvention for intercountry committees, Rotaract, and Rotary Youth Exchange officers, 10-11 June. Each preconvention costs an additional $20.
The 2021 Virtual Rotary Convention and preconvention events are open to all Rotary members and participants. Both the convention and preconvention fees include access to the virtual House of Friendship.
Don’t forget to visit the convention event page on Facebook to connect with others and stay up-to-date on event news and program highlights!
.jpg){kind=small}
