Portsmouth Rotary Log for Thursday June 1, 2017
By Dick Seery
Photos by Sara Treacy
Guest speaker presentation.
Guess which country… One of the poorest nations also being one of the world’s most endemic tuberculosis (TB) countries…Also, a huge nuclear aggressor. The estimated TB incidence is 345 victims per 100,000 population, due mostly to malnutrition. TB, in fact, has become a way of life for much of North Korea’s population since the 1990s. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014 listed 5,000 deaths. That’s almost five times the rate in neighboring countries.
A large disconnect in this developing country is the lack of telecommunications, internet and cell phone service. To be sure, you surrender your phone passing through customs--it’s returned upon departure. Citizens are brainwashed to respect “bigness.” This is evidenced by gigantic statues and monuments, the military and its machinery and empty sky scrapers. Any disrespect for “rules” or the god-like family dictator is harshly dealt with. Offenders are sentenced to long terms in re-education camps, imprisonment or execution.
The national symbol consists of three figures. One of these holds a hammer, one a sickle and one has a writing brush. They represent an idealized worker, a peasant and a working intellectual.
Being a self-reliant country, the world economic crisis of the mid-90s crushed their economy. Food allotments became common. Individual freedoms like visiting stores and shopping required permission. Hotels and hospitals lacked basic electricity and tap water. Government relief efforts, disguised by fanciful art, singing and dancing, left a basic message. If the government doesn’t provide it, you don’t need it.
Tom Decker introduced our guest speaker, Mark Heydenberg, a director of IMEC (International Medical Equipment Collaboration.) Mark’s responsibilities include assessing medical, agricultural and educational needs in developing countries. Along with hundreds of volunteers and businesses, he secures equipment and supplies, and arranges suitable transportation. For more than 22 years, Mark has traveled to North Korea more than 30 times.
As indicated earlier, tuberculosis infections, a major problem in developing countries, have a high incidence and a growing resistance to Multidrug treatment. The country’s secretive society also complicates addressing the problem.
Tom Keefe founded IMEC in his North Andover, Mass., garage in 1995. The organization serves more than 90 developing countries by helping to transform impoverished communities. The mission is to provide solutions for health care, agriculture and education projects. The Medical Plan is to take “discarded” or retired medical equipment and deliver it anywhere it is needed. Training medical doctors and staff require continued support. Other projects help farmers and teachers become efficient and more productive.
To learn more about IMEC, visit: www.IMECAMERICA.org.
Guests / Host Rotarian
Chris Muns / Stan Cross
Carolyn Eastman / Susan Gold
Jim Clayburgh / Nancy Clayburgh
Matt Randall / Craig Taylor
Visiting Rotarians
David Hadley – Durham Great Bay
Colleen Westcott – Nashua West
Birthdays, Years in Rotary
Cleo Villaflores -3
Cyndy Boyd -4
Linda Browning -15
Jay Gibson -24
Larry Gray -25
New Member Introduction
Matt Randall, Sponsor Craig Taylor
Special Acknowledgements
Mary-Jo Monusky, ED, Arts in Reach, thanked the Club for $2,000 to fund summer camp for underprivileged at-risk teenage girls.
Joe Bove received the Club’s Distinguished Service Award for financial management of the club’s $2.4 million budget.
Paul Harris Fellow
Andy Chace was the surprised honoree/awardee for his efforts chairing the Golf Tournament for three years. He helped raise more than $80,000, while keeping his wife, Katelyn, pregnant... their third child is due shortly.
Raffle Draw
Won by Susan Gold -$72 No Match. The bonus is now at $225!
Respectfully submitted, Dick Seery