Speaker: Dr. Abul Sharah of International Village Clinic
Dr. Abul Sharah founded IVC in October 1999 to transform his dream into reality. Dr. Sharah had been thinking about his life and its meaning for several years. Just to live a comfortable life was not good enough. He wanted to give back, to make a difference.
Abul Sharah grew up a fatherless, impoverished boy from Uttar Pradesh, India's poorest province. By chance, brains and hard work, he got an education and rose to senior engineering and marketing positions at Honeywell and MTS Systems over his 27-year career. By 1996, Dr. Sharah was harboring a growing desire to give something back to the world in appreciation for his good fortune, when chance intervened. While on a business trip to Calcutta, India, Dr. Sharah scheduled a time for a visit to Mother Theresa's Home for Dying Destitutes. By coincidence, he arrived at the hour when the nun received visitors. After learning of his humble Indian roots and success in the United States, Mother Theresa urged Dr. Sharah to pursue a mission of "love and human service."
Dr. Sharah decided to retire from corporate life early and in 1999 returned to the poor villages of his homeland, Uttar Pradesh in northern India, to help establish a medical clinic and nutrition, vaccination and health-education programs. He brought qualified medical personnel to an area where illiteracy and disease are rampant. Dr. Sharah is investing the rest of his life integrating a quiet passion to give kids a brighter future with the planning and analysis skills he learned in industry.
Reminders:
Swallowshipis Thursday, July 9, 5:00-6:30 at Biaggi's
Meals on Wheels is July 6-10 from 11am till noon; pickup meals at Pax Christi
The Vino Classico Committee is now seeking event sponsors. The Vino fundraiser makes most of our community service projects possible throughout the year. Corporate and individual sponsorships are a great way to show support of this great event, and offer publicity and signage in return for your patronage. See Becky Deelstra for details. The Sponsorship form is also under Download Files on the homepage.
Hands-on Science Training for Nari Gunjan by Sandhya Gupta
Introduced by friend Irene Kelly, Sandhya is an annual presenter at our club. Sandhya has a PhD in Physics from Iowa State and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute. Sandhya and her husband gave up successful careers and sold everything to return to India to work for the underserved in India.
Their program “Hands on Science Training for Nari Gunjan” served 700 students and 100 teachers through science camps and science fairs and seminars throughout the region. Science camps involved 51 girls from 6th to 10th grades, 7 facilitators in two 2-week long camps. She shared numerous pictures of science fairs and explained how math and scientific concepts are delivered in an easy to understand and economical way.
With the help of a Rotary grant, they were able to purchase backpacks so they could hike into the mountains and learn about nature.Sandhya shared a picture of Melinda Gates who recently toured Nari Gunjan. Membes were invited to attend the 8th annual fundraising dinner for Nari Gunjan on July 14 at Eagan’s Indian Zayka restaurant.
Announcements
Jan Eian introduced Alex Modeas and Natalie Page, two of our three new interns for 2015-16. Jake Leibold will join them in a few weeks.
See Becky Deelstra to sign your Company up now for a Vino Classico Sponsorship
Meals on Wheels at Pax Christi 7/6 to 7/10
Dan O’Brien reported that we are down to only 6 members who have yet to contribute to Rotary Foundation to complete every Rotarian every year for 2014-2015
Orv Seitsema and Jennifer Loon were recognized for Paul Harris recognition.
Spotlight on Roger Jorgensen
Roger was born in Sheboygan Wisconsin. His father played professional basketball with the Sheboygan Redskins against the likes of George Mikan. Roger attended Auburn for a couple of years before returning to Wisconsin Oshkosh. Roger and his wife have been married for 34 years and have a daughter (6’2”) and two sons (6’10” and 6’9”).
Roger is the Director of Marketing for Alliance Benefit Corporation where he educates businesses on employee benefits. Roger was the President of the Minnesota Health Underwriters in 2008.
Happy Fines
Ken Marshall happy his son has finished his third year of medical school.
Dick Ward’s youngest daughter ran Grandma’s Marathon finishing 124th in her division and beat her personal best by six minutes.
Dan O’Brien thankful for the many donors to Rotary Foundation and wished all of the Fathers a Happy Father’s Day.
Visitors
Visiting Rotarian (club) Jack Haase (LaCrosse, WI) --Jane McGinty's father
Prospective Members and Guests (Sponsor Name): 3rd visit - Bethany Tjornhom (Dick Ward) 1st visit -John Melander (guest/colleague of Matt Crane) and Shirley Cavallaro (guest of Irene Kelly)
Students: Sara Peterson and Grace Bugbee (2014-15 interns) and Alex Modeas and Natalie Page (2015-16 interns)
Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club meets on Tues. mornings from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
at Biaggi's Restaurant, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(unless location change is noted)
Introduced by friend Irene Kelly, Sandhya is an annual presenter at our club. Sandhya has a PhD in Physics from Iowa State and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute. Sandhya and her husband gave up successful careers and sold everything to return to India to work for the underserved in India.
Spotlight on Roger Jorgensen