Rotary Club Reaches Out To Afghans

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Gary Bowersox (above) distributes books to Afghan students; (top right) a street scene in Khenji Village; (right) English and Dari language books for the children. Photos from Gary Bowersox.

Gem hunter and active East Honolulu Rotary Club member Gary Bowersox recently returned from a two-week trek through Afghanistan to deliver school supplies and textbooks to rural schools in the impoverished country.

Bowersox raised over $14,000 from more than 100 donors in East Oahu and elsewhere to buy the supplies and pay for the expedition. He said he cut many corners on his own comfort to save money, staying with friends he had made in past trips to the region and using money from his own company, Geo Vision Inc., to cover some expenses like food.

“It felt really good,” said Bowersox after delivering the donations. “These are people that I’ve known for as long as 30 years.”

In all, 69,118 books, pens, pencils, erasers, packets of paper and other supplies were taken to four schools in the villages of Khenj in Panjshir Valley and Jegdalek near Sorobi.

Gary Bowersox (above) distributes books to Afghan students; (top right) a street scene in Khenji Village; (right) English and Dari language books for the children. Photos from Gary Bowersox.

“We bought the goods in Kabul, and that took us about five days to negotiate with the different dealers,” Bowersox recalled.

Why did he do it? “Because they have nothing. It makes me feel good to leave a positive American impression.”

Bowersox has been to the region several times, usually hunting for precious gems for his company. He also has been to Brazil, Burma, India and Kenya. Several books and a documentary highlight his travels and knowledge of hunting and collecting gems. (See his website at http://www.gems-afghan.com.)

Gary Bowersox (above) distributes books to Afghan students; (top right) a street scene in Khenji Village; (right) English and Dari language books for the children. Photos from Gary Bowersox.

There was no gem hunt during this trip, however. “But I did meet up with people that I had known from past trips.” He often would teach the local Afghans about mining and gem exploration.

Because of the success of his first school-supply mission, Bowersox is planning another one for next year, but with a higher goal in mind, “I want to go to eight schools this time,” he declared, with his eye on mid April. And he’ll need twice as much money. “I think we’re up to $4,000 right now,” he said.

For more information or to donate to the cause, call 942-8958 or send checks to the East Honolulu Rotary Foundation at P.O. Box 89646, Honolulu, HI 96830. All donations are tax deductible.