Clinic Nepal Roadshow- America!

Clinic Nepal Road Show in North America
July 2008!!!
 
Filmmaker Pat McDonnell and I traveled the East Coast of America, cooking Nepali food, showing Films, and telling the story of Clinic Nepal. The goal of the trip was to find volunteers, raise awareness of Clinic Nepal’s history and mission, and promote goodwill. We called our adventure a “Road show” because at each stop we put on a show, with the assistance of local artists and musicians. We drove around 7,000 miles (11,265km) crashing with friends, or sleeping in the car. The only way to see America is by road, among the people!
 
1. Bryson City, North Carolina –N.O.C. Bryson City, North Carolina July 8, 2007
The first stop on the Clinic Nepal Road Show was the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) whitewater rafting company in Bryson City, North Carolina. Thirty five friends gathered at an event organized by Mrs. Sheila Norris on July 8th, 2007. Payson Kennedy, the founder of the Nantahala Outdoor Company, gave a great introduction of Clinic Nepal and told the story of our first meeting in 1987 in Meghauli. Mrs. Sheila Norris, (P) a nurse who volunteered 3 with Clinic Nepal years ago, spoke about her experiences and emphasized the need at Clinic Nepal for more volunteers.

2. N. Conway, New Hampshire-Eastern Slope Inn- July 11, 2007
From North Carolina we headed to New Hampshire and found ourselves at the Eastern Slope Inn. At an event held on July 11th 2007, Miss Jill Downing introduced the story of Clinic Nepal. About 40 friends were brought together by a common interest in our cause. They enjoyed Nepali food, the presentation of photography by Pat McDonnell, and the screening of two independent films inspired by Clinic Nepal. Tashi Dorji, a guitar player from Bhutan, played at the close of the evening. Jill Downing organized the event.

3. Burlington, Vermont- Dinner- July 13
 On July 13th, we stopped in Burlington, Vermont to have dinner with Ms. Keta Shaw and several of her friends. We look forward to returning next year for a formal benefit, as many people in Burlington seem to be cut from the same cloth as us.
 
4. Brooklyn, NY -Barbeque -July 14
Filmmakers Scott and Luci Westfal-Solary graciously opened their homes to the Clinic Nepal, celebrating our cause with a barbeque in their backyard. Twenty-five friends joined us for this wonderful evening. My personal friend, Mr. Terry Mc Guinness, graced us with the story of his own experiences in Nepal. Luci Westfal-Solary organized the event.
 
5. Chicago, IL -Northwestern Medical College, July, 17th 2007
 The longest drive of the trip was from NYC to Chicago. We spoke to a group of 15 medical students in one of the large auditoriums in Northwestern University Stritch School of Medicine in downtown Chicago. The event was organized by Jiyeon Jeon. Our hope is that some of these future doctors will be inspired to pursue work within the field of public health. That night we stayed in a penthouse suite over looking downtown Chicago.
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6. Chicago, IL Catholic Church-. July 19th 2007
Our friend Jane Anichini, with less than a weeks notice, organized a benefit at her church. She introduced Clinic Nepal to 20 friends. We watched the films and discussed the projects. The event was organized by Jane Anichini.

 
7. St. Paul, MN July 20th 2007
Laura Kerr and Pat introduced the clinic to a crowd of students from Macalester College. We presented the films outdoors, projecting them onto the wall of Laura’s house. This night a wonderful reunion occurred; I ran into my old friend from Meghauli, Hemlal Kafle. The next night we spoke at another event at which Hemlal spoke about Nepal to a crowd of 20. Both events were organized by Laura Kerr.
 
8. Lexington, KY July 23rd 2007
We stopped briefly in Lexington, KY on our way to Texas and enjoyed dinner with Walker Terhune. Walker works with a hospital and a high school. At dinner, we discussed how these organizations can donate to Clinic Nepal.
 
9. Austin, Texas July 26th 2007 Creekside Lounge.
In the heart of downtown Austin, we set up shop in the Creekside Lounge. Sturge and Garret Gray assisted us as we spent the day cooking. Fifty people enjoyed the fruits of our labor, joining us for the evening’s events. An introduction by Ms. Megan Ahearn was followed by a screening of the films (which we projected on the wall). We closed off the night with live entertainment provided by several musical guests. Kelly Beard and Garrett helped the event to run smoothly. This evening was organized by Megan Ahearn.
 
10. Decatur, Georgia July 30th 2007
On July 30, 2007, we gave a 1 hour radio interview with WVFS- 89.7 for the upcoming Tallahassee event. Pat and I explained our projects and the current political situation in Nepal. The host was the president of the AFL-CIO of Florida.
 
11. Decatur, Georgia - Our Friend Puskar Shrestha, from Kathmandu joined our tour while we stopped for 2 days at Pat’s house. Will and Sheila Norris came to visit from North Carolina. On our way to Tallahassee, we visited Plains, GA, the home of former US President Jimmy Carter. It was nice to visit his home town, as he visited Meghauli in the 1980’s.
 

12.  Tallahassee, Florida.  –Tallahassee Film Society- August 3rd
This event was co-hosted by the Tallahassee Film Society. Around 60 people came to the presentation in Pat’s hometown. It was our second stop in Tallahassee. Dr. King Beech spoke on his experiences in Nepal as a former Peace Corp. volunteer, and on the importance of continued help to Nepal. The event was organized by Pat’s sister, Bridget McDonnell.
 
13. Atlanta, Georgia August 6th 2007
 A fabulous cookout was organized by Bill and Dawn Bell. We a fresh caught catfish and served them Nepali style with Pacauda. Fifteen friends enjoyed Nepali food and watched films on Clinic Nepal.
 
14. Atlanta, Georgia August 7th 2007
On August 7, we spoke with MedShare International about the shipment of medical supplies that arrived in Nepal in February.

15. Atlanta, Georgia August 8th  2007
On August 8 we spoke with Ms. Shanta Kalyanasundaram, the chair of SHABA, with its Directors. The members of this organization expressed interested in our cause and are willing to support the Clinic Nepal. They watched a presentation on the Clinic Nepal and enjoyed the films, later. They voted to include the Clinic Nepal as one of three charities for which they will raise money and recruit volunteers. This is a significant accomplishment, widening Clinic Nepal’s support to include two organizations in North America.
 
16. Marietta, Georgia August 10th and 11th 2007
On Aug. 10th and 11th 2007 Ms. Dawn Barr gave introduction of Clinic Nepal and Dr. Molly Eaton told the story of our first meeting in 1987 in Meghauli.  About 40 friends came to the presentation interested in Clinic Nepal. They enjoyed Nepali food, slides and films. Ms. Dawn Barr organized the event.
 
17. Atlanta, Georgia Buddhist Centre Aug. 12th 2007
Ms. Rebecca Yang gave an introduction of Clinic Nepal at this event where 20 friends viewed our presentation about the Clinic Nepal. They enjoyed the Films.
 
Pat Mc Donnell and I traveled a total of 4 weeks.  We believe that the Clinic Nepal Road Show inspired visitors and volunteers to explore Nepal. Many of Pat’s friends graciously helped organize our events.

Thanks to all of our new friends for making my visit to North America successful!