The Gem Hunter…and Kids' Literacy in Afghanistan
By admin on Apr 26, 2008 in - IDYRadio Show -, - Wealth-Being -
Last year, I had the very good fortune to be introduced to Gary Bowersox, otherwise known as The Gem Hunter, or, as he’s known in Afghanistan, Mr. Gary.
Gary’s lifelong passion for discovering gems has led him to over 40 countries in the last 37 years, collecting and researching and teaching. He’s travelled to Afghanistan 37 times, each time visiting the mountain hideaways of the miners and their stony cave-mines. He even had to sneak past Russian guards during their country’s military occupancy, creeping by at night as only a part of a 10-day in and 10-day out horseback ride! Wait until you hear how he had to get into the country, and how he had to dress!
Right now he is dedicating time to creating and donating children’s school materials for the mountain kids in Afghanistan. The average literacy rate in Afghanistan is 6%! You can donate by sending a check to the Rotary Club (see end of article for details).
Listen to my interview with the courageous Gary Bowersox, Daring Dreamer, HERE! or click on the I Dare You Radio logo to the left.
Gary’s book, The Gem Hunter, is the story of Gary’s endeavor to discover precious gems and to lead a life filled with loyal friends and extraordinary adventures. He finds it all in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, but not without risking his life.
During the last 37 years, Gary has collected research data and gems from Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma, India, Kenya, Kazakistan, Kyrgistan, Madagascar, Pakistan, and Thailand….
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In 1976, he received an exclusive license from the Ministry of Commerce of Afghanistan to import Lapis-Lazuli into the United States.
In 1996, the Ministry of Mines and Industry in Kabul, Afghanistan appointed Mr. Bowersox consultant to the ministry. However, continued fighting in Afghanistan has hindered many projects.
In 2002, his documentary film titled “The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan” was completed.
This film takes you to the secreted ancient lapis-lazuli and emerald mines, introduces you to the back-woods of the backwoods of the mountain regions, climbs more rocks than you’ll ever want to see and shows you amazing cave deposits of gems you’ll probably never see anywhere else.
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The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan – DVD
This 52 minute TV documentary was filmed in August 2001. It follows The Gem Hunter, Gary Bowersox, from the Peshawar gem market over the high mountain passes of the Hindu Kush, and the steep mountain slopes to the Lapis and the Emerald mines of Afghanistan.
Along the trail, The Gem Hunter meets the ghost of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great on the Silk Road.
The last scene of the film is The Gem Hunter interviewing the legendary Commander Ahmed Shah Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher, twenty-one days before his assassination on September 9, 2001.
His company, GeoVision, Inc., which you’ll find in Honolulu, Hawaii, displays and sells an exquisite collection of over 60,000 gems. Many of the gems have been cut by award-winning cutters, then designed into jewelry by some of America’s top designers.
SCHOOL MATERIALS FOR THE MOUNTAIN KIDS
The first week of June Gary will be meeting to arrange for the delivery of school books and supplies to Khenj Village in Panjshir Valley and Jegdalek Village near Sorobi, Afghanistan.
As of this date they have collected over $6,000 to be distributed equally among four schools. His goal is to have $2,500.00 for each school for a total of $10,000.00. Will you help to meet this goal by sending a check or charging your credit card?
All donations are tax deductible. All donors will receive a written report of the completed project with photos and a document to support their donation and tax deduction by the end of June.
Please send your donations to:
East Honolulu Rotary Foundation
C/o Gary Bowersox, Chairman International Committee
East Honolulu Rotary Club, District 5000
2222 Kalakaua Ave., Suit 1414Honolulu, HI 96815
Click on the ON-AIR player above and join me WEDNESDAYs at 2 pm Eastern for Daring Dreamers Radio
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