Dear Readers,  Lack of energy in the whole country. But: As done before, we do not want to solve all the problems at once but start small, simple, specific, locally adaptable and multipliable.  A suitable option are small wind turbines with a capacity of up to 5 kW for self-construction. This size allows fulfilling the needs of a remote house or brigade.  The goal of my last visit in Pyongyang was to prepare first steps for this new project. I found partners and experts in the Non-conventional energy development center of Pyongyang that are eager to cooperate and were very open when sharing these ideas.  Therefore we would like to set up a pilot turbine at one of our farms, the cooperative of Samhun (Hangsu County). With this we would like to find out, whether a local production is possible and to what extend and which size is suitable. And what such a wind turbine will cost exactly. A lot of work ahead ... but also a new chance to support the people in North Korea in a very practical way.  I am looking forward to this and am very excited! Please join in. Stefan Burckhardt Project Director North Korea

 

A friendly look encourages the heart; and good news gives health to the bones.” This was the verse for last June on our North Korea calendar, and it reminds us of a recent experience in Pyongyang: Stefan Burckhardt and Daniel Gerster were in Pyongyang from 2–13 June in order to continue negotiations with various government ministries and make plans for 2007-2011. They received their visas quickly – already a positive sign. The talks were helpful and productive, opening up new possibilities.

 

Experts at the Non-Conventional Energy Development Center in Pyongyang planned to measure wind levels in Samhun over an extended period in order to determine the best location for a windmill. Another visit to Pyongyang to discuss research results and next steps is scheduled for sometime in September. It will not be necessary to start from scratch: we can use existing blueprints for small windmills, which have been tested in other rural locations around the world and proven stabile and easy to construct.  Now we are looking for the necessary financial support to begin the project. We need Fr. 150,000 to begin. Will you help us?

 

Agape international has been working in North Korea for 10 Years At that time, North Korea was suffering from catastrophic food shortages brought on by a number of natural and man-made difficulties. It is estimated that up to 2 Million North Koreas died of starvation in the mid-1990s.  Out of the initial humanitarian aid project, a long-term development project focusing on improving goat husbandry as well as fodder production in hilly, rural areas was born. In the course of this project, we had the opportunity to support and consult with collective farms in many locations.  Energy production and supply was a source of difficulty in every location; whether in the area of transportation for materials or produce, for the harvest, for the distribution and sale of products or for running the machinery in the milk processing facilities. Using wind to produce energy would provide a renewable and reliable resource. Feasibility studies for the use of wind energy at certain project locations are currently underway. The windmills would provide energy for individual homes (output: 300 watts). Larger installations producing 3-5 kilowatts would be used in small villages. The windmills are designed to be low maintenance and to allow local, serial production. The goal is to make the windmills available in all locations.  Our mid-term goal is to make the project self-financing and self-multiplying.  As with our other projects, our goal will first be to produce a model, which can then be copied and installed in additional locations. The windmills will be manufactured in local workshops. They should have a simple construction, so that use in rural locations is also possible. We will bring in international experts or bring North Koreans abroad to provide training as necessary. Local financing in the individual collective farms would be achieved through a micro-credit system.

 
 

+++NEWS+++NEWS+++NEWS+++NEWS+++NEWS+++

Two North Korean fodder production experts arrived in Switzerland on 20 March 2007. Their 10-day visit had already been rescheduled many times prior to the arrival date. Challenges arose even before the guests entered the country: customs officers questioned Daniel Gerster personally to determine the authenticity of the invitation from Agape international. Only then were the guests allowed to enter Switzerland. Everyone was very relieved after this initial stress, and there were no other obstacles in sight. Daniel Gerster accompanied the guests during their information-packed visit in Switzerland. The program: Introduction to Swiss Agricultural Practices – Soil Conditions – Pastures – Forests – Fodder Production – Goat Breeds – Goat Breeding – Farm Visits – Mechanized Farming – Pig Farming – Milling – Milk Processing – Rabbits – and much more! A varied and interesting program.
Although the pastures, the main focus of their visit, sometimes disappeared under a covering of fresh snow, the North Koreans still had their horizons broadened. They had a chance to see the world from a completely different perspective. They will certainly take those impressions and the newly acquired knowledge back to their country, where it will be used and further developed. During their entire visit, the two North Koreans were accompanied by a translator from the embassy. This intense time together deepened and strengthened our existing relationship with this embassy official. In contrast to the earlier training programs in Switzerland, this time the North Koreans covered their own travel costs and training fees. We were responsible for keeping the program running smoothly and accompanying the group during their stay in Switzerland. 

In a Swiss mountain pasture or in an alfalfa field in North Korea – Agronomist Daniel Gerster is an expert consultant.

 
 

+++POLITICS+++POLITICS+++POLITICS+++ The official Korean new agency reported in mid-May that the North Korean leadership had announced the appointment of the former ambassador to Russia as the new Foreign Minister. Pak Ui Chun replaced Paek Nam Sun, whose death was reported in January. Pak Ui Chun (74) previously represented his country as ambassador to Algeria, Syria, Lebanon and finally Russia. He returned from Moscow to Pyongyang last year. What impact will he make as Foreign Minister? Will he be able to open new doors for North Korea and to establish good relations with neighboring countries?

+++MEDIA+++MEDIA+++MEDIA+++ The internet radio station Life Channel has recorded a one-hour interview with Daniel Gerster, which was first aired on 5th of May 2007. You can listen for yourself via internet at www.erf.ch/lifechannel. Daniel shares exciting stories about his experiences in North Korea - it is worth your while! (The talk is in Swiss German)

 

“It had been nearly four years since I last left North Korea, but as soon as I boarded the plane I smelled the familiar aromas that brought back so many good memories”: Marie-Anne Bühlmann sat in the airplane, her heart pounding with joy and expectancy at the thought of setting her feet on familiar land once again.
The journey back to her former home together with Daniel Gerster as the group leader and nine other group members was a wonderful experience. She shares:
Four people (five including the chauffeur) met us at the airport and were our constant companions from this time forward. It was a completely new experience for me to be treated as a “regular” visitor. I was suddenly aware of how many freedoms we enjoyed when we lived and worked in North Korea. We could move around the city with almost complete freedom at that time. This time we could not take a step out of the hotel without one of our caretakers coming along.”

The entire trip to a country like North Korea was very impressive to me. I did not know what to expect. I was positively touched by the many interesting encounters and experiences. The experience was not frightening, threatening or oppressive. I was deeply moved to see how people can live isolated from the rest of the world and caught up in a belief system which requires complete obedience to their deceased leader and his son. It is impressive to realize what strength, creativity and closeness such a situation creates.
Observed from the outside, these are people with a unified world view that completely determines their thoughts and acts.” A. Z. 

Towards the end of the week I was confronted with more hatred than I had ever faced in my life before. We visited the war museum in Sincheon. This museum seemed to me to have been built for the sole purpose of stoking the fires of hatred that had been created during the war. I stood completely powerless before this deep-seated, endless hatred…
When we left Pyongyang by train after eight days, I realized that I had grown truly fond of this country and its people.” D. W. 
 
 

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