Des Moines Chapter

Greater Des Moines Chapter:

President: Paritosh Kasotia

Treasurer: Phyllis Kingsbury

For more information, please contact Paritosh Kasotia at 515-720-7148 or paritosh.kasotia@gmail.com

UNA-Des Moines is currently looking for members who are committed to the mission of the UNA and understand the need of having a multilateral organization such as the United Nations. Folks interested in marketing, fundraising and event planning are especially encouraged to join the UNA-Des Moines. For more information, please contact the President of UNA-Des Moines, Paritosh Kasotia.

MATERNAL HEALTH ESSAY USES UNIQUE ANGLE, WINS CHAPTER PRIZE

Colin Peterson (left) of the Des Moines United Nations Association congratulates the local Chapter winner of the UNA National High School Essay Contest. Maeshal Abid is a Junior at Valley High School, West Des Moines who also takes advanced placement courses at urban Central Academy in Des Moines.

Maeshal Abid believes that the best way to encourage improved healthcare for women and children in underdeveloped nations is to appeal to the better instincts of men, and a little bit of their ego too. While firmly entrenched in American culture, Maeshal also has connections to his parents' native Pakistan and says that women in male-dominated societies need assistance to be able to access healthcare services even where they are available.

Securing the local $100 prize, Maeshal made the important point that it is effective to use to good advantage the natural need of heads of households to appear affluent and benevolent, and in control. He noted that having women and children in a household who are not healthy reflects badly upon the patriarch in male dominated societies... and that may be a good enough foothold for gaining cooperation to keep their wives and children healthy.

Maeshal is a very successful student who is looking towards college at Northwestern University or University of Southern California at Berkeley. He is an active member of the Valley High School Debate Team and regularly travels across the US to do battle with other high school debate teams. His essay went on to compete against other high school essayists from throughout the nation for a $3000 first prize. Unfortunately he did not win at the local level, but he exemplifies great local talent and international interest among the high school population of Polk County. Maeshal's teacher Jean Ellerhoff at Central Academy also congratulated Maeshal and admired his framed certificate.