The Peace Corps

Thanks for the ‘heads up’ from Dale Gilles (Liberia 1964-67)   Paul Theroux: ‘Writing is a blood sport. One does have differences with people’ by Rachel Cooke The Guardian 3 October 2022     The prolific novelist and travel writer is 81 but shows no signs of slowing down. He talks about adventure, criticism .  . .  and that memoir by his ex-wife.   In an ideal world — by which I mean one that lives up to my most energetic fantasies – Paul Theroux and I would be meeting in some far flung and exotic place: on an empty platform in a distant railway station, or under a date palm in a dried-up desert oasis. Both of us would have dust on our boots. One of us would be wearing a bad hat, or even a good one. Our conversation, which would unfold like an old map, would come with a . . .

  The Razor’s Edge: Embezzlement, Corruption and Development in Ethiopia: A Novel Robert  Gurevich (Thailand 1963–1965) Peace Corps Writers June 2022 $18.98 (paperback), $6.98 (Kindle) Reviewed by John Chromy (India 1963–65; PC CD/Eastern Caribbean 1977–79; Assoc Dir-PC/Washington 1979–1981) • The author, a veteran of numerous stints in countries around the world managing and overseeing a variety of development projects, takes us on a wild ride through one year as an NGO Project Director of a school and education upgrading program in three provinces of Ethiopia.   The setting The setting is in a country that has recently overthrown a 15-year, communist-inspired, military dictatorship, and hopes are high that the country can quickly move forward to rebuild the school system, address the poverty in the rural areas and prosper under the new found democracy. It seemed the wind was blowing in a very good direction indeed, and the U. S Government, through USAID . . .

Thanks for the ‘heads up’ suggestions from Steve Kaffen (Russia 1994-96)   by John Coyne (Ethiopia 1962-64) I was doing my daily browsing in my home town library and on the library’s giveaway shelf was a perfect copy of Papa: Hemingway in Key West 1928-1940 by James McLendon. Tucked inside this Popular Library paperback (which, by the way, sold for 95 cents when it was published in 1972) was an article on Hemingway from the April 12, 1999 Newsweek magazine. The article was about the publication of True at First Light, the last writings of Papa, edited by his son Patrick. I also picked up off the shelf The Sportswriter, a novel by the Pen/Faulkner winning writer Richard Ford. Beside it was a collection of short stories, The Next New World, by one of my favorite Peace Corps writers, Bob Shacochis, Eastern Caribbean 1975-76. None of them was stamped as a library book; they had all been . . .

  WASHINGTON – Peace Corps Chief Executive Officer Carol Spahn announced that over the next year the agency will implement a climate initiative to support over two million hours of volunteer and staff service in approximately 50 countries around the world. Speaking via video at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City, CEO Spahn described how approximately 1,000 Peace Corps volunteers will work with host country partners to identify and implement strategies that contribute to climate priorities and national plans. “Climate change disproportionally impacts the Global South, including many countries in which Peace Corps Volunteers serve,” said CEO Spahn. “The world is at an inflection point when it comes to the climate emergency; it is now or never, and we are choosing now.” Volunteers and their host communities will work together to promote climate-smart agriculture practices, develop community tree nurseries, and increase climate literacy through environmental education. Additionally, the Peace Corps . . .

Marian Haley Beil (Ethiopia 1962-64) started the first newsletter for the growing group of returning volunteers. Along with John Coyne she started a blog https://peacecorpsworldwide.org/category/pc-writers/and worked to get the stories of the PCVs coming out of Ethiopia published. Finally, she established the Peace Corps Writers Imprint, encouraging all of us to write those stories down. https://peacecorpsworldwide.org/books/books-published-by-pc-writers/publish-with-pc-writers-imprint/ There are few who can match her enthusiasm for her work with RPCV writers. There are many who owe her for her dedication for creating opportunities such as EERPCV in order to bring so many of us together. This video is an opportunity to learn more about our Peace Corps history from one who helped create it. Cinda Mosca (Ethiopia 1967-69) President of Ethiopia & Eritrea Returned Peace Corps Volunteers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Z8L7qDNOQ Attachments area Preview YouTube video Marian H Beil, Ethiopia 1962-1964 Marian H Beil, Ethiopia 1962-1964  

  Leeatt Rothschild writes: “A few years ago, I discovered a way to embed the act of doing good into the gifts we give. Packed with Purpose was born out of my desire to create social impact while recognizing the importance of gifting in fostering meaningful relationships. Packed with Purpose gifts enable companies (from Fortune 500 to nonprofit organizations) to create social impact while positively influencing their business across employees, clients, and other key stakeholders. “My experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer — Paraguay 2008-10 — and social impact consultant inspired me to create these gifts that give back.” In Paraguay she launched an income-generating fertilizer business with local farmers, witnessing the profound impact that economic development has on underserved communities.  Before serving in the Peace Corps, she was a Rotary Youth Ambassador in Morelia, Mexico, and then earned her bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. Upon graduation, she joined the . . .

Join Peace Corps at the Kennedy Center on September 24th We invite you to join us at the Global Connections: Stories from the Peace Corps event at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. EST. As part of the Kennedy Center’s 50th anniversary celebrations, this distinctive event will showcase inspirational stories about the transformational connections made in the Peace Corps. Darlene Grant, Senior Advisor to the CEO and RPCV Cambodia, will be the emcee for the event and will also be sharing a story from her service in Cambodia. Scheduled Storytellers Aisha Harris-Parker, Language and Cross Cultural Coordinator, Peace Corps Jamaica Dinesh Karki, Deputy Program Director, Peace Corps Nepal Brianna Maltez, Virtual Service Outreach and Selection Specialist (RPCV/Mozambique) Kelsey McMahon, Virtual Service Participant Support Specialist (RPCV/South Africa) Anisa Rahaman, Office of the Chief Information Officer Herizo Ramanantsialonina, Health Programming and Training Specialist, Peace Corps Madagascar Ella Sokoliuk, Public Health Specialist . . .

 Writing your Peace Corps Story Lee Gutkind who started the first Creative Nonfiction program at the University of Pittsburgh writes simply that “creative nonfiction are “true stories well told.” In some ways, creative nonfiction is like jazz—it’s a rich mix of favors, ideas, and techniques, some of which are newly invented and others as old as writing itself. Creative nonfiction can be an essay, a journal article, a research paper, a memoir, or a poem; it can be personal or not, or it can be all of these. Creative nonfiction is also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nonfiction and is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. Creative nonfiction contrasts with other nonfiction, such as academic or technical writing or journalism, which is also rooted in accurate fact, but is not written to entertain based on writing style or florid prose. . . .

  Here is the link to read the latest Issue of Inside Peace Corps https://elink.clickdimensions.com/m/1/42800499/02-t22252-ade13aeef6b0438297841dc4943063c1/1/1/1 You may also go to peacecorps.gov and on the menu, click on NEWS.   Issue 7 contains information on the following: Chief Executive Officer’s Message  (Chief Executive Officer is Carol Spahn. She has been nominated to be Peace Corps Director.  Her confirmatin hearing in the Senate have not yet been scheduled,) Calling all RPCVs to inspire your networks to apply The Return of Volunteers to Service Overseas. Sexual Assault Advisory Council Summit. Revised Volunteer Core Expectations and Staff Responsibilities and Conduct. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Annual Meeting There are also stories of Volunteer service, events planned and “Peace Corps in the News.”

The House of Representatives has just passed the most sweeping Peace Corps legislation in a generation. Washington, D.C. — National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) strongly applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1456). This bill is crucial for the future of the Peace Corps as a new generation of Volunteers returns to service. If it ultimately becomes law, it will be the first full reauthorization of the Peace Corps since 1999. More than 240,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. The bill’s lead author is Representative John Garamendi (D-CA), the sole Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) in Congress; his co-author is Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), a longtime Peace Corps champion. Their bipartisan leadership in support of the Peace Corps is a powerful testament to the enduring backing of the American people for volunteer service abroad. The strong bipartisan vote today only affirms this backing. NPCA Board of . . .

On Monday 12 September, Malia Obama, 24, was spotted hanging out with rumored boyfriend Dawit Eklund, 33, in New York City — PageSix reports. This comes a month after the pair were spotted together in Los Angeles. While the pair has not yet confirmed the relationship, and spent most of their stroll with their arms firmly crossed in front of them on Monday before grabbing lunch, they were a bit more touchy-feely last month. Eklund is a DJ, producer and co-founder of the Washington, DC-based record label 1432 R, which focuses on experimental electronic music. The music producer is from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. He was born to an Ethiopian mother — who is an entrepreneur — and an American father, who is a retired employee of the US Peace Corps.  

WorldView Magazine Wins OZZIE Award for Best Cover The magazine for the Peace Corps community earns top honors for a special 60th anniversary cover illustrated by artist Tim O’Brien. By NPCA Staff THERE WERE CHEERS for the Peace Corps community Tuesday night at the FOLIO Magazine gala in New York City. WorldView magazine earned top honors for the cover of the “Peace Corps at Sixty” edition, recognizing six decades of service by Peace Corps Volunteers around the world. Artist Tim O’Brien created the portrait of John F. Kennedy for the cover under the art direction of Pamela Fogg. The EDDIE and OZZIE Awards recognize excellence in journalism and design across all sectors of the publishing industry. Hosted by FOLIO Magazine for nearly 30 years, they are one of the broadest and longest-running competitions for editors. The EDDIE Awards recognize achievements in writing and editing, and the OZZIE Awards recognize outstanding work in design. The awards draw hundreds of entries . . .

WASHINGTON – Today, the Peace Corps announced the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Reach the World (RTW), an organization dedicated to leveraging widely available technology to ensure that all Americans have access to positive, personal experiences abroad. The strategic partnership will extend the reach and engagement of returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) in service of the Peace Corps’ Third Goal to promote a better understanding of other nations on the part of Americans. As part of the new collaboration, RPCVs will work together with RTW on two initiatives: The Traveler Program: RPCVs will be matched with American K-12 classrooms and share their experiences serving abroad through media (written stories, pictures, and videos), which are published on Reach the World’s website. Matches typically last six to 12 weeks and will be conducted using RTW’s virtual exchange platform. Meet the World Program: RPCVs will volunteer to visit a . . .

Thanks for the ‘heads up’ from Arthur K. Weinstein (Malawi 1964-67) The Passing of Dr. Lee H. Ellison, Peace Corps Physician Dr. Lee Hayes Ellison, as a Staff Physician, created Malawi’s first country-wide baby clinic project, a groundbreaking Peace Corps initiative in the newly-independent country of Malawi, in southwest Africa.  The goal of the project was to combat childhood diseases, infant mortality and malnutrition. From 1965 to 1967, Dr. Ellison drove countless hours all over the country in a Land Rover, usually on unpaved, washboard dirt roads, pockmarked with potholes, and washed out by floods, supervising the work of the “Malawi XI” Under-Fives’ Baby Clinic Project (1966-1968). Dr. Ellison helped his young Bachelor of Arts degree Volunteers throughout the country to set up clinics in which they administered immunizations for childhood diseases, weighed babies, checked for growth and developmental delays, and conducted health education at rural health centers and villages, . . .