John F. Kennedy and his brother in law, Sargent Shriver, get credit for birthing the Peace Corps in the early 1960s. They had three aims:

1. skills transfer from the volunteers to the host country;
2. intercultural exchange (both directions) between the Americans and the citizens of the host country; and
3. upon ending the term of service, knowledge transfer from the volunteers to their fellow Americans back home.

Not everyone who signs up to volunteer is invited to join. At the time I was signing up, I think only about one in seven applicants was admitted. And then only about half of the people I joined with lasted the full two years. So it’s definitely not for everyone, though most of the volunteers I know shared a sincere desire to level the global playing field, narrow the gap between rich and poor, and do their bit.

In the end, though, most of us say we got far more out of the experience than we put in. It’s life changing. . .one of those formative experiences.

1. In the past I met some former Peace Corps volunteers and all of them were great people. I don´t think it was a coincidence. I think there are some people who are made for this. They´re brave, smart, compassionate and, most importantly, they understand they´re part of a global village. Like you.

2. I think it´s amazing what you do regarding the “dishonor” killings. I think you´re changing other women´s lives for the better, and that is remarkable.

Wish you all the best!

Luciana

Sumathi

My intended audience for the book was Jordanians. I didn’t go into this even remotely thinking about writing a book about it. But so many people in Jordan asked for it. They didn’t want me to leave the country without leaving a record of what I’d done. So I documented it, but not in a way that would be entirely clear to Westerners (e.g., I didn’t delve much into the origins and the history of these crimes or their most common triggers because most Jordanians don’t need that explained to them. . .they already know). Jordanians did buy the book, but so did a lot of expats, diplomats, Arabic language students, and people passing through.

When I got home, I kept getting requests for the book. I was trying to handle them myself, but it became too much, so I made the book available on Amazon. But that was never my plan. . .just an organic result of the process.

I guess you could say that I’m an accidental writer.

As for the answer to why. . .not to sound all righteous and pure or anything, but once I learned of the issue and the need for someone with my skills to look at the social marketing campaign aspects of it, I felt a moral imperative. People are dying. It’s no joke. I just did what you would probably do if you came upon someone ill on the street. I can’t imagine you passing them by. You would use your medical skills and compassion as a human being to try to help.

Let me be honest. The first thought that comes to mind when a westerner writes about such issues is, ‘Oh, daim…” Perhaps because one has been a ‘victim’ (hate the word in this context, but will go with it) of stereotyping, there is a tendency to react in this way. Sometimes, the defensiveness is not unwarranted…Pardon my mentioning it here, but what do people mean when they sense danger in what you have done and its probable consequences?

Now regarding the book, from what I read in this interview, I am truly glad you wrote it for a Jordan market. It made me take back the “daim..” It is rare, and you will agree with me to an extent.It is better to talk to the people who one is writing about directly. It has a greater impact and there is a real possibility for change.

Honour killings are despicable anywhere in the world, and they exist in several societies, including India, my country, although our media has smartly avoided using this tag.

Such murderous acts by any name ought to be questioned and exposed.

Best wishes to you…
Farzana