Peace Corps Worldwide – promoting Peace Corps writers since 1989

Tony Waters Remembers . . . and Returns to Thailand

Dec 04 2022

Tony Waters (Thailand 1980-82) is czar and editor of Ethnography.com. He was a professor at the Sociology department at California State University at Chico since 1996. In 2016 though he suddenly found himself with a new gig at Payap University in northern Thailand where he is on the faculty of the Peace Studies Department. He has also been a guest professor in Germany, and Tanzania. In the past, his main interests have been international development and refugees in Thailand, Tanzania, and California. This reflects a former career in the Peace Corps (Thailand), and refugee camps (Thailand and Tanzania). His books include: Crime and Immigrant Youth (1999), Bureaucratizing the Good Samaritan (2001), The Persistence of Subsistence Agriculture: Life Beneath of the Marketplace (2007), When Killing is a Crime (2007), and Schooling, Bureaucracy, and Childhood: Bureaucratizing the Child (2012). His hobby is trying to learn strange languages – and the mistakes . . .

Remembering RPCV Gary Strieker (Swaziland)

Dec 03 2022

Remembering Gary Strieker who helped establish CNN’s presence in Africa By PAPA LINC December 3, 2022 Gary Strieker (Swaziland 1968-70) had every reason to be a pessimist. People dying of hunger, brutal killings and many other horrific events that he covered as an international reporter unfolded right before his eyes. Yet Strieker never lost his optimistic spirit or his passion to shed light on critically important but often underreported stories on the environment and global health. Strieker — who passed away in July of this year at age 78 — was CNN’s first Nairobi bureau chief, helping the network open its reporting hub in the Kenyan capital in 1985. Colleagues say he covered the entire African continent — sometimes as a one-man band — during the network’s early years when news gathering budgets were lean. Strieker won an Emmy award in 1992 for his role in CNN’s coverage of Somalia’s civil war . . .

Martin Puryear (Sierra Leone) | VESSEL

Dec 02 2022

Martin Puryear, Vessel, 1997-2002 Eastern white pine, mesh, tar Smithsonian American Art Museum One of the most important American sculptors working today, Martin Puryear (Sierra Leone 1965-66) is known for his handmade constructions, primarily in wood. After studying painting at Catholic University in Washington, DC, he traveled extensively — teaching in Sierra Leone with the Peace Corps, studying printmaking in Stockholm from 1966 to 1968, and visiting Japan through a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1982 – experiences that have shaped the artist’s practice. He creates abstract forms that are evocative and familiar, yet elude singular interpretations. Motifs like human heads, ladders, and vessels take on symbolic resonance, and function as meditations on powerful universal concepts such as freedom, shelter, sanctuary, migration, mobility, and equality. In Vessel, a form lies facedown on the ground, the neck and crown rising up in opposite directions, like the bow and stern of a ship. Contained within this openwork structure are a solid wooden . . .

Carol Spahn (Romania) New Peace Corps Director

Dec 01 2022

Just this week, Carol Spahn (Romania 2994-96) had her Senate confirmation hearing to become the next Peace Corps Director. During the hearing, Carol spoke about the importance of the safety and security protocols in place to protect the hundreds of Volunteers currently serving on the ground in 45 countries as well as the agency’s priority to ensure Peace Corps service is an option considered by broader and more diverse communities in America. Carol’s opening statement expressed deep gratitude for her “Peace Corps family — including the staff, Volunteers, host families, and counterparts for the heart and soul with which they carry out our mission everyday.” We at NPCA are thrilled to finally see Carol’s must-deserved nomination move forward toward final confirmation. We have been honored to work with Carol and her strong leadership team over the past year on collaborative efforts to navigate this difficult period of planning for . . .

Answering the Peace Corps Response Call — Yanick Douyon (Liberia, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines)

Dec 01 2022

Answering the call to serve… again and again By Kelsey McMahon (South Africa 2014-16) Nov. 20, 2022 Don’t expect Yanick Douyon – a three-time Peace Corps Response Volunteer and a two-time Virtual Service Participant – to slow down anytime soon. “Every opportunity available, I will be there,” stated the dedicated educator. Her resume clearly reflects that the sentiment. Since becoming a teacher in the ’70s, Yanick has taught in countless countries, including the U.S., Haiti, Senegal, China, Vietnam, and Liberia. Recently, Yanick moved from her home in Florida to teach graduate-level English at a university in Mauritania. Secondary school and adult education remain her areas of expertise, but if Yanick has proven anything, it’s that she’s game to lend a hand wherever she feels she can make a difference. “I just get such a feeling of satisfaction when students are learning and I’m doing something in this world . . .

Ann Cavera (Liberia) — “Speeding Past 80” Podcast

Nov 30 2022

Ann Cavera (Liberia 1966-68) shares stories of faith, hope, love and laughter in the weekly podcast ‘Speeding Past 80’ By Julie Carle BG Independent News The podcast “Speeding Past 80” sounds like something racecar enthusiasts or law enforcement officials might listen to. There are no tires screeching or sirens blaring in this Bowling Green-based podcast; however, racing fans and people who deal with speeding tickets still might listen, learn and enjoy. The podcast features the calm, reassuring, grandmotherly voice of Ann Cavera who shares weekly stories of “faith, hope, love and laughter.” And goodness, does she! Of the 40-plus episodes she has recorded at her kitchen table this year, she has touched on topics that range from “spare change” vs. “loose change” to the power of a banana peel. Regardless of the topic, she infuses the usually four-to eight-minute conversations with warmth and a lesson in humanity. The title . . .

Two Visits to the Daejeon Theater (Korea)

Nov 30 2022

Two Visits to the Daejeon Theater Richard Wiley (Korea 1967-69) In 1968, when I was living in Daejeon, Korea, the movie My Fair Lady had a one-week run in at the Daejeon Theater, and I, being a sometimes-homesick Peace Corps volunteer, went to see it. I had seen My Fair Lady in 1964, when it came out. Like half of the other nineteen-year-old boys in America, I loved Audrey Hepburn, whose matchless face launched a lot more than 1000 ships, I’m sure. Helen of Troy had nothing on Audrey. I also remember wondering, in 1964, how Rex Harrison, debonaire though he was, got away with not singing, but talking his way through all those songs. I mean, he made, “I’ve grown accustomed to the tune, That she whistles night and noon, Her smiles, her frowns, Her ups, her downs…” sound like the musings of a lone old man going up and down by in an elevator. He . . .

New Executive Officer of the Peace Corps: Thomas Peng (Philippines)

Nov 29 2022

Thomas Peng Chief Executive Officer Peace Corps Thomas Peng is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Peace Corps. He brings more than 20 years of public and private sector experience and has led, managed, and supported teams in the technology and non-profit sectors. Most recently, Thomas served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Peace Corps where he oversaw internal operations, human resources, and strategic information, research, and planning. Previously, he served the Peace Corps as Chief Information Officer, where he strengthened operations and promoted a culture of transparency and inclusion. Thomas’ Peace Corps roots extend back to his service as a Volunteer in the Philippines from 2006-2008, where he trained teachers to use technology in the classroom. Throughout his career, Thomas has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by sponsoring employee resource groups and facilitating safe spaces for all employees to have brave conversations. Thomas holds a bachelor’s . . .

Peace Corps Gambia Swears In 22 New Volunteers

Nov 28 2022

By Oumie Mendy Peace Corps – The Gambia has Wednesday sworn in 22 agriculture and health volunteers from America in a ceremony held in the Lower River Region settlement of Massembeh training center. The oath taking followed an 8 weeks pre-service training in languages, cross-culture, medical, safety and security professionals. Kelleah B. Young, Peace Corps Country Director said Peace Corps’ founding mission of promoting world peace and friendship among all counties remains relevant, even after 55 years of service in the Gambia under the global COVID-19 pandemic. “Peace Corps have returned to the Gambia in a big way this year, adding to global total today, over 950 volunteers are back in 41 countries and we are still aiming to return to our pre evacuation number of 7000 volunteers worldwide, even adding a few new counties to the mix. Our strength is to build on individual relationships, one connection and one . . .

NPCA Urges RPCV Community to Take Action and Contact Congress

Nov 27 2022

NPCA is Advocating for YOU! URGENT ACTION ALERT FOR THE PEACE CORPS COMMUNITY With only a few weeks remaining in the current Congress, we need all members and friends of the Peace Corps community to mobilize and rally to make sure key National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) legislative priorities are approved this year. Our top priority is to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (S. 4466; H.R. 1456). As more than 900 volunteers have returned to Peace Corps service, this is the moment to pass this once-in-a-generation legislation. Write to Republican Senators NOW: We need the bipartisan Senate bill (S. 4466) to be passed, and key to that is building further support of Republican Senators. If you are represented by one (or two) Republican Senators, please take this action now, and share it with others from your state. Other Senate Action: If you are represented by Democrats in the Senate, . . .

RPCV Writers Who Have Published 2 Books or More

Nov 27 2022

Here is our new list of RPCV & staff authors we know of who have published two or more books of any type. Currently, the count is 467. If you know of someone who has and their name is not on this list, then please email: jcoyneone@gmail.com. We know we don’t have all such writers who have served over these past 60 years. Thank you.’ Jerome R. Adams (Colombia 1963–65) Tom Adams (Togo 1974-76) Thomas “Taj” Ainlay, Jr. (Malaysia 1973–75) Elizabeth (Letts) Alalou (Morocco 1983–86) Jane Albritton (India 1967-69) Robert Albritton (Ethiopia 1962-65) Usha Alexander (Vanuatu 1996–97) James G. Alinder (Somalia 1964-66) Richard Alleman (Morocco 1968-70) Hayward Allen (Ethiopia 1962-64) Diane Demuth Allensworth (Panama 1964–66) Paul E. Allaire (Ethiopia 1964–66) Allman (Nepal 1966-68) Nancy Amidei (Nigeria 1964–65) Gary Amo (Malawi 1962–64) David C. Anderson (Costa Rica 1964-66) Lauri Anderson (Nigeria 1963-65) Peggy Anderson (Togo 1962-64) James Archambeault (Philippines 1965-67) Ron Arias (Peru . . .

Justin D. Bibee (Morocco) | Human rights advocate and refugee resettlement case manager

Nov 25 2022

North Providence so far only municipality to back Human Rights Day proclamation by Zack Deluca The Valley Breeze zack@valleybreeze.com Nov 22, 2022 • NORTH PROVIDENCE – A local human rights advocate is looking to make history by uniting every Rhode Island municipality with the signing of a Human Rights Day Proclamation by Dec. 10. Justin Bibee [Morocco 2014–16], a human rights advocate and a refugee resettlement case manager for Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, established the Rhode Island Human Rights Project with the goal of having every municipality in the state sign a Human Rights Day proclamation this year. North Providence is so far the only community to sign a Human Rights Day Proclamation, doing so in the spring. Gov. Dan McKee also signed a Human Rights Day proclamation. Bibbee said he is continuing to speak with other cities and towns to have them join the proclamation by next month. . . .

HAUSALAND DIVIDED by William F.S. Miles (Niger)

Nov 25 2022

How have different forms of colonialism shaped societies and their politics? William F. S. Miles (Niger 1977-79) focuses on the Hausa-speaking people of West Africa whose land is still split by an arbitrary boundary established by Great Britain and France at the turn of the century. In 1983 Miles returned as a Fulbright scholar to the region where he had served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Already fluent in the Hausa language, he established residence in carefully selected twin villages on either side of the border separating the Republic of Niger from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Over the next year, and then during subsequent visits, he traveled by horseback between the two places, conducting archival research, collecting oral testimony, and living the ethnographic life. Miles argues that the colonial imprint of the British and the French can still be discerned more than a generation after the conferring of . . .

RPCV Author Lucinda Jackson (Palau)

Nov 25 2022

Author Interview—Lucinda Jackson by Heili Eliason Lucinda Jackson (Palau 2016) is the author of two memoirs: Just a Girl: Growing Up Female and Ambitious, about her struggles to succeed in the male-dominated work world, and Project Escape: Lessons for an Unscripted Life, an exploration of freedom after leaving a structured career. Jackson is a PhD scientist and global corporate executive who features on podcasts and radio and has published articles, book chapters, magazine columns, and patents. She is the founder of LJ Ventures, where she speaks and consults on energy, the environment, and empowering women in the workplace and in our Next Act. Connect with Jackson or find her books at: www.lucindajackson.com. Interview Who or what inspires you to write? I get inspired by having something to say. I feel this burning concept or thought inside me and I just have to get it out! It is this need to express myself, to make sense . . .

32 Magazines That Accept Longer Fiction

Nov 23 2022

32 Magazines That Accept Longer Fiction by S. Kalekar There are many literary magazines that accept stories of up to 5,000 words, or shorter; this list, however, has magazines/outlets that take longer fiction, of up to 6,000 words or more. Many also accept other genres, like nonfiction and poetry. Some of these pay writers. Not all of them are open for submissions now, but many are. They are listed in no particular order. Arcturus Magazine Their website says, “We have no restrictions on the content we publish, except that we’re passionate about publishing new perspectives — new ideas, new voices, new worlds, new challenges, new ways of seeing — a theme that can take an infinite number of shapes, including speculative fiction, flash fiction, experimental poetry, political essays, narrative reportage, and virtually everything else.” Send prose of up to 7,000 words. This is a sister publication of the Chicago Review of Books. Details here. Night Shift Radio: The . . .