November 6, 2012 – Peace Corps Worldwide

George Packer (Togo 1982-83) Tells It Like It Is!

Nov 06 2012

George Packer (Togo 1982-83) has a long and fascinating profile piece entitled, “Washington Man” in the October 29 & November 5, 2012 issue of The New Yorker. The profile is on Jeff Connaughton who came to Washington from Alabama in 1994 and was swept up into the political cycle, where, as George writes, he went “from public servant to rich lobbyist.” At the end of his “political career, (and near the end of his article,) Packer writes: “Outside, he [Connaughton] stood at the corner of Nassau and Wall Streets, exhilarated. He had just blown himself up in the heart of American finance. He would never again be a member of the permanent class. Connaughton’s Senate job ended in the middle of the month. He flew to Costa Rica and went on an eight-hour hike. When he returned to his hotel room, he took a long shower, letting the water soak him . . .

Armenia RPCVs Still Making A Difference

Nov 06 2012

[Thanks to Ken Hill (Turkey 1965-67) I heard about a short video done by a group of RPCVs who still are making a difference. They are a perfect example of how RPCVs continue to serve their countries, years after their tours.] Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri (Armenia 2003-05) is the Founder and Executive Director of Friends of Warm Hearth, Inc. It is a special group home for orphans with disabilities in Armenia, set up by Natalie and other RPCV. Natalie wrote me recently how all of this came about. “Near the close of my service,” she said, “I found out that the children with disabilities were going to be sent to a psychiatric institution. I thought I could find another alternative for them — but was unable to do so. I spent the last few months of my service feverishly trying to come up with something. In the end, friends and family (worldwide) . . .

Archive - November 6, 2012