Peace Corps Worldwide – Page 17 – promoting Peace Corps writers since 1989

“Establishing the Peace Corps” by John Coyne (Ethiopia)

May 11 2024

Let me start with a quote from Gerard T. Rice’s book, The Bold Experiment: JFK’s Peace Corps “In 1961 John F. Kennedy took two risky and conflicting initiatives in the Third World. One was to send five hundred additional military advisers into South Vietnam; by 1963 there would be seventeen thousand such advisers. The other was to send five hundred young Americans to teach in the schools and work in the fields of eight developing countries. These were Peace Corps Volunteers. By 1963 there would be seven thousand of them in forty-four countries.” . . . Vietnam scarred the American psyche, leaving memories of pain and defeat, but Kennedy’s other initiative inspired, and continued to inspire hope and understanding among Americans and the rest of the world. In that sense, the Peace Corps was his most affirmative and enduring legacy. A historical framework Gerry Rice, in The Bold Experiment: JFK’s Peace Corps, points . . .

Edward “Ned” Chalker Obituary (Colombia)

May 10 2024

Edward “Ned” Gould Rowland Chalker II, a Washington, DC resident for over 50 years passed away on April 21, 2024. “Ned” was born on September 30,1938 in Chester CT, to E. Gould Chalker and Florence Christiansen who predeceased him. He graduated with a degree in engineering from Trinity College in Connecticut in 1960. In 1961, Ned joined the newly formed Peace Corps and served in the inaugural group of volunteers in Colombia known as the Columbia 1 Compadres. Ned developed life-long friendships from his tour of duty and continued to help the Colombian community he cherished for the rest of his life. He later helped to establish the Peace Corps Park and Museum in Washington, DC. Ned moved to East St. Lous in 1968 to open a Job Corps program at Westinghouse Consultants. In the early 1970s, he moved to Washington, DC to begin work at what later became the . . .

“Writers from the Peace Corps” by John Coyne (Ethiopia)

May 09 2024

John writes — Since 1961, Peace Corps writers have used their volunteer service as source material for their fiction and nonfiction. Approximately 250,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps. Of these volunteers and staff, more than 1,500 have published memoirs, novels, and poetry inspired by their experience. Many former volunteers have gone on to careers as creative writing teachers, journalists, and editors, while others have discovered a variety of jobs outside of publishing where their Peace Corps years have contributed to successful employment. A Peace Corps tour has proven to be a valuable experience — in terms of one’s craft and one’s professional career—for more than one college graduate. The first to write The first book to draw on the Peace Corps experience was written by Arnold Zeitlin (Ghana 1961–63), who had volunteered for the Peace Corps in 1961 after having been an Associated Press reporter. That book, . . .

New Peace Corps Volunteers Touch Down in Belize

May 09 2024

PCVs in the news — May 7, 2024 Today, twenty-three eager Peace Corps trainees arrived in Belize, ready to embark on their 27 months of dedicated service to the people of this nation. They join forces with the pioneering cohort of the Youth Empowered by Sports (YES) Project, which landed eight months ago. The Peace Corps Belize, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Transport, partners closely with counterparts in the National Sports Council across the country. The YES Project aims to empower Belizean youth to lead healthy lives and fulfill their potential. Over the next eleven weeks of intensive pre-service training, these trainees will delve into the Peace Corps’ development approach, YES project objectives, technical skills, health and safety protocols, as well as language and cultural immersion in Kriol or Spanish and Belizean customs. Their goal: to become effective and capable volunteers. The group is slated to officially take their . . .

Review | AUSTRALIA BY BUS by Steve Kaffen (Russia)

May 08 2024

Australia by Bus by Steve Kaffen (Russia 1994-96) Independently published 313 pages April 2024 Kindle Unlimited $4.99 (Kindle) Reviewed by N. Waheed Nasser (Peace Corps Auditor 2002-06 & 2011-16) • • • In Australia by Bus, author Steve Kaffen states at the outset, “Bus travel is an ideal way to visit Australia,” and he proceeds to tell us why and how and to show us Australia: its cities, scenic highlights, and historic and cultural sites including those of the land’s indigenous groups. His events timing is right on: Sydney for New Year’s Eve, Melbourne for the Australian Open, Perth for its Perth Festival. For the author, bus journeys are integral parts of the travel experience as riders “observe the passing scenery, local color and lifestyles and enjoy the photographic opportunities and the camaraderie of fellow passengers and drivers.” On a personal note, I have been to Australia and visited a good number of . . .

“From Virginia Key to the Philippines with the Peace Corps” | Mary Simonne Dodge (Philippines)

May 07 2024

PCVs in the news— After earning her degree from the Rosenstiel School, Mary Simonne Dodge will begin a two-year deployment with the Peace Corps as a coastal resource manager in the Philippines. by Diana Udel d.udel@miami.edu 5-06-2024 • • • Mary Simonne Dodge, originally from Amherst, New Hampshire, will earn her degree from the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. A double major in marine biology and ecology and ecosystem science and policy, Dodge also earned a minor in political science and a certificate in sustainability from the University of Miami. Among her involvements at the University, Dodge served as a research assistant in the Climate Accountability Lab and on the Abess Center Atala Butterfly Project; a membership coordinator for It’s On Us; a peer counselor with the Rosenstiel Peer Counselor Program; a mentor with the Foote Fellow Mentoring Program; a member of the Rho Rho Rho Marine and Atmospheric . . .

“Remembering Ethiopia” John Coyne (Ethiopia)

May 06 2024

John writes — The only Peace Corps official to visit my classroom at the Commercial School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was Sargent Shriver. In November, 1962, he saw my tenth graders among other Volunteer classrooms he was visiting in his swing through East Africa. In his usual manner, he came rushing through the classroom door with his hand outstretched and bursted out, “Hi, I’m Sarge Shriver.” I flippantly replied, “No kidding?” It was uttered more in surprise than rudeness. I was thrilled by Shriver’s visit. It was the first time my students had been quiet since September. To rescue myself and the class, I asked Sarge to tell my students about the Peace Corps in Ethiopia and his trip, and he told us all about seeing the Emperor, and having told His Majesty that there would be another 200 PCVs coming to the Empire the next fall. Our first group . . .

Dr. Justin Bibee (Morocco) to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

May 04 2024

RPCV in the news — Justin Bibee is assistant director of Refugee Resettlement at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island. In this capacity, he oversees Rhode Island’s largest refugee resettlement effort. Leveraging his profound expertise and rich background in refugee assistance, he leads a dedicated team of resettlement case managers, serving as the primary point of contact for refugees arriving in Rhode Island. On May 11 Justin will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Rhode Island College, Bibee is also a Global Fellow (’24) at the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies at Brown University, where he actively engages in collaborative interdisciplinary research addressing the root causes of human rights abuses and seeking viable solutions to the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. His commitment and achievements in the field of refugee resettlement earned him a Providence Business News 40 Under Forty Award in 2022. He collaborated with . . .

Lex Rieffel (India) writes: China’s Population Could Shrink to Half by 2100

May 04 2024

BY LEX RIEFFEL (India 1965-67) & Xueqing Wang Scientific American China’s population of 1.4 billion people is the largest in the world, right? Not anymore. In 2023 India surpassed China as the most populous country. China’s population began shrinking in 2022, and the latest United Nations report indicates that it could slip to 1.3 billion in 2050 and then plummet to only 770 million in 2100. As this news spreads, warnings of a looming crisis are growing louder. Perhaps most concerning of these is that China will not have enough young people to grow the economy or support older adults. But China’s declining populace could be a cause for opportunity rather than a crisis. China could arrive at a stable and sustainable population of around one billion in 2100. At this level, it is possible for the country to remain a global superpower and for its citizens to become even . . .

United States Being Unceremoniously Evicted from Niger

May 03 2024

Meeting in Washington, D.C., Niger Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine informed Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell that all 1,000 U.S. special operations troops and other personnel must vacate the country. By Arthur I. Cyr of Carthage College In the news — By ARTHUR I. CYR Syndicated Columnist • • • This is a major setback, during a time of general instability in that region. Last year, the leader of Gabon, Ali Bongo, was removed in a sudden military coup on Aug. 30. On July 26 of the government in Niger was overthrown. In August 2020, Mali experienced a military takeover. Coups have also taken place in recent years in Burkina Faso, Chad and Guinea. France is most tied to these nations culturally and economically, but the entire international community has stakes in this worrisome trend. Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group has been notably active in trying to establish lucrative contracts in . . .

Published in American Diplomacy by Mark G. Wentling (Honduras, Togo)

May 02 2024

RPCVs in the news — Tough Love and the Diplomacy of Foreign Assistance May 2024 by Mark G. Wentling (Honduras 1967-69) & (Togo 1970-73) • • • Providing aid to low and middle-income countries (LMIC) is at the heart of our relationships with those countries. The concept is that needy countries on this list of 132 LMICs, particularly the 45 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the bottom range of this list, require external aid for their development. However, almost all the countries on the LMIC list are the same as they were over 30 years ago, and they are no closer to graduating into a higher income category. It is highly doubtful if any LMIC will achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030. This raises several fundamental questions about the return on the US government’s investment. What are the cost-benefit and recurrent costs analyses? Do the returns justify the . . .

“Hi, I’m RPCV Bob Vila” (Panama)

May 02 2024

I’ve spent my career helping people upgrade their homes and improve their lives. You probably know me from TV, where for nearly 30 years I hosted a variety of shows—This Old House, Bob Vila’s Home Again, Bob Vila, and Restore America with Bob Vila. Oh, and let’s not forget my cameo appearances on Tim Allen’s sitcom, Home Improvement, where I got to star as myself. That was something else! Before my life in broadcasting, I launched my own residential remodeling and design business. Earlier still, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer, building houses and communities in Panama 1969-70. I learned firsthand about home building from my father, who built our family home by hand. I’ve written more than a dozen books about remodeling, buying your dream home, and visiting historic homes across America. It’s fair to say that buildings, especially homes, are my life’s work. Over the years I’ve supported many . . .

RPCV Couple — Joseph and Cristina Kessler killed in Illinois RV/Train Crash

May 01 2024

John writes — Taylorville (IL) Daily News – Posted Sunday Night by Leroy Kleimola The Christian County IL Coroner has released the names of the couple who died in the RV/Train Crash in rural Christian County. Joseph M and Cristina Kessler of Sarasota Florida were pronounced deceased. Both victims were 73 years of age and Joseph was identified as the driver. Preliminary autopsy results show they died of multiple blunt force injuries. According to the family, they had been on a journey to vicit all 50 states and nearly all US National Parks. The Kesslers were killed in their RV after it was struck by a train late last week between Stonington and Blue Mound. (Open this link ) Cristina Kessler – Author. World Traveler. Photographer. Here is a March 2024 interview I had with Christina about her Peace Corps life and books. Cristina Kessler is an award-winning author of . . .

New books by Peace Corps writers | March — April 2024

May 01 2024

To purchase any of these books from Amazon.com — CLICK on the book cover, the bold book title, or the publishing format you would like — and Peace Corps Worldwide, an Amazon Associate, will receive a small remittance from your purchase that will help support the site and the annual Peace Corps Writers awards. We include a brief description for each of the books listed here in hopes of encouraging readers to order a book and/or to VOLUNTEER TO REVIEW IT. See a book you’d like to review for Peace Corps Worldwide? Send a note to Marian at marian@haleybeil.com, and she will send you a free copy along with a few instructions. P.S. In addition to the books listed below, I have on my shelf a number of other books whose authors would love for you to review. Go to Books Available for Review to see what is on that shelf. PLEASE, PLEASE join in our Third . . .

Review: THE CHINESE DETECTIVE by Joseph Theroux (Samoa)

May 01 2024

The Chinese Detective: Hawaii’s Real Charlie Chan by Joseph Theroux (Samoa, 1975-78 years) Kilauea Publications 228 pages January, 2024 $12.00 (paperback) $5.00 (Kindle) Reviewed by Cynthia Nelson Mosca (Ethiopia 1967-69) • • • On cold blustery Chicago afternoons, I could be found sitting on the sofa in our living room, munching popcorn, and watching old black and white Charlie Chan movies. It never occurred to me that Charlie Chan was based on a real person. But real he was and quite a character too. Earl Derr Biggers authored six Charlie Chan novels which were made into feature films and were the inspiration for sixteen more. His Charlie Chan was modeled after Chang Apana who was a real detective in Honolulu, Hawaii. Lloyd Osbourne, the narrator of story was the stepson of Robert Louis Stevenson. The father and stepson collaborated on three novels. Osbourne went on to fill his life with the . . .