Search Results for “Eres Tu” – Page 22

Talking With Danusha Goska (CAR & Nepal)

Oct 18 2022

An interview by John Coyne (Ethiopia 1962–64) Danusha Goska (CAR 1980-81) and (Nepal 1982-84) was born in New Jersey to peasant immigrants from Poland and Slovakia. She has lived and worked in Africa, Asia, Europe, on both coasts, and in the heartland of the US. She holds an MA from the University at California, Berkeley, and a PhD from Indiana University, Bloomington. Her writing has been awarded a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grant, the PAHA Halecki Award, and others. Her book Save Send Delete was inspired by her relationship with a prominent atheist. In 2018 she published God Through Binoculars: A Hitchhiker at a Monastery. Danusha, you did two tours as a PCV. What were your assignments? I was assigned to teach TEFL, English as a foreign language in the CAR and Nepal. What did you bring away from those tours? Were they alike? The most . . .

“In That Time of Our Life” by Jeremiah North (Colombia)

Oct 17 2022

By Jeremiah Norris (Colombia 1963-65) One night into my assignment to La Plata, Huila in 1963, I was reading in the dimness of a 40 watt light bulb a banned copy of La Violencia en Colombia. I was riveted by its 1948 description of the lunch-time assassination of Jorge Gaitan, the liberal leader, at a side-walk restaurant next to the country’s leading newspaper, El Tiempo. As its principal author, Orlando Fals Borda wrote: “it was a lone act which stripped with a single bullet the thin veneer of civility from an entire society”. La Violencia then goes on to detail a country’s descent into anarchy. By nightfall, Bogota was in flames. The country’s elite troops were standing shoulder to shoulder, rank upon rank, on the steps of the Ministry of Justice, firing volley after volley into the maddening crowd. They had long given up on shooting people in . . .

Keeping Up with Bill Owens (Jamaica)

Oct 12 2022

Air Mail “My dad thinks it a good idea to take all the leaves off the tree and rake up the yard. I think he’s crazy.” Banana bikes, top, and a Tupperware party, above, photographed by Bill Owens. “Tupperware is a homemaker’s dream,” said one subject. “I enjoy cooking, dogs, cats, kids, soccer, and living here.” Keeping Up with Bill Owens The chronicler of small-town America is out with a new book, corresponding to the 50th-anniversary exhibition of his seminal work, Suburbia OCTOBER 8, 2022 “I’m always interested in the story behind the story about what America is about,” the photographer Bill Owens has said. “Not the superficial images of America.” Born in San Jose in 1938, Owens was raised on a farm, then joined the Peace Corps, shipping out to Jamaica (1964-65). He took a camera with him and learned how to use it. When Owens returned to Northern California to study visual anthropology, . . .

Former Peace Corps Directors call on Senate to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act

Oct 08 2022

Read this news and link to text of the letter at the NPCA website: https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/articles/former-peace-corps-directors-call-on-senate-to-pass-the-peace-corps-reauthorization-act • “In a bipartisan show of support, ten former Peace Corps Directors who have served under Republican and Democratic administrations alike call on the Senate to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act. The most sweeping Peace Corps legislation in a generation, it would bring important reforms and support for Volunteers as the agency seeks to meet the needs of a changing world.” From the Press Release: Today, 10 former Peace Corps Directors who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), calling on them to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (S. 4466). These bipartisan former Peace Corps Directors specifically asked the Senate to move the legislation, co-authored by Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking . . .

Telling the Story of Princeton Alumni in the Peace Corps

Oct 04 2022

Randolph Hobler (Libya 1968-69) compendium of 440 alumni Peace Corps volunteers resides in the Mudd Library archives While Randolph Hobler (Princeton ’68) was working on his book, 101 Arabian Tales, about the experiences of 101 Peace Corps volunteers who served in Libya, it dawned on him that no such list exists of Princeton alumni. So he began researching. It took three years to complete, and now that list — plus a short Peace Corps film featuring Daniel Ritchie ’64’s service in Kenya — has found a home in the digital archives of the University’s Mudd Library (bit.ly/peace-corps-22). Hobler hopes the Princeton Peace Corps Compendium will be a chance for alumni to learn about the service of their fellow Princetonians. The approximately 250-page resource features 440 Tigers, from the classes of 1936 to 2021, who served in 97 countries. The list includes George Johnson ’59, the first alum to volunteer with the Peace . . .

Paul Theroux (Malawi): “Writing is a blood sport.”

Oct 03 2022

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 . . .

A LEGACY OF AMERICA’S GLOBAL VOLUNTEERISM

Oct 02 2022

International Voluntary Services (1953–2002) by Gary Alex A Legacy Of America’s Global Volunteerism explores the history of international volunteerism through the story of International Voluntary Services, Inc. (IVS), an American 501(c)3 private voluntary organization founded in 1953 to provide volunteers for international relief and development programs. Paul Rodell (Peace Corps/Philippines 1968–71)) and 12 former IVS volunteers and academics, experienced in international volunteerism, tell the history of IVS as an organization, share insights on international service, and analyze lessons for future volunteer programs. Formed in a time of global uncertainty and change, this public/private initiative provided volunteers for 1,419 assignments in 39 countries over its 50-year existence. The foreword by Ambassador Wendy J. Chamberlin, a former IVS volunteer in Laos, reflects the appreciation most alumni have had for their opportunity to serve. Voices of individual volunteers give field-level insights on volunteer program programs and issues. The book is relevant for those . . .

Review — THE RAZOR’S EDGE by Robert Gurevich (Thailand)

Sep 28 2022

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 . . .

Why You Should Write a Memoir by Evelyn LaTorre (Peru)

Sep 27 2022

by Evelyn LaTorre ( Peru 1964-66) Face it. You’re not getting any younger. Once you’re gone, your stories won’t be there the way only you can tell them—unless they’re written down. Do it now. One never knows when one’s faculties might fade. Write a scene about one of the many tales you’ve often given voice to about the time you “did such-and-such and then …” Those memories are important to put on paper or store in your computer while you can still recall them. Look at a few old photos or listen to music you loved to resurrect forgotten feelings and the memories will come flooding back. “So who cares about what I have to say?” you may ask. Maybe your family will. Or maybe they won’t. But do it anyway. Leaving a record of your life while you’re still kickin’ will do more than prove you existed. . . .

A conversation with novelist Mark Jacobs (Paraguay)

Sep 19 2022

Thanks for the “heads up” from Mark D. Walker (Guatemala 1971–73) Nicholas Litchfield interviewed RPCV Mark Jacobs Lowestoft Chronicle, Issue 51 September, 2022 In spite of a lengthy government career requiring extensive travel and prolonged stays overseas, ever since the 1980s, Mark Jacobs has managed to forge a successful dual occupation as a writer of fiction. His enviable body of work includes critically-acclaimed novels and story collections lauded by illustrious authors and editors like Robert Olen Butler and C. Michael Curtis. For decades, his stories have appeared regularly in dozens of commercial and literary magazines, sometimes featured in leading newspapers like The Washington Post and The New York Times. In this exclusive interview with Lowestoft Chronicle, Jacobs discusses his publication history, from significant mentors and literary influences to early writing accomplishments and the media frenzy that accompanied one of his short stories. • Lowestoft Chronicle (LC): Over a span of 40+ years, you’ve had . . .

The Peace Corps Enters Strategic Partnership with Reach for the World

Sep 16 2022

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 . . .

LATEST LIST OF RPCV AMBASSADORS

Sep 15 2022

LATEST LIST OF RPCV AMBASSADORS—8/20/2018 Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, U.S. Ambassador to Malta (2012-16); (PCV Oman 1980-82) Charles C. Adams Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Finland (2015-2017); (PCV Kenya 1968-70) Frank Almaguer,U. S. Ambassador to Honduras (1999 to 2002); (PCV Belize 1967–69) & (PC/CD Honduras 1976-79) Larry E. André, Jr, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia February 2022-present; to Djibouti from 2018 to 2021, and to Mauritania from 2014 to 2017 Michael R. Arietti, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda (2005-2008); (PCV India 1969-71) Charles R. Baquet III, U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Djibouti (1991-93); (PCV Somalia 1965-67) Robert Blackwill, U. S. Ambassador to India (2001-03); (PCV Malawi 1964-66) Donald T. Bliss, U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (Montreal) 2006-09; PCV Micronesia 1966-68 Julia Chang Bloch, U.S. Ambassador to Nepal (1989-1993); (PCV Malaysia 1964-66) Parker Borg, U.S. Ambassador to Mali (1981-1984) & Iceland (1993-1996); (PCV Philippines 1961-63) Richard Boucher, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2009-2013), (PCV . . .

Much Cause for Worry

Sep 02 2022

A Clear-Eyed Look at Africa by Mark G. Wentling Honduras 1967-69, Togo 1970-73 Foreign Service Journal September 2022 • It is time to put sentiment aside and look clearly at Africa through an objective lens, this Senior Foreign Service officer asserts. After working and living in every corner of the continent and visiting its 54 countries over the last 50 years, I cannot help but worry about Africa’s future, and I want to spell out why. I apologize in advance to all my African friends. Though this article may come across as being too negative, I believe we need a dose of realism. It is time to put sentiments aside and look clearly at Africa through an objective lens, without exaggerating its future promise. There is no question that peace, stability and good leadership are essential to the advancement of any country. Today the opposite exists in most African countries, . . .

Review — THE GRIEVER’S GROUP by Richard Wiley (Korea)

Aug 30 2022

THE GRIEVERS’ GROUP by Richard Wiley (Korea 1967-69) Stay Thirsty Press May 2022 383 pages $16.95 (Paperback), $9.99 (Kindle) Reviewed by Kathleen Coskran (Ethiopia 1965-67) • The idea behind The Grievers’ Group is intrinsically interesting — a therapy group of five strangers who have recently lost a spouse facilitated by a quirky therapist, Pórdís Jakobsdōttir, whose only college “degree” is an honorary one from Chokkold Institute in Iceland. She conducts the therapy sessions in her simply furnished living room dominated by the imposing image of her mentor Josefine Christophersen-Hemmingsen which gives Pórdis comfort and the appearance of legitimacy. The picture never speaks, but her looming image affects everybody, especially her mentee. The story unfolds like many tales of strangers grouped together at random with some surprising twists especially when the reader learns early on that relatives of two of the grievers, Cornelius’ 14-year-old granddaughter Phoebe and LaVeronica’s son, . . .

Ann Moore (Togo) — The Volunteer Who Invented the Snugli

Aug 29 2022

by Jeremiah Norris Colombia 1963-65 After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, Ann Moore taught pediatric nursing at Babies Hospital, Colombia University, in New York. In 1962, the Chief Resident of Pediatrics at Babies Hospital was asked to organized the first Peace Corps medical team to go to Togo, and Ann was recruited along with 30 other medical and health specialists — doctors, nurses, lab techs, a pharmacist, and a sanitation engineer. Their mission was to teach preventive care. For the entire first year in Togo they worked in an abandoned hospital where they treated —and nurtured patients back to health. In the second year, they were able to teach various good health promoting behaviors — like nutrition, latrine building, hand washing, etc. The volunteers all noted and remarked about the outstanding emotional well-being of African infants, either sick or healthy. All of the babies and toddlers were . . .

Search Results For -Eres Tu