Peace Corps Worldwide – Page 72 – promoting Peace Corps writers since 1989

Review — THE BAD ANGEL BROTHERS by Paul Theroux (Malawi)

Oct 03 2022

The Bad Angel Brothers by Paul Theroux (Malawi 1963-65)) ‎Mariner Books Publisher ‎352 pages September 2022 $14.99 (Kindle); $26.09 (Hardcover), $22.35 or 1 credit (Audiobook) Reviewed by Mark D. Walker (Guatemala 1971-73) • Paul Theroux (Malawi 1963-65) is probably the most prolific of the Returned Peace Corps writers, with 33 works in fiction and 53 books overall. As with his latest book, I wasn’t enthusiastic about reading it, as I prefer his nonfiction travel stories. But just as was the case reading the life of the aging surfer in Hawaii in Under the Wave of Waimae (2021), he does a stellar job developing the characters in this psychological thriller. This most recent book is a classic tale of a dysfunctional family. A younger brother’s rivalry with his older brother, Frank, a domineering brother and a well-known lawyer in their small community in Massachusetts. Frank also has a propensity to come up with . . .

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 . . .

EPITAPH by Carolyn Ladelle Bennett (Sierra Leone)

Oct 01 2022

A nation dying of self-inflicted mental and moral wounds turns rabid-extremist. Leadership crippled by corruption, moral impairment, physical and mental decay, capable of nothing other than the same old thing, flails and destroys and in cowardice (likened to an infant, but powered by lethal partners), ducks responsibility and blames a made-for-the-occasion “enemy.” America’s leadership class of kleptocrats, gerontocrats, incestuous hangers-on and clingers to Washington’s revolving door are the American (anachronistic, anarchist, nihilist) extremists. They create and feed on global and national crises; and spawn America’s weakness, unpreparedness, and loss of common defense. Their age must end. Epitaph returns to the framers of the American Union, lays out the nature of present-day American extremism with critical evidence from distant headlines and information sources and context of world thinkers — originating far beyond the Washington Beltway. The work ends with advisory notes to youth, and notes toward forming a “More Perfect . . .

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 . . .

THE MOUNTIAN AND THE SEA by Ray Nayler (Turkmenistan)

Sep 28 2022

Humankind discovers intelligent life in an octopus species with its own language and culture, and sets off a high-stakes global competition to dominate the future. Rumors begin to spread of a species of hyperintelligent, dangerous octopus that may have developed its own language and culture. Marine biologist Dr. Ha Nguyen, who has spent her life researching cephalopod intelligence, will do anything for the chance to study them. The transnational tech corporation DIANIMA has sealed the remote Con Dao Archipelago, where the octopuses were discovered, off from the world. Dr. Nguyen joins DIANIMA’s team on the islands: a battle-scarred security agent and the world’s first android. The octopuses hold the key to unprecedented breakthroughs in extrahuman intelligence. The stakes are high: there are vast fortunes to be made by whoever can take advantage of the octopuses’ advancements, and as Dr. Nguyen struggles to communicate with the newly discovered species, forces . . .

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. . . .

Your Peace Corps Story In The Libraries of Our World

Sep 26 2022

Thanks for the ‘heads up’ suggestions from Steve Kaffen (Russia 1994-96) by John Coyne (Ethiopia 1962-64) I was doing my daily browsing in my home town library and on the library’s giveaway shelf was a perfect copy of Papa: Hemingway in Key West 1928-1940 by James McLendon. Tucked inside this Popular Library paperback (which, by the way, sold for 95 cents when it was published in 1972) was an article on Hemingway from the April 12, 1999 Newsweek magazine. The article was about the publication of True at First Light, the last writings of Papa, edited by his son Patrick. I also picked up off the shelf The Sportswriter, a novel by the Pen/Faulkner winning writer Richard Ford. Beside it was a collection of short stories, The Next New World, by one of my favorite Peace Corps writers, Bob Shacochis, Eastern Caribbean 1975-76. None of them was stamped as a library book; they had all been . . .

Peace Corps Chief Executive Officer Carol Spahn announces climate initiative

Sep 25 2022

WASHINGTON – Peace Corps Chief Executive Officer Carol Spahn announced that over the next year the agency will implement a climate initiative to support over two million hours of volunteer and staff service in approximately 50 countries around the world. Speaking via video at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City, CEO Spahn described how approximately 1,000 Peace Corps volunteers will work with host country partners to identify and implement strategies that contribute to climate priorities and national plans. “Climate change disproportionally impacts the Global South, including many countries in which Peace Corps Volunteers serve,” said CEO Spahn. “The world is at an inflection point when it comes to the climate emergency; it is now or never, and we are choosing now.” Volunteers and their host communities will work together to promote climate-smart agriculture practices, develop community tree nurseries, and increase climate literacy through environmental education. Additionally, the Peace Corps . . .

Marian Haley Beil Creates Peace Corps Writers (Ethiopia)

Sep 24 2022

Marian Haley Beil (Ethiopia 1962-64) started the first newsletter for the growing group of returning volunteers. Along with John Coyne she started a blog https://peacecorpsworldwide.org/category/pc-writers/and worked to get the stories of the PCVs coming out of Ethiopia published. Finally, she established the Peace Corps Writers Imprint, encouraging all of us to write those stories down. https://peacecorpsworldwide.org/books/books-published-by-pc-writers/publish-with-pc-writers-imprint/ There are few who can match her enthusiasm for her work with RPCV writers. There are many who owe her for her dedication for creating opportunities such as EERPCV in order to bring so many of us together. This video is an opportunity to learn more about our Peace Corps history from one who helped create it. Cinda Mosca (Ethiopia 1967-69) President of Ethiopia & Eritrea Returned Peace Corps Volunteers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Z8L7qDNOQ Attachments area Preview YouTube video Marian H Beil, Ethiopia 1962-1964 Marian H Beil, Ethiopia 1962-1964

DRAYTON HALL STORIES by George W. McDaniel (Togo)

Sep 23 2022

George W. McDaniel (Togo 1968-70) has writing a new portrayal of this 18th-century icon among America’s historic sites, Drayton Hall Stories: A Place and Its People is the first book in the nation to focus on a site’s recent history using interviews with descendants (both White and Black), board members, staff, donors, architects, historians, preservationists, tourism leaders, and more. Like different pieces of a mosaic, each interview combines with others to create an engaging picture of this one place, revealing never-before-shared family moments, major decisions in preservation and site stewardship, and pioneering efforts to transform a Southern plantation into a site for racial conciliation. Readers will come to see Drayton Hall’s people not as stereotypes, but as the real people they were — and are. Maps, photographs, lines of descent, interview questions, a how-to guide, and related website, all provide blueprints for readers who wish to undertake similar endeavors to build . . .

Leeatt Rothschild — “Packed with Purpose” (Paraguay)

Sep 22 2022

Leeatt Rothschild writes: “A few years ago, I discovered a way to embed the act of doing good into the gifts we give. Packed with Purpose was born out of my desire to create social impact while recognizing the importance of gifting in fostering meaningful relationships. Packed with Purpose gifts enable companies (from Fortune 500 to nonprofit organizations) to create social impact while positively influencing their business across employees, clients, and other key stakeholders. “My experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer — Paraguay 2008-10 — and social impact consultant inspired me to create these gifts that give back.” In Paraguay she launched an income-generating fertilizer business with local farmers, witnessing the profound impact that economic development has on underserved communities. Before serving in the Peace Corps, she was a Rotary Youth Ambassador in Morelia, Mexico, and then earned her bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. Upon graduation, she joined the . . .

Peace Corps at the Kennedy Center on September 24th

Sep 21 2022

Join Peace Corps at the Kennedy Center on September 24th We invite you to join us at the Global Connections: Stories from the Peace Corps event at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. EST. As part of the Kennedy Center’s 50th anniversary celebrations, this distinctive event will showcase inspirational stories about the transformational connections made in the Peace Corps. Darlene Grant, Senior Advisor to the CEO and RPCV Cambodia, will be the emcee for the event and will also be sharing a story from her service in Cambodia. Scheduled Storytellers Aisha Harris-Parker, Language and Cross Cultural Coordinator, Peace Corps Jamaica Dinesh Karki, Deputy Program Director, Peace Corps Nepal Brianna Maltez, Virtual Service Outreach and Selection Specialist (RPCV/Mozambique) Kelsey McMahon, Virtual Service Participant Support Specialist (RPCV/South Africa) Anisa Rahaman, Office of the Chief Information Officer Herizo Ramanantsialonina, Health Programming and Training Specialist, Peace Corps Madagascar Ella Sokoliuk, Public Health Specialist . . .

Writing Your Peace Corps Story

Sep 21 2022

Writing your Peace Corps Story Lee Gutkind who started the first Creative Nonfiction program at the University of Pittsburgh writes simply that “creative nonfiction are “true stories well told.” In some ways, creative nonﬁction is like jazz—it’s a rich mix of favors, ideas, and techniques, some of which are newly invented and others as old as writing itself. Creative nonﬁction can be an essay, a journal article, a research paper, a memoir, or a poem; it can be personal or not, or it can be all of these. Creative nonfiction is also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nonfiction and is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. Creative nonfiction contrasts with other nonfiction, such as academic or technical writing or journalism, which is also rooted in accurate fact, but is not written to entertain based on writing style or florid prose. . . .

BALLET ORPHANS by Terez Mertes Rose (Gabon)

Sep 20 2022

Ballet Orphans: A Prequel (Ballet Theatre Chronicles: Book 3) by Terez Mertes Rose (Gabon 1985-87) Classical Girl Press January 2021 375 pages $12.99 (Paperback), $2.99 (Kindle) Terez writes: I am the author of Off Balance and Outside the Limelight ( 2015, 2016), A Dancer’s Guide to Africa (2018) and Ballet Orphans (Jan 2021). A former Peace Corps volunteer and ballet dancer, my writing has appeared in numerous publications, including the Crab Orchard Review, Women Who Eat (Seal Press), A Woman’s Europe (Travelers’ Tales), Literary Mama, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the San Jose Mercury News. I review ballet performances for Bachtrack.com and blog about ballet and classical music at The Classical Girl. I make my home in the Santa Cruz Mountains with my husband and son. I love humor, hiking, an engrossing book, and a nice glass of red.”

Issue 7 of “Inside Peace Corps” is now available

Sep 20 2022

Here is the link to read the latest Issue of Inside Peace Corps https://elink.clickdimensions.com/m/1/42800499/02-t22252-ade13aeef6b0438297841dc4943063c1/1/1/1 You may also go to peacecorps.gov and on the menu, click on NEWS. Issue 7 contains information on the following: Chief Executive Officer’s Message (Chief Executive Officer is Carol Spahn. She has been nominated to be Peace Corps Director. Her confirmatin hearing in the Senate have not yet been scheduled,) Calling all RPCVs to inspire your networks to apply The Return of Volunteers to Service Overseas. Sexual Assault Advisory Council Summit. Revised Volunteer Core Expectations and Staff Responsibilities and Conduct. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Annual Meeting There are also stories of Volunteer service, events planned and “Peace Corps in the News.”