Peace Corps Polyglot

Peace Corps Collection at the Kennedy Archives: Things You Need to Know

Peace Corps Volunteers often return home with a range of documents and mementos that chronicle their individual abroad experiences. A collection at the Kennedy Library in Boston compiles these materials in an effort to record the broader history of the Peace Corps through the words and stories of individual volunteers. The collection is central to the Third Goal of the Peace Corps - to "bring the world back home," as it allows the documents of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to be accessed by the public and used to educate Americans about the rest of the world in a positive light.

The collection came to fruition through the efforts of John Coyne (Ethiopia 62-64) and a panel of RPCVs looking to find a home for the vast array of Peace Corps writings. Coyne, an author himself, is also the editor of www.peacecorpswriters.org, and a leading figure in the effort to bring together the stories of Peace Corps Volunteers. The collection fittingly landed at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Current curator of the Peace Corps Collection, Jamie Quaglino, noted "the mission of the [library] is to collect material that documents the life and times of President John F. Kennedy. The Peace Corps Collection documents the efforts of a program that began during Kennedy's administration, yet still continues today."

The current Peace Corps Collection has two major components - the Personal Papers and Oral Histories of RPCVs. The Personal Papers collection, established nearly 25 years ago, includes letters home from Volunteers, memos and training guides, newspaper articles about volunteer efforts, postcards, photographs, scrapbooks, and PCV memoirs. The more recent Oral Histories collection consists primarily of audiotapes which have been compiled by trained interviewers and can be listened to at the library. Both components work to weave together a broader history of the Peace Corps through the words of those who served.

The collection is dependent on the donation of material by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Click here to read an interview with Jamie Quaglino and learn how you can donate documents and help construct a public Peace Corps history.

Worldview Magazine: Call for Submissions

Worldview Magazine is looking for submissions for the Fall 2008 issue. The issue will center on the theme "Peace Corps for the 21st Century."

In three years, Peace Corps will celebrate its 50th anniversary. How has is fared in that time. What is its legacy - and its future? Can a bigger, better and bolder Peace corps be part of an overall "smart power" effort to restore U.S. standing in the world to better help address pressing global problems?

Tentative topic areas include:

• Goals and Models: If Peace Corps was invented now what would it look like, how would it be organized? How does Peace Corps stack up with its competition?
• Partnership: How could Peace Corps be more open to and creative in working with other entities?
• Size and Scale: How could we scale Peace Corps and obtain the resources required to do that and still ensure quality?

Article length should be between 700 and 1000 words, Word document format. Accompanying photos (digital format, high resolution) are welcome. Submissions can be e-mailed to [email protected]. Those article not published in the magazine may be published on the WorldView website. We reserve the right to determine what will be published, where.

And as always, Worldview welcomes submissions for its other sections. Please see the WorldView Writer Guidelines for details.

Deadline for submission: July 14, 2008

End of an Era: Peace Corps Discontinues Newsweek Subscriptions for Volunteers

We've heard through the grapevine that the Peace Corps recently informed volunteers that it is canceling its subscription to Newsweek magazine. Peace Corps Volunteers have been receiving Newsweek on site since 1982. In an email to serving volunteers, the Peace Corps cited increased Internet access as the reason for discontinuing the subscription. The organization feels that since volunteers now have the ability to get news in other ways, the magazine no longer serves a fundamental purpose. The September 22nd issue will be the last Newsweek Peace Corps Volunteers received.

The cancellation has sparked discussion on Peace Corps message boards. While some feel that the decision makes sense, other returned volunteers worry that it is the loss of an important resource, one that not only provided a comforting connection to home but also could be used as a teaching tool.

What are your thoughts on the decision to cancel volunteer subscriptions?

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington D.C. Raise Funds for Solar Panel Project

Every year the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington D.C. (RPCVw) demonstrate their continuing commitment to the work of the Peace Corps by sponsoring a Peace Corps Partnership Project. The year they teamed up with Sarah Mendelsohn, a PCV from Ohio who is helping her village in Cape Verde build solar panels for a community center.

The community of Hortelao where Sarah is serving does not have access to electricity. This lack of electricity has, among other things, put serious limitations on the village's jam business. When the solar panels are up and running the jam business will be able to expand its product base by using refrigerators they already own. Expenses will decrease since there will no longer be a need for a generator to mix the fruit. Sarah commented on the powerful impact the solar panels and the RPCVw partnership will have, stating:

I cannot tell you how excited my community of Hortelao is for our solar panels. A couple of weeks ago a group of girls began forming a study group, which will take place in our Community Center once they have lights. The women involved in our jam-making income generating project are currently receiving a workshop from a Portuguese NGO. During this workshop the women asked for suggestion of new products that will be possible with refrigerators, this is the first time I have ever seen them speak in workshops; normally they are painfully shy. Also, this NGO looked over our proposal for the solar panels and is interested in pursuing the idea for the entire town of Hortelao. I thank each of you for your generosity and promise to keep you up-to-date, with pictures and messages from Hortelao.

RPCVw plans to donate $1,000 to the project and they need the support of members to reach that goal. They are holding their annual Partnership Reception on June 26, 2008 to raise funds for the project. The event will be held at Toro Mata - The Art of Peru, 2410 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. The suggested minimum donation is $20 for RPCVw members and $30 for non-members.

Click here to RSVP to the event and learn more about the Partnership Program.

Peace Corps honors 2008 Franklin H. Williams Award Winners

On June 19th the Peace Corps held the 2008 Franklin H. Williams Awards to honor returned Peace Corps Volunteers of color who continue the Peace Corps mission through their commitment to community service and who support the agency's Third Goal of promoting a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Eleven RPCV's who have dedicated their lives to giving back to their communities were recognized at the ceremony.

The Franklin Awards, established in 1999, are named for former Peace Corps regional director for Africa and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Franklin H. Williams. Williams worked alongside Sargent Shriver to establish the Peace Corps and was the first and highest ranking African American in the agency. He was committed to inclusiveness and envisioned that the Peace Corps would reflect the diversity of America. Williams remained dedicated to international development work and the goals of the Peace Corps long after his time with the agency. Peace Corps director Ron Tschetter stated, "named for Ambassador Franklin H. Williams, this award pays tribute to his legacy. Mr. Williams' service to his country, both foreign and domestic, is a beacon we may all follow throughout our lives."

W. Frank Fountain (India 66-68), the 2008 Peace Corps Director's Award honoree, spoke at the ceremony. Fountain is the senior vice president of external affairs and public policy at Chrysler LLC, and is the highest ranking African-American at the company. He also serves as president of The Chrysler Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports the company's leadership in corporate social responsibility for the U.S. and globally. In his remarks Fountain talked about the importance of an expanded Peace Corps.

The 2008 Franklin H. Williams Award recipients are: Maria Pearson Shockley (Namibia 02-04), George Rutherford (Zaire 88-91), Ella M. Phillips Lacey (Malawi 95-97), D. Jorge Urbina (Cote D'Ivoire 70-72), Ginny A. Lee (Zambia 03-04), Mark H. Lewis (Nicaragua 93-95), Tina Chan Sweenie (Niger 97-99), Gloria Watkins (South Africa 03-06), Linda Fujikawa (76-78), Lillian D. Benjamin (Cote D'Ivoire 2002), and LaHoma Smith Romocki (Central African Republic 80-82).

To read more in depth descriptions of the honorees click here.

Conference Looks at the Future of Peace Corps

In conjunction with the launch of the MorePeaceCorps Campaign, NPCA convened a small gathering of thought leaders and original Peace Corps architects on June 13-15 to begin a discussion on the future of Peace Corps.

How might Peace Corps be enhanced in ways to improve its effectiveness for its next 50 years? How can it better respond to demand from countries who want Peace Corps programs and individuals who want to serve? 

Participants spent two days at the Pocantico Conference Center outside of New York City discussing just these questions.

Two draft discussion papers, participant list, agenda and a link to photos from the meeting are now available on the NPCA website, with plans to post more information in the weeks ahead.

>> Click Here to Learn More about the Pocantico Conference

Peace Corps Community Mourns Loss of Bud Keith

The National Peace Corps Association was saddened to learn of the death of Bud Keith, long-time leader of Peace Corps Panama Friends and former NPCA board member. Bud, who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama in Group 8 from 1965-1967, passed away on Saturday June 14th at the age of 68. Bud was blinded at the age of 11 in a school yard-accident and while in Panama worked with the Helen Keller School for the Blind and other programs for the visually impaired in Panama City. After the Peace Corps he worked as a senior official with the Department of Health and Human Services and was heavily involved in promoting athletic programs for the blind and visually impaired.

A member of Peace Corps Panama Friends had this to say about Bud:

Bud Keith's disability never defined his life. In addition to his work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, he was a leader in the returned Peace Corps Volunteer community. He served on the Board of Directors of the National Peace Corps Association from 1988 to 1991. He was president of the Peace Corps Panama Friends for the past 15 years. He worked with the PCPF Directive to build a strong alumni group to enable our members to stay in touch with Panama and with each other and to raise funds for volunteer projects in Panama. Bud helped Group 8 stay a uniquely close group of friends. Each December, Bud collected and then distributed year-end letters from Group 8 members. More than 40 years of Group 8 news, opinion, and humor. Fittingly, four of this Group 8 friends - Tom Brew, Jim Hannan, Dave Hughes, and Peter Slattery - were with Bud the day he died. Bud's love for Panama never ended, as he continued to visit the country throughout his life, and support projects, especially those serving the blind. He was still working to accomplish one of his life's dreams, to establish a scholarship fund for blind Panamanian students.

In honor of Bud, Peace Corps Panama Friends has established the Bud Keith Memorial Fund for programs benefiting the blind in Panama. People wishing to donate to the Fund can do so by clicking here or by mailing a check made to "Peace Corps Panama Friends" memo "Bud Keith Memorial Fund" to PCPF, 3858 N. Tazewell Street, Arlington, VA 22207-4533.

Click here to read Bud Keith's obituary in the Washington Post.

Friends of Thailand Sponsors Current PCV Projects

Friends of Thailand, the official alumni organization of Peace Corps Thailand, has made helping out current PCV's one of its top priorities. The organization achieves this goal by providing financial support for Peace Corps Thailand Volunteer Projects. Friends of Thailand has sponsored 48 PCV projects in Thailand since 2002, in amounts ranging from $70 to $1300. Funded projects have ranged from assisting a local woman's cooperative develop a chili paste business to providing funds to build and install children's playground equipment in an urban housing project.

When Friends of Thailand was forming in 2001 then-current Country Director, Roger Harmon, specifically asked if they could help with PCV project sponsorship. This organization was able to make this a reality with the help of membership fees and special donations. Friends of Thailand President Carolyn Nickels remarked that providing this assistance to Peace Corps and the people of Thailand "has been our way of saying 'thank you' for all we have received as volunteers."

In 2007 FoT helped support PCV Welcome Bisson of Buriram in Northeastern Thailand assist a mushroom cooperative expand his base to include a new member (pictured above). Welcome assisted with the project and documented its successful launch for the Friends of Thailand community and website. Click here to see photos and narratives about the project.

"Making a Difference:" Santa Barbara Peace Corps Association Gives Mini-Grants

Through a regularly-changing feature on the homepage of our website the NPCA likes to take the time to highlight affiliated individuals and groups who are "Making a Difference." We look for projects that demonstrate service to others in domestic and/or international communities and can be replicated by inspired individuals.

We most recently acknowledged the difference-making work of the Santa Barbara Peace Corps Association. The SBPCA is offering project mini-grants to currently serving Peace Corps volunteers who have either lived in Santa Barbara County or have been recommended by an active member of SBPCA, and through the Peace Corps Partnership program. Already in 2008 $500 grants have been given to PCV's Daniel Alejandro and Suzanne Hartley. Daniel's grant will go to a stove making project in Sibinal, San Marcos, Guatemala, while Suzanne will be using the money to support a bead making project in Abampe, Ghana (pictured on right). To download the SBPCA Mini-Grant Application click here. Applications are reviewed and grants awarded on a quarterly basis.

To send in a nomination for the NPCA's "Making a Difference" feature click here. Remember no suggestion is too big or too small!

"The Future is Bright:" Sam Goldman Blogs about his Peace Corps Inspired Venture

In the Winter 2007 Technology issue of Worldview magazine we featured an article by Sam Goldman (Benin 01-05), the founder and CEO of d.light design a "social enterprise dedicated to bringing modern lighting and power to underserved populations including 1.6 billion people currently without electricity globally." While serving in Benin, Goldman was disturbed by the fact that people in his village were depending on dangerous and inefficient kerosene lamps for light. He was inspired to find a way to provide people in the developing world with "safer, brighter, and more afforable lighting." Upon his return to the United States Goldman enrolled in Stanford Business School and it was there that d.light design was born.

Sam Goldman now has a featured blog on Social Edge, a NPCA partner and site where social entrepreneurs can connect and share their stories. Goldman got his start with Social Edge as part of the Peace Corps Entrepreneurs podcast series, in which returned Peace Corps volunteers were interviewed about their new lives as social entrepreneurs. His blog is an account of his life as he learns, often the hard way, what it is like set up a global company. Sam is also featured as one of the site's top x interviews (in the same company as Jimmy Carter!) Check it out to see how a volunteer has translated his Peace Corps experience into a social enterprise!