Peace Corps Polyglot

Annd...He's Off! Climate Activist Starts Tour to Connect with Fellow RPCVs

Minnesota RPCV Paul Thompson (Malaysia 70-73) cares deeply about the need for U.S. leadership and global action on climate change. 

An avid Flying Disc enthusiast, Paul is on his way to Jacksonville for the World Flying Disc Federation Championships, and then to Washington for a regional competition.  He wanted to put his stops along the way to good use and thus, a "Climate Conversations" tour was launched.

Starting Friday in Rockford Illinois and ending July 23rd in Milwaukee, Paul will be hosting a series of informal gatherings that are being planned to connect with RPCVs and others who are concerned about the need to address the climate crisis.  Climate conversations will be held in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and in the District of Columbia.  Check out the itinerary and forward it to others - RPCVs or otherwise!

We hope to connect with RPCVs and others who are interested in taking action including:

• working with other international based groups planning local meetings with congressional leaders to urge that climate legislation include adequate support for impoverished nations.
• making plans to organize events October 24th in connection with 350.org 

If you are not in the vicinity of these climate conversations but want to find out how you can help, contact advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org or join our group on Peace Corps Connect. 

Friends of Malaysia wins the Ruppe Award for Outstanding Community Service

This year the Loret Miller Ruppe Award for Outstanding Community Service goes to Friends of Malaysia’s Project Wizard of the World (WOW).

The Ruppe Award is presented by the NPCA to an outstanding member group for a project or projects that promote the Third Goal of Peace Corps or continue to serve host countries, build group spirit and cooperation, and promote service. Eligible projects either have been completed within the past two years or have been on-going for at least three years. The award not only to recognizes the great work that NPCA's groups are doing, but also generates ideas that other groups may emulate in their communities.

Friends of Malaysia's Project WOW brings Malaysia RPCVs to grade school classrooms around the country in an effort to fulfill the Third Goal of Peace Corps - bringing the world back home - by promoting global awareness and cross-cultural understanding among young Americans.

The 42 RPCVs use Malaysian folktales as a gateway for children to gain broader cultural understanding of Malaysia. In 30 states, over 3,300 elementary school students have gained some familiarity with Malaysia via these folktales, multi-media presentations, flashcards, show-and-tell, discussion, and Malaysian memorabilia - all provided by Tourism Malaysia and corporate donors such as Tuttle Publishing, G2, Inc., with support from DHL, Malaysia. Project WOW has been has been remarkably successful in organizing the project, engaging RPCVs, and reaching out to their communities nationwide.

Congratulations to Friends of Malaysia!

(At right, May Maniam accepts the Loret Miller Ruppe Award for Outstanding Community Service on behalf of Friends of Malaysia. May was instrumental in developing the curriculum for the Wizards of the World project. Photo courtesy of Juliet Dervin.)