NEWS ABOUT PEACE CORPS FELLOWS/USA

fellowsvolume 18, issue 2 . winter 2009 FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Peace Corps Welcomes a New Director This summer, President recruitment and project evalua- of assistance programs in Latin Obama nominated, and the tion officer for the Peace Corps America, Africa, Asia, and the U.S. Senate confirmed, Aaron in his hometown of Chicago from Middle East. He was awarded S. Williams as the 18th Director 1970 to 1971. the USAID Distinguished Career of the Peace Corps. Williams has pursued a ca- Service Award, and was twice “I am deeply honored to be the reer in the development and awarded the Presidential Award Director of the Peace Corps and implementation of worldwide for Distinguished Service. I want to thank President Obama assistance programs. Williams He is a member of the Council for the trust that he has placed in was a vice president for inter- on Foreign Relations, and he me. I look forward to making his national business development was a member of the USAID call to public service a reality for with RTI International. He was Advisory Committee on Vol- more Americans,” said Director also a senior manager at the U.S. untary Foreign Aid. He served Williams. “I am committed to re- Agency for International Develop- on the Obama-Biden transition cruiting, training, and supporting ment (USAID), where he attained team, the advisory board of the the next generation of skilled and the rank of career minister in the Ron Brown Scholar Program, enthusiastic Volunteers eager to U.S. Senior Foreign Service. He the board of directors of CARE, serve side by side with members also served as executive vice and the boards of the Institute of Peace Corps host communi- president of the International for Sustainable Communities, ties around the world.” Youth Foundation. the Pan American Development Williams is the fourth Direc- As USAID mission director in Foundation, and the National Peace Corps Director tor to have served as a Peace South Africa, Williams led a $1 Peace Corps Association. Aaron S. Williams Corps Volunteer. He served as a billion foreign assistance program Williams is fluent in Spanish. Volunteer in the Dominican Re- during President Nelson Man- He is a graduate of Chicago ing his service as a Volunteer public from 1967 to 1970. Upon dela’s administration. In addition, State University, and has an MBA in the Dominican Republic. The completing his service, he served he has extensive experience in from the University of Wisconsin. couple have two sons, Michael as the coordinator of minority the design and management Williams met his wife Rosa dur- and Steven.

Coming Full Circle By Nicole Warren (RPCV/Mali, 1994-1997; Fellow/Johns Hopkins, 1998)

I was sworn in as a Peace in amazement as she put my fall at the bottom of the medical Clients came to her on the backs Corps Volunteer in May 1994, af- inexperience with birth in the hierarchy. Because of their rural of bikes, mopeds, and donkey ter three months of crash courses same category as not being able location and relatively low status, carts. She never turned them in local language and maternal to pound millet or carry water on most matrones are inadequately away. She couldn’t have if she and child health, and was de- my head. Despite our vast differ- trained, poorly supervised, lack wanted to. They literally trailed posited rather unceremoniously ences, Sali took it upon herself basic equipment, and receive her as she made the well-worn in a village about eight miles off to introduce me to working with little continuing education. trip from her home to the village a paved road in southeast Mali, childbearing women. Despite these challenges, maternity throughout the day. West Africa. By default, I began In Mali, matrones are formally matrones are committed, deter- On market days, when I working with Sali, a matrone, or trained health care workers, pro- mined health care workers who helped her with prenatal consul- auxiliary midwife. She was the viding the majority of reproduc- provide the best care they can tations, Sali’s multitasking was only female health care worker tive health services in a country with little respite or support. It at its peak. I remember watching available in her community. where one in 15 women die from was Sali who introduced me to her assess one client’s abdomen, When I met her, Sali could a childbearing-related cause. the realities such a woman would explain how to take an antibiotic not believe I had never seen a Though they are uniquely situated face as wife, mother, farmer, and to another confused client, and child born. Hadn’t everyone? to help reduce maternal mortality matrone. Sali’s family and clients breastfeed the youngest of her She laughed, shaking her head in their communities, matrones needed her attention at all hours. continued on page 3 Friend Us, Fan Us, and Follow Us

Peace Corps has jumped head first into the 21st century using social networking sites such as b Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Peace Corps In our online world, these sites provide one of the best ways to connect with a broad new audience. Compared to a standard website, social networking is more interactive and personal, making it easier Fellows/USA to get involved. Social networking sites are especially useful to our partner universities, who can use them as a To submit stories or ideas: powerful tool for raising awareness of the programs they offer, as well as for recruitment. With their very own YouTube channel, Fellows at the University of Arizona are able to share their unique experiences with the online community. Duquesne and Western Illinois use Facebook pages Write Peace Corps Fellows/USA and groups to provide information on their degree programs, and to keep their Fellows connected. Paul D. Coverdell Other than keeping Fellows up to date on what’s happening on campus, social networking sites Peace Corps Headquarters provide the Fellows with a community made up of other RPCVs. Assimilating back into American cul- 1111 20th Street NW ture can be hard following service, but having a group of people with a similar background can make Washington, DC 20526 that process a lot easier. As a Fellow, you can also use sites like YouTube to chronicle your internship and promote your com- munity service project. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with a little self-promotion! Call So, next time you’re surfing the Web, make sure you connect with the Peace Corps community by 800.424.8580, ext. 1440 friending, fanning, or following us.

Fax 202.692.1421

E-mail [email protected]

Web www.peacecorps.gov/fellows Happy Anniversary to Our University Partners Julie Driver Congratulations to all of our partner universities celebrating an anniversary with the Fellows/USA program Program Manager in 2009! Thanks so much for your continuing contribution and commitment. [email protected] 5-year (founded 2004) 10-year (founded 1999) Duke University (public policy) University of New Orleans Michael Garcia Fordham University Southern New Hampshire University Program Assistant Seton Hill University Florida Institute of Technology [email protected] University of Cincinnati University of Maryland–Baltimore 15-year (founded 1994) University of South Carolina (business) Western Illinois University University of Vermont Illinois State University Sarah Van Auken University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point Program Assistant Xavier University [email protected]

Fellows is a publication of the Peace Corps. Views ex- pressed in Fellows are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily repre- sent the official views of the Peace Corps or the United States government. Current and past Fellows, administrative staff, and community internship supervisors celebrate Western Illinois University’s 15th anniversary.

Page 2 Full Circle Con’t from page 1 eight children—all at once. When the last client was taken care of, Sali would sigh and complain that her busy morning prevented her from getting the best produce at the market. I returned to the U.S. in 1996 and pursued training in nursing, midwifery, and public health, traveling to Mali as often as I could. In 2002, I became a nurse- midwife and began to appreciate the magnitude of the matrones’ Nicole Warren (far right) with participants in the Mali Midwives program. Photo courtesy responsibilities through my own professional lens. of Robert Akers. As I struggled to balance my own personal and professional their job as well as they would like, than a few phone conversations visit but not at the second, what responsibilities, I thought about struggling to meet their respon- and a couple of awkward emails. should I do?” Another asked, the matrones, who were doing sibilities with few supplies, little The day before the event, three “How many pills of iron should the same thing, only under much supervision, and little continuing of the region’s top clinical staff— the woman take?” A third tried harsher conditions and with far education. In a place like Mali, two sage-femmes, the most to clarify when and how much fewer resources. In the midst where the health care system is highly trained midwives in Mali, malaria prophylaxis should be of my busy clinic day, I could severely under-resourced, I knew and a physician specializing in given. These discussions had call up an electronic version of that these front-line matrones reproductive health—sat down the others on the edge of their evidence-based guidelines to would struggle to find that sup- to adapt the training materials to seats. The matrones had been help guide my practice. A well- port. fit the matrone’s education, skill waiting for an opportunity to rested, competent colleague Back at home, the matrones’ level, and preferred language ask these questions, to have an would reliably relieve me at the stories stayed with me. They had (Bambara, not French). audience with more highly skilled end of a 24-hour shift. If a client I told me about women bleeding The matrones were scheduled colleagues, and to discuss com- had been laboring with suddenly to death because they did not to arrive the next morning. I woke mon problems with peers. When developed a complication, I could have the drugs they needed. They up feeling anxious and hurried the matrones were satisfied, the call on a nearby expert to provide grew tired of delivering stillborns down to the medical center, trying session broke up and matrones needed care. Matrones have no caused by malaria. Like so much to keep my expectations low. But lingered, exchanging stories and such resources. of maternal and newborn mortal- as I turned the corner to the health ideas about caring for women and I was fascinated by the ma- ity, most of these tragedies were center’s courtyard, I was greeted newborns. trones’ experiences and admired preventable. by dozens of matrones chatting This was, by far, the shortest the way they managed with so So, in 2006, I formed an or- with old colleagues and friends. trip I have ever taken to Mali— few resources—and so the ma- ganization called Mali Midwives Sali flashed her broad smile at me barely two weeks. But as I said trones became the focus of my to support continuing education from the back of the crowd. I had goodbye to Sali and watched doctoral research. I traveled to for matrones. not seen her in four years. her start her journey back to the Mali in 2003-2004 to conduct my With enormous support from Over the next six days, 82 village where we had first met 15 field work, interviewing matrones other returned Peace Corps matrones participated in the years earlier, I felt like I had come in the district of Koutiala, where I Volunteers, U.S.-based nurse continuing education event, fo- full circle. To learn more about had served as a Volunteer. midwives, family, and friends, Mali cusing on “essential newborn Mali Midwives please visit mal- The matrones were natural Midwives raised enough funds by care.” At the end of each session, imidwives.org or email Nicole at collaborators, eager to tell their 2009 to sponsor a pilot project: matrones were initially hesitant to [email protected]. stories and proud of the contri- a continuing education event for ask questions. The first few shy butions they make to their com- matrones in Koutiala. inquiries gave way to a barrage Reprinted with permission from munities. They described the way The medical director and the of questions well beyond the ses- Johns Hopkins Nursing maga- they link traditional and biomedi- midwifery supervisor I had known sion materials. They did their best zine. cal models of care and provide in Koutiala in 2004 had both been to take advantage of having three access to higher levels of care replaced in the intervening years, supervisors at their disposal. when needed. Many expressed so the first Mali Midwives event One matrone asked, “If I hear frustration that they could not do was organized with nothing more heart tones at the first prenatal

Would you like to see yourself in the Fellows/USA newsletter? We would like to increase the visibility of individual Fellows and programs. If you have a story to share about your experience as a Fellow, or your Fellows/USA program, let us know! Email story ideas, profiles of students and staff, and photos to [email protected].

Page 3 Walking the Walk Fresh Faces at at the 2009 Fellows/USA

Michael Garcia Coordinator’s has been on staff with Fellows/USA since Conference March of this year, but his work with Peace Corps began back in 2003 when he became a munici- pal development Vol- unteer in Guatemala. After completing his service in 2005, he became a Peace Corps Fellow at Car- negie Mellon Univer- sity where he earned a master’s degree in public policy and management. Sarah Van Auken joined Fellows/USA in August. In col- lege, she spent four years as a work study From left are Sarah Van Auken, student with Peace Danielle Scism, and Michael Garcia. From left are Jordan House manager Marco Murillo, Kathleen Corps Returned Vol- Kennedy, Julie Driver, Kate Reinsma, Sarah Van Auken, Henry unteer Services. She gradu- August as a federal work study Schwalbenberg, and Georgia Ehlers. (Not shown is Michael ated in 2008 from The George student. She currently attends Garcia) Washington University with a Georgetown University, where bachelor’s degree in religion. she is majoring in government This year’s Peace Corps Co- At the end of the second day’s Danielle Scism has worked with a minor in history. ordinator’s Conference was at- sessions, four coordinators joined with Fellows/USA since late tended by representatives of Fellows/USA staff at Jordan House, nearly 30 Fellows/USA partner a Washington, D.C.-based psychi- universities. atric crisis stabilization program, as Through the variety of sessions part of the White House’s United Director Named offered, coordinators learned new We Serve initiative. Together, they ways to use existing tools, such landscaped part of the backyard. as social media marketing and In moving dirt, they moved the for Office of Public grant writing, to strengthen their idea of a tranquility garden a bit programs. Coordinators also closer to reality. They also sorted delved deeply into topics that are clothes and organized the base- Engagement central to the program, attempting ment storage area so incoming David Medina currently serves as the director of the new to answer questions like “What is residents could more easily find Peace Corps Office of Public Engagement, formerly known as service learning?” and “Which what they needed. Finally, they the Office of Domestic Programs. Medina previously served as evaluation metrics are most ap- washed baseboards in anticipation propriate?” As usual, one of the of an upcoming open house that deputy chief of staff to First Lady of the United States Michelle primary benefits to coordinators would showcase Jordan House to Obama. was the opportunity to exchange its neighbors and supporters. Over the last 16 years, Medina has also worked for the U.S. ideas and best practices. Spending a few hours together Global Leadership Campaign, U.S. Sen. John Edwards, the On a lighter note, coordinators outside of the office and do- Democratic National Committee, the AFL-CIO, and U.S. Sen. brainstormed ideas for celebrat- ing work that Fellows do was a Carol Moseley-Braun. th ing Fellows/USA’s 25 anniversary wonderful way to connect on a Medina has served on the University of Chicago’s Alumni in 2010 and Peace Corps’ 50th new level. Everyone enjoyed the Visiting Committee and the national boards of the Human Rights anniversary in 2011. These two afternoon and hopes it can be- Campaign and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. anniversaries promise to bring come a permanent part of future welcome attention to the many conferences. Medina received his bachelor’s degree from the University of positive contributions Fellows/ Chicago and his master of public policy degree from Harvard’s USA programs make to commu- Kennedy School of Government. nities across the country.

Page 4 Fellows/USA Peace Corps Fall Census Returns to University of Denver...... 64 Sierra Leone University of Arizona ...... 57 Johns Hopkins University ...... 48 Columbia University Teachers College ...... 36 University of Michigan...... 26 Duke University...... 24 Carnegie Mellon University ...... 20 Western New Mexico University ...... 14 The New School ...... 14 University of Maryland-Baltimore County ...... 13 University of South Carolina...... 13 Western Illinois University ...... 12 Marquette University ...... 10 Illinois State University ...... 9 Indiana University ...... 9 New Mexico State University...... 9 Fordham University ...... 8 University of Missouri-Columbia ...... 8 A Peace Corps Volunteer works with young boys in Sierra University of Oregon ...... 8 Leone in the 1980s. University of Vermont ...... 8 University of New Orleans ...... 7 United States and Sierra Leone with additional Peace Corps Bowling Green State University ...... 6 government officials signed an Response Volunteers also arriv- Duquesne University...... 6 agreement to re-establish a Peace ing in 2010. The Volunteers will Florida Institute of Technology ...... 6 Corps program in Sierra Leone focus on secondary education in Southern New Hampshire University ...... 6 after a 16-year absence. Glenn public schools and work together University of Maryland-Baltimore ...... 6 Fedzer, the Chargé d’Affaires for with communities on grassroots the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, initiatives and community devel- Yale University...... 6 and Sierra Leone Minister of For- opment throughout the country. Seton Hill University ...... 5 eign Affairs Zainab Hawa Bangura “On behalf of Ambassador University of Cincinnati ...... 5 signed an agreement to officially June Carter Perry, I am honored University of Maryland-College Park ...... 5 re-establish Peace Corps/Sierra to participate in the signing of this University of Southern California ...... 5 Leone at the Ministry of Foreign agreement welcoming the Peace George Mason University ...... 4 Affairs in Freetown. Fedzer was Corps back to Sierra Leone,” said Kennesaw State University ...... 4 accompanied by Lynn Foden, Fedzer at the signing ceremony in Loma Linda University ...... 4 Peace Corps’ acting regional Freetown. “This ceremony is the University of Pennsylvania...... 4 director for Africa. culmination of the dedication of “We are delighted that the dozens of Americans and Sierra George Washington University ...... 3 government of Sierra Leone has Leoneans, including President University of Colorado Denver ...... 3 invited Peace Corps Volunteers Ernest Bai Koroma, U.S. State University of Missouri-Kansas City ...... 3 to return and work shoulder to Department and Peace Corps University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ...... 3 shoulder with the people of Sierra officials, and many former Peace Cornell University ...... 2 Leone,” said Peace Corps Direc- Corps Volunteers who continue Georgia College & State University ...... 2 tor Aaron S. Williams. “The part- to serve the people of Sierra Rutgers University ...... 2 nership between Peace Corps Leone long after their return to Xavier University...... 2 and Sierra Leone was established the United States.” Northern Arizona University...... 1 in the era of President Kennedy Peace Corps/Sierra Leone and it is an honor and a privilege was first established in 1962 University of Rochester ...... 1 for us to have the opportunity to when 37 Americans volunteered University of Wyoming ...... 1 work with the communities of to serve as secondary school Drew University ...... 0 Sierra Leone once again.” teachers. Since 1962, more than Humboldt State University ...... 0 The first group of approximately 3,400 Americans have served as Monmouth University ...... 0 40 Volunteers is scheduled to Peace Corps Volunteers in Sierra University of Alabama-Birmingham ...... 0 arrive in Sierra Leone in June, Leone. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point ...... 0 Wichita State University ...... 0

Total 512

Page 5 Seventh Annual Peace Corps Graduate School Fair Has International Audience

The seventh annual graduate school fair was held September 24 at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event drew over 100 people from as far away as Cameroon. More than half of the attendees were returned Volunteers. The fair, hosted by Fellows/USA and Master’s International, be- gan with an informative panel composed of both current and former students. Panel members included Alison Case from Carnegie Mellon Uni- versity, Andy Cruz from the University of Maryland–Baltimore County, Cameron Caswell from Johns Hopkins University, and Kristina Owens from Michigan Technological University. Following the panel, over 20 partner universities, from both Fellows/ USA and Master’s International, were present to speak with attendees and answer questions about their respective programs. RPCVs at Peace Corps Headquarters NCE: What Does it Mean to Me?

Peace Corps Volunteers are cedures that govern the use of tus. Peace Corps recommends So, Fellows, have your cake all too familiar with acronyms, NCE. that RPCVs apply to federal and eat it too! Make sure to and it’s understandable if you are The Peace Corps just hap- jobs during their last semester of take advantage of all the perks acronymed-out. But NCE might pens to be one of those excepted school in order to capitalize on all that come with being a returned just be an acronym worth learn- service agencies, but, luckily for remaining NCE. Peace Corps Volunteer. ing if you are a returned Volunteer you, it recently began accepting looking for a federal job. NCE from RPCVs. So, if you’ve NCE stands for noncompeti- considered applying to work for tive eligibility. As an RPCV who Peace Corps behind the scenes, Quick Facts: successfully completed Peace you’ve just been given a leg up on • NCE permits (but does not require) a competitive service Corps service, you were given the competition! agency to hire an RPCV who meets the minimum qualifica- NCE for one year from the date of NCE has further advantages tions for the position. your close of service. Essentially, for RPCVs. For starters, NCE al- • NCE allows RPCVs to compete for positions not available to NCE permits a federal competi- lows RPCVs to compete for posi- the general public. tive service agency to hire a NCE tions not available to the general • NCE can be extended for two years (a total of three years from candidate, such as an RPCV, who public. Of particular interest to the COS date) under certain situations (one of which is full-time meets the minimum qualifications Fellows, NCE can be extended enrollment at a recognized institution of higher learning). for the position, without going for an additional two years if, fol- through all of the procedures lowing your Peace Corps service, Helpful Websites: usually involved in hiring an em- you become a full-time student at NCE info for RPCVs ployee. an institution of higher learning. www.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/pdf/former/hotline/ It is important to understand This means, as long as an RPCV hotline051508.pdf that NCE does not require an doesn’t wait more than a year to agency to hire you, it just makes enroll in a Fellows/USA university, Major excepted service agencies it easier for them to do so. In and as long as their graduate www.usajobs.gov/EI6.asp addition, while NCE only applies program doesn’t exceed two to federal jobs, there are some years, they would be able to take General NCE info excepted service agencies that advantage of both the Fellows/ www.usajobs.gov/infocenter/howjobsgetfilled.asp don’t have to abide by the pro- USA program and their NCE sta-

Upcoming Events:

RVS Career Conference RPCVs with Noncompetitive Eligibility Hiring Event February 9–12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Peace Corps Headquarters March 19, 11:00am–4:00pm Register by February 4 at [email protected] CDC Atlanta, GA Register by February 5 at [email protected]

For More Information: 202.692.1430 [email protected] www.peacecorps.gov/rpcv/events

Page 6 Where Are They Now? Brian Goercke (RPCV/Zimbabwe, 1998-2001, Fellow/Duquesne University, 2004)

I’ve had many exciting and eventful experiences following my gradu- nongovernmental organization, NawaLife Trust. In this position, I ation from Duquesne University. monitored program indicators across 11 regions countrywide and From 2004-05, I served six months in Namibia as a Crisis Corps assisted in conducting and disseminating qualitative and quantitative Volunteer. Working with the Namibian Ministry of Education, I helped research. create a speaking program titled “Making it Real.” The program was More recently, I became associate Peace Corps director for Swa- composed of four HIV support groups, who visited and spoke with ziland. I look forward to working with an amazing collective of host secondary school students about living positively. country colleagues, as well as the dedicated Volunteers at this post! Following my service with the Ministry of Education, I worked as a program officer with Family Health International/Namibia to provide supervision and technical assistance to community-based organiza- Peace Corps tions across three regions of the country. This position provided me with valuable curriculum development and training experience. In 2006, I began working as monitoring and reporting officer for Response Launches the Johns Hopkins University/Health Communication Partnership field office in Namibia. This office later transitioned to a Namibian-registered New Website Peace Corps Response, formerly known as Crisis Corps, recently unveiled its new website. The redesigned Open Positions page makes it easier for qualified returned Peace Corps Volunteers to search for and apply to positions. New positions are added on a weekly basis, and a diverse array of assignments are offered. The Frequently Asked Questions page is a great resource for people who want to learn more about Peace Corps Response. Among the FAQs, you can find the answers to the most commonly asked ques- tions. Navigate to the Volunteer Stories page to hear firsthand experiences from past and present Peace Corps Response Volunteers. Be sure to check back often, as new stories are added on a regular basis. Lastly, if you would like to receive monthly updates about upcom- ing assignments, service stories, or other interesting facts about the program and the countries Volunteers work in, sign up for Impact, Peace Corps Response’s brand new e-newsletter. To subscribe, go Brian Goercke (standing) at a research dissemination meeting to www.peacecorps.gov/rpcv/info. in Namibia.

staring at so much food. We about, anchoring us in time and From the Fellows/USA tried to explain by talking about place, and adding chapters to pilgrims, American Indians, and our stories. Program Manager New World plants. This year, my wish for all of We also shared our memories you is that these winter holidays My all-time favorite Thanks- And so, with hope in my heart of Thanksgivings past, and in the bring you peace, joy, and con- giving happened the year I lived and cranberries on my mind, I telling of those stories, not only tentment. in Taiwan. set out on what would become did he begin to understand what Having lived in Asia before, an epic journey. I criss-crossed the holiday meant to us, we un- and having experienced the the city many times over a pe- derstood more deeply, too. feeling of being adrift in time due riod of many days, stalking an Holidays mean more than to the lack of familiar holidays elusive jar of pumpkin pie spice days off from work or school, cycling through the year, I knew in a German bakery, risking opportunities to have parties, that the creeping cold of winter frostbite in the freezer section or storming the mall in search had to be held back, for at least of a French grocery store for of the perfect gifts. Holidays one day, with turkey. a turkey, and cornering a bag are supposed to be shared with In China, a traditional Thanks- of marshmallows in a tiny Brit- family, whether it’s the one you giving feast could be had only at ish café. I also had to buy an were born with or the one you the poshest of Western-style oven. choose. Holidays need traditions, hotels. But in downtown Taipei, On the big day, I sat down at like sweet potatoes baked with I thought, “How hard could it be the dining room table with my marshmallows on top. to find the proper ingredients?” roommates and a few friends, Most of all, holidays should After all, the only Starbucks in one of whom was Taiwanese be celebrated for the richness the country was on the corner and had, at best, only the vagu- they bring to our lives—con- of my block! est idea as to why we were necting us with people we care Julie Driver

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