Times summer/fall 2006 Leaving One Foot at Home The artifact lays abandoned in a large one form of communication technology plastic box, a memory from the days of yore. over another. Once used regularly, Shan Shi no longer has Both Matthew and Shan just graduated need of it. The relic? A cellphone. from college, leading Shan to use more Shan, 23, and a Volunteer serving in economical means of communication. “My Turkmenistan, stowed away the techno- friends from home don’t call because they logical burden in favor of a more intimate are all recent graduates and poor like me,” form of communication: letters. “Especially she claims. However, with communication ones with stickers on the technology evolving, there front,” she adds. But Shan “Volunteers from the are more options than the presents just one side of sixties and seventies conventional phone call or the onslaught of new com- letter. munication technology just shake their heads Technology Volunteer preferences among Peace Lorena Hinojosa, 24, who Corps Volunteers looking and roll their eyes serves in Peru, has seen to stay in touch with family when we compare tremendous growth in and friends back home. the use of podcasting and Matthew Meyer, on the their communication blogging as new forms of other hand, is a fan of the experiences to mine.” communication. Both are cellphone. “Service in my unilaterally transmitted area is impeccable,” says the 23-year-old online: podcasts let Volunteers receive video Volunteer in Tanzania. To Matthew, phone information, such as news and sports clips, conversations are more personal because while blogs offer information for others to they provide an easier way to tell stories and view. According to Lorena, “It’s possible for “be caught up in life.” The case is different Volunteers who live in extremely rural sites for Shan, who feels closest to home when to come into town where there is Internet she’s able to touch the message that friends access, download hours of podcasts and and family will receive. It is the closest she then return to their sites to listen to the Photo by RYAn Brooks can come to human contact with them. programs.” Volunteer Nicole Voorhees stays connected in St. Vincent. Writing letters also gives Shan freedom Blogs allow Volunteers to “create a more Then Now to communicate where and when she wants. intimate connection with readers back home Whether in an open field or relaxing in her and is often considered therapeutic for & bedroom, the world is her computer, allow- some,” says Lorena. This is especially true ing communication without the hassle of for 65-year-old Volunteer Katrina Meredith, Bringing Back the World finding an Internet café. But sometimes whose blog is a gateway to her opinions and The experiences of Peace phones, I marvel at the difference circumstances force Volunteers to choose Continued on page 7 Corps Volunteers have changed in accessibility Volunteers have dramatically over the past 45 now,” says Lyn. “With instant years, but one of the most no- communications, Volunteers to- Communication ticeable changes has been in the day can have one foot at home and area of technology and commu- one foot in their host country.” Volunteer to Volunteer nications. From “snail mail” to Although the twins’ father, e-mail, the communications op- Doug, who served in Afghani- “Sometimes it’s worth sharing a reception and the coverage is continu- tions available to Volunteers have stan from 1967-70, worries that ‘Peace Corps moment’ with a friend,” Ken ously expanding to more isolated areas,” advanced greatly. too much of the new technology Loomis says. For that, the 24-year-old says Ken. That is good news for writ- For the Head family of will take away from Connie and Volunteer in Cameroon uses a cellphone. ing-inclined Volunteers who prefer text Wenatchee, Wash., these changes Lauren’s Peace Corps experiences, It is his preferred device of communica- messaging to its more expensive sibling: are especially obvious. When he is also grateful that this “new tion with fellow Volunteers, beating out the spoken word. parents Doug and Lyn served world offers cellphones, Internet Internet, satellite phones, and land-lines. Text messaging in Cameroon is in the Peace Corps in the 1960s, cafés and e-mail,” for continuous “The call or text message is comforting roughly equivalent to 9 cents (USD) per their only viable option to update communication between home at the end of a stressful day.” message. Compare that to the 36 cents friends and family was through and abroad. Lyn, a Volunteer in Ken, and others like him, use phones per minute it costs for a call, and you can letters mailed home, a process Malawi from 1969-71, shares her to set up meetings or give directions to see why Volunteers often prefer texting that could take weeks. Now that husband’s concerns, calling “the friends traveling through new territory. over lengthy conversations. twin daughters Lauren and Con- accessibility both a blessing and With the advancement of technology, “If I’m writing a text message, I can nie are serving in Nicaragua and a burden in some ways.” Despite Volunteers are not just able to stay closer write an entire letter,” Deborah Aparicio, Honduras, respectively, they are easing her worries as a parent, with friends and family, but also with 24, says. “Sometimes my text messages able to keep in touch with weekly she wonders if it can distract her each other. are so long that I don’t have room to type cellphone calls and e-mails. daughters and other Volunteers “All major cities [in Cameroon] have Continued on page 7 “Each time we get an e-mail from completely immersing. or talk with them on their cell- Continued on page 7 Page 2 BEHIND THE Volunteer IT Specialists: The Challenges of Keeping Connected

With the “Geek Squad” or that col- Another function of IT specialists lege roommate who seemed to know is to constantly research Internet con- everything about computers only a call nectivity options in the country. When away, it is easy to keep computers up a faster or cheaper choice becomes and running in the U.S. But what do available, the IT specialist can suggest you do thousands of miles away when a switch to a new provider. computer know-how is much harder Connectivity is best in countries to come by? like Mexico, South Africa and others Information technology special- in Central America and Eastern Eu- ists are responsible for maintaining rope. However, in other Peace Corps all Peace Corps-supplied systems and countries like those in the Pacific or staff computers at their posts. In addi- western Asia, Internet connectivity is tion, for every 25 Volunteers in a Peace often poor and unable to sustain the Corps country, there is one computer activities of the post. In these situ- workstation that these technicians ations, Peace Corps sets up satellite must also support. This creates a connections with generators to keep tremendous workload for one lone IT a post in contact with headquarters specialist. and the world. In Paraguay, IT Specialist Gustavo Besides these responsibilities, Draugelis describes his typical day as, Gustavo says he is often involved with well, busy. After arriving at the office Volunteers’ technical problems as well, Keeping IT systems up and running in developing countries is a challenge IT at about 8:30 a.m., Gustavo begins usually individual projects using tech- specialists like Erubey Calvo (center in red) know is a necessity for success. his daily routine of checking server nology. Because the cost of Internet logs, testing remote connections and connectivity in Paraguay is gradually it takes more and more time to fix devices than he does working with cleaning out junk e-mail. Throughout decreasing, more Volunteers have ac- everything that goes wrong. Peace Corps-related computer issues. the day, his office phone, cellphone and cess to technology, creating more work “Every minute spent on Volunteer “With a little research and knowledge e-mail boxes will continually remind for Gustavo. equipment is time taken away from we always manage to sort things out,” him that others need help. The biggest To save time, “we now have a Volun- my job, and I certainly do not have any he says. part of his job is assisting other staff in teer IT coordinator/leader who spends idle time, ever,” Gustavo says. “If it was Henry says working with staff to the office, training center or out in the more time directly involved with IT slower around here, I could certainly solve technical issues relating to com- field as they support Volunteers. projects,” Gustavo says. “These can in- help more.” puters, applications, communication “Assistance is a big part of my job,” clude computer learning centers, radio Gustavo says his working relation- devices and other similar problems he says. “And it is quite gratifying.” shows, and all the gamut of digital info ship with the local shops is excellent requires patience, “but I definitely try The majority of Gustavo’s work in such as tutorials, jingles, and more.” and they are relatively inexpensive, my best to get things done in time.” the office is focused on training staff In Panama, IT Specialist Erubey so he likes to send them business IT Specialists work at every post members on specific tasks, such as how Calvo sometimes finds it challenging anyway. to keep technology running smoothly. to use a certain program or find infor- to keep up with creative Volunteers. Kathy Arle, Chief of International Improvements and training keep them mation for reports. Examples include “Some come to me with ideas on how Technical Support at Peace Corps busy, but they also understand the VIDA, or Volunteer Information Data- to do a brochure or fix a computer in headquarters, says maintaining these need to be a resource and to be creative base Application, a complex program their communities without any techni- relationships is an important part of in countries where few others often vital to Peace Corps’ operations in a cal computer skills,” he says. “I try my the job description for IT support staff have technology know-how. post. The IT specialists must not only best to help them.” at Peace Corps posts. Without other Kathy describes the role of a post IT train staff members how to use this When Volunteers have problems IT specialists to rely on in-country, it is specialist as “one of the toughest jobs software, but maintain and support with their personal computers, often- necessary for the technicians to know at the post. They are acting alone and the program as well. Without VIDA, times Gustavo reviews their complaint local vendors and specialists. often the only person at the post with staff members would not have access and recommends they go to the nearest In Vanatu, IT Specialist Henry any IT knowledge. These IT specialists to important information about Volun- computer shop. As Volunteers arrive Vutinamoli spends more time solving are pivotal to keeping posts running on teers’ whereabouts and activities. in-country with more and more gear, problems involving communication a day-to-day basis.” Computers & Your Community: What You Need to Know

With constant and rapid changes Once a Volunteer writes the office and donors involved in matching gift remaining four projects continues on in technology happening all the time, with a proposal for Partnership fund- programs with their companies often the Web site. Volunteers can sometimes find it dif- ing, the proposal goes through an ap- make significant contributions. Unfortunately, Peace Corps can ficult to bring their sites up to speed. proval process before being posted to Recently, Peace Corps/Ukraine not pay the shipping fees for in-kind Computers are an important part of the Peace Corps Web site. On the Web received an in-kind gift of 15 laptop donations, so Volunteers or organiza- this process, but finding the means to site, donors can make cash contribu- computers from the Scott County tions must raise the funds by solicit- bring the technology to a Peace Corps tions to the fund, many of which are Government in Shakopee, Minn. A ing charitable groups or by finding site can often be challenging. tax-deductible, or agree to an in-kind resident of the county is currently other means, such as the Volunteer in This is where the Office of Private donation, meaning an organization serving in Ukraine. The computers Ukraine who had his parents bring the Sector Initiatives (OPSI) steps in to donates products as opposed to cash. were transported to Ukraine by the computers when they visited him. help secure donations for computers Many donations for computers, Volunteer’s parents where they will be The Office of Private Sector Ini- and software. With their Partnership software and other project materials used in a local school. tiatives will be releasing a handbook Program, OPSI provides funding for come from the Volunteer’s friends, In the past year, 12 computer lab in the near future to help Volunteers community-initiated projects being family or hometown groups. Other project proposals have been approved draft effective proposals for computers overseen by Volunteers serving around organizations that support efforts in a by OPSI. Of those, eight have already and other projects. the world. particular country may also contribute been fully funded. Fundraising for the www.peacecorps.gov/contribute Page 3

I have been greatly honored to remarkable contributions the Peace serve as the 16th director of the Corps has made both in America Peace Corps. Though I have enjoyed and throughout the world. the richness that public service has Over the years, we have achieved afforded me for over two decades great success in building on our of my life, I believe that my tenure strong legacy. Each of you have at the Peace Corps during the last contributed to the record of accom- 4-1/2 years has been the highlight plishments Peace Corps can talk of my public service career. about today, and I hope you are very The sense of personal reward proud to be serving at this historic and accomplishment, coupled with time for our nation. the opportunity to work with you I encourage you all to build on and all the staff, is unmatched. You our strengths, continue to grow, and represent the finest America has to ensure that Peace Corps remains offer, and I am proud to have been relevant. And remember that no one associated with your service and ever really leaves the Peace Corps, it commitment to promoting world is always with us. peace and friendship. During our anniversary year, Deputy Director highlights the successes of Director Vasquez during we have reflected on our legacy of his farewell at Peace Corps headquarters. service at home and abroad, and the Ron Tschetter Confirmed as Peace Corps’ 17th Director Ronald A. Tschetter was unani- ful to the United States Senate for their continuing the fine tradition of this 30 years, gaining strong management mously confirmed by the United confidence,” said Mr. Tschetter. “My great agency around the world.” and leadership skills throughout his States Senate as the 17th Director of wife and I served together as Peace Mr. Tschetter and his wife, Nancy, distinguished career. He also served on the Peace Corps on September 14. Mr. Corps Volunteers, and our experience served as Peace Corps Volunteers from the National Peace Corps Association Tschetter was nominated by President continues to inspire and affect every 1966-68 in as community health board from 1993-99, and chaired the George W. Bush on July 25, 2006. aspect of our lives today. I look forward workers. After returning home from board from 1995-98. Born in Huron, “I am honored by the trust Presi- to encouraging more Americans to India, Mr. Tschetter worked in the S.D., Mr. Tschetter has a degree from dent Bush has placed in me and grate- become Peace Corps Volunteers and financial securities industry for over Bethel College. READ THE RULES Peace Corps Policy on Technology Usage for Volunteers

Note: In 2001, Acting Peace Corps Disclaimer of service based on the material a Vol- products developed in connection with Director Charles Baquet III sent out an Any Web site maintained by a Vol- unteer posts to a Web site. Volunteer- Peace Corps service and/or financed official memo to help Volunteers and unteer during his or her Peace Corps posted material on the Web should by Peace Corps funds are considered staff understand their responsibili- service must reflect the fact that it is not embarrass or reflect poorly on the part of the public domain and may not ties in a technolgy-savvy world. Here not an official publication of the Peace Peace Corps or the countries where be copyrighted or used for personal are excerpts from that memo that still Corps or the U.S. Government. The Volunteers serve. gain. Volunteers should be advised that apply today: site, therefore, must be labeled clearly Safety and Security posting materials to the Web which Volunteers who create their own and prominently with an appropriate As a safety precaution, Volunteers they have not authored or created may Web sites, or post information to Web disclaimer such as: “The contents of are urged to omit from their Web sites violate U.S., host country, or other ap- sites that have been created and main- this Web site are mine personally and information about their precise living plicable copyright laws. tained by others, should be reminded do not reflect any position of the U.S. location or those of other Volunteers, Contributions to the Official Web Site that (unless password-protected) any Government or the Peace Corps.” as well as information about events The Office of Communications, information posted on the Internet can Use of the Peace Corps Logo to be attended by a large number of which oversees the Peace Corps’ offi- probably be accessed by the general Because use of the Peace Corps Volunteers. For example, Volunteers cial Web site, welcomes the submission public, even if that is not intended. logo is reserved for official activities who live in remote areas should use of essays, stories, and photographs Because search engines regularly index authorized by the Peace Corps Act, care before placing the name of their from Volunteers that will assist in most sites on the Internet, it is possible the logo cannot be used on Volunteer towns or villages on their Web site and, highlighting Peace Corps activities to that members of the public could locate Web sites. instead, should refer to the general prospective applicants and the gen- a Volunteer Web site by searching for Cultural Sensitivity area of the country where they live. eral public. All submissions should be information about the Peace Corps The thoughtful and accurate in- For their own protection, it is also reviewed by the country director and or a certain country. This is possible sights that Volunteers convey in their advisable not to provide information forwarded to the Office of Communi- even if the Volunteer does not actively communications with others can con- about Volunteers’ personal posses- cations for consideration. Volunteers promote his/her Web site. Given these tribute substantially to bringing to the sions. Volunteers should be aware of will also have the opportunity to locate realities, Volunteers are responsible for United States a better understanding the risk of identity fraud and other resources and share information with ensuring that their IT use is consistent of other countries. However, given the security concerns connected with the other Volunteers via a special section with the following guidelines: broad access to Volunteer-posted ma- posting of any personal information on the agency’s internal Web site and Notification terial on the Web, both in their country about themselves, family members and Peace Corps publications. Country Volunteers who create their own of service and elsewhere, Volunteers others on Web sites. directors are encouraged to broadly Web sites or post material to Web sites should remain culturally sensitive Publication Policies distribute this guidance, and any ap- created by others are responsible for with respect to the material they post Consistent with Peace Corps’ policy plicable country-specific guidelines, to discussing the content in advance with to any Web site. Volunteers should be regarding publications, Volunteers staff and Volunteers. Such information the country director to ensure that the reminded that people in their host may not accept payment for anything should be posted in appropriate areas material is suitable and complies with countries and members of the U.S. they write or photograph that appears such as in-country resource centers this general guidance as well as any public may make inferences about the on the Web. Articles, manuals, teach- or other facilities with Peace Corps- country-specific guidance. Peace Corps or the Volunteer’s country ing materials, and other work-related owned computer equipment. Page 4

Belize bers are living with HIV and seven are Biking Back caring for orphans. Notes If you are interested in building a Considering how much has changed tank/catchment pond in your commu- for Bridget Igoe since she first arrived nity, please contact The Peace Corps in Belize over two years ago as a Volun- Times for detailed instructions on how teer, she has been contemplating ways to construct one. to transition back into U.S. culture. So, instead of a five-hour plane trip from her Dangriga, Belize, site to the richest nation in the world, Bridget plans to “return home in the same way I came to know and love Belize—by bike.” For Bridget, bicycling has had a huge impact on her experience in Be- lize, allowing her to see the land and from the field meet people she never would have had the opportunity to interact with not been able to achieve economic suc- The main goal of the project is to otherwise. Bridget’s bicycle served cess. He has worked with youth on arts provide financial support for educa- many purposes for her: she was able and crafts projects and taught methods tion beyond Junior Secondary School. to travel to remote areas unreachable to increase income generation. Revenue from album sales will be used Kiribati by bus, deliver materials to a nearby to send the members of Zuer Zuk Kun- Boasting the Best village as part of her HIV/AIDS educa- Ghana kor to Senior Secondary School and tion program, and save money on bus Music and a Muse assist in sending one Senior Secondary In response to the Peace Corps fares when traveling around the region. School graduate to university. Any Times call for the most beautiful Prior to leaving Belize in July, Bridget remaining revenue will be placed in the places to serve, secondary education wrote: “My bike has allowed me to Tengzug Community Fund to be used Volunteer Sarah Larson claims she interact with my natural surroundings for future education and community- lives in paradise. Secluded, white in ways that provided me with a better selected projects. sand beaches stretch for miles on Beru understanding of the many different If you or those you know are inter- Island, her home in Kiribati. cultures of Belize.” ested in supporting the children of It is not your run-of-the-mill loca- Bridget finished her service in July Tengzug, while enjoying their vocal tion says Sarah: “The ocean water is and then began her 4,300 mile journey talents, you may purchase a CD (send turquoise and is quite inviting on a hot home to Portland, Ore. She expects $20 + $1.95 for shipping) through the afternoon for swimming and snorkeling. the trip to take about three or four following address: The Voice in the Coconut trees tower above to quench months, at which time she will begin Hills, c/o Stephenson’s, 811 West 1175, your thirst. This is a place where old looking into graduate school. South Woods Cross, UT, USA 84087 traditions and customs have stood A PCV-CD is not a Volunteer who the test of time, where one is always Ecuador has become country director, rather, Kenya greeted with a Mauri (hello) and a smile There’s No ‘I’ in Bakery it’s a compact disc made by a Volun- When It Rains... and where no one goes hungry and ev- teer. Zuer Zuk Kunkor is the band’s eryone looks out for one another. This name, which was created by Volunteer Lucia Mainga recently saved 450 is a place where there are no guns or Tonya Stephenson and a group of kids Kenyan shillings in a month simply war and where life is peaceful.” from her Ghanan village. In June 2005, because she now has a pond. Working Kiribati is located north of Fiji, right after playing music informally at a local with Volunteer Tina Storck, people like on the equator. Its isolation creates a school in the evenings, Tonya found a Lucia are using man-made catchment sense of timelessness, but also makes small group of dedicated children who ponds to earn a profit. By eliminating travel to and from it quite difficult. The wanted to join in the music. By August, the need to be in proximity of a body country is composed of 33 atolls, only she had 15 members: five girls and 10 of water, these ponds provide close-to- 18 of which are inhabited. boys, ages 12-16. The name Zuer Zuk home irrigation needs. But being able to live in one of them Kunkor means The Voice in the Hills. Women & Children’s Alternative is Sarah’s dream. “I have fallen in love The group decided to record and Lives (WACAL), based in Makindu, with this place and am pretty sure that Youth and families Volunteer Kade- wrote songs during a nine-month pe- Kenya, has helped 19 members de- my two years of service will come to an on Tomas currently works in Guayaquil, riod wherein they would practice up velop sustainable food and water end before I am ready to leave.” a key commercial district of Ecuador. to six days a week. They prepared a security by constructing catchment Along with Foundation Crecer, Kadeon full-length CD consisting of 10 songs ponds that hold up to 12,000 liters of and 15 young men and women have in Talen (local language of Tengzug), water. “Members have water at home developed a bakery project in which Frafra (northern Ghana), Zulu (South instead of fetching it from the river or the youth not only produce delicious Africa), and English. Two of the songs buying it,” said Janet Kithome, WACAL bread and pastries, but also engage are arrangements and the remaining coordinator. “Not to mention the water in personal development activities eight are original pieces. is salt-free and cleaner than most water like responsibility, leadership, and The choir members took respon- obtained locally in Makindu.” teamwork. The bakery has attracted sibility for the success of the entire Water from the ponds is used to ir- clients throughout Guayaquil, enabling project, from organizing rehearsals to rigate so-called kitchen gardens where Kadeon to continue the project and performing at community events to traditional local vegetables are har- financially recognize the youth. fundraising for the recording trip to Ac- vested. Some are sold in local markets Kadeon also works in Afro-Ecua- cra. Participating youth showed drastic as a source of sustainable income. dorian barrios in the south of the city. improvement in their self-confidence. For Lucia, the extra money helps Migration has brought many Afro-Ec- They have learned to work together, to pay for her HIV medicine and tuition uadorians to Guayaquil, but many have set goals, and to follow through. for her four children. Six of the mem- Page 5

Evangeline urged villagers to plant their own New Collaborations Strengthen gardens on their small plots of land next to their Peace Corps’ Mission homes. She taught them to use a sewing machine; The Peace Corps has recently signed two inter- to build smokeless chulas (stoves) out of dung, national agreements to further the agency’s mission agency water and mud; and to make “soak pits” which and broaden the range of programs in countries drained their unpaved streets. In addition, Evan- around the world. geline worked with a Rotarian friend in the U.S. In May, the Peace Corps announced a newly of- to collect money to buy supplies and books for the ficial partnership with the German Development news village schoolchildren. She said her biggest accom- Service (Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst or DED). plishment in the Peace Corps was working with The agreement will enable American and German pursuit of service to others. She was the assistant children and women, and helping the villagers make Volunteers—who have a long history of working secretary of state for African Affairs for the State soak pits. From an outsider’s perspective, however, together in informal ways at posts ranging from Department and also served at the U.S. Agency Evangeline’s largest accomplishment may have been the Philippines to Peru—to officially join forces on for International Development (USAID) as assis- that, at 62, she was a pioneer: traveling as an older a wide variety of projects, working with local com- tant administrator for Africa. Prior to her work at Volunteer to the other side of the world. munities to achieve sustainable development. USAID, Newman served as undersecretary of the A year and three months into their Peace Corps On June 13, then Peace Corps Director Gaddi Smithsonian Institution. service, her husband contracted meningitis and H. Vasquez signed an agreement with Mexico’s died. At that point, she could have easily given Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources up and returned to the U.S., but after a short trip (SEMARNAT) that will significantly broaden the home, she went back to India to fulfill the service range of Peace Corps’ current technical coop- and commitment they had begun together. She eration program in Mexico. The Peace Corps has has not returned since, but admitted she would been involved in Mexico since late 2004, and this consider it. understanding will expand the program into the At 100 years old and still passionate about the areas of environmental protection and ecosystem world around her and its various cultures, Evan- preservation. geline believes the Peace Corps is certainly still relevant today, and said she absolutely would rec- 1,000th Crisis Corps Volunteer ommend volunteering to other people. Begins Her Service As Crisis Corps celebrated its 10th anniversary in June, Michelle Cheltenham of Taylor, Mich., became the 1,000th Crisis Corps Volunteer sent Peace Corps Fellows/USA and into service. Cheltenham, 31, is spending the next Master’s International Expand six months in El Salvador, serving as a disaster Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will soon be preparedness specialist. assisting new communities in Georgia, Missouri Prior to her Crisis Corps service, Michelle served and California, as the Peace Corps Fellows/USA as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Grenada from 1998 program has announced partnerships with uni- -2000 working in education projects for both math- versities in each of these states. The schools that ematics and community health. During her service, have started new programs include Georgia College she was selected by the Peace Corps staff to serve as & State University, the University of Missouri-Co- a Volunteer leader and was tasked with developing lumbia, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and parts of the emergency action plan for several of Humboldt State University. the islands in the Caribbean. The position offered Fellows/USA enables returned Volunteers to the opportunity to organize disaster preparedness pursue graduate degrees at reduced cost while aid- trainings for new Peace Corps Volunteers. ing underserved U.S. communities through intern- Since the Crisis Corps’ inception in 1996, Volun- ships. The program has established partnerships teers have served in 42 countries around the world, with more than 40 universities nationwide. including the U.S. In addition, Michigan State University and Ap- New HIV/AIDS Video Available palachian State University are the newest Peace The Peace Corps recently produced a short Franklin H. Williams Awards Corps Master’s International university partners, video highlighting Volunteers’ HIV/AIDS efforts in Ceremony Honors Outstanding working to train graduate students as Volunteers Botswana, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Paraguay, Community Leaders of Color in scarce skills areas. South Africa, and Ukraine. Eleven returned Peace Corps Volunteers who Master’s International, one of the Peace Corps’ Turning Hope into Action: the Peace Corps Re- have made careers of giving back to their communi- domestic programs, enables individuals to pursue sponse to the HIV/AIDS Crisis not only captures ties were awarded the Franklin H. Williams Award graduate degrees while serving in the Peace Corps. the diversity of Volunteers’ HIV/AIDS activities, at a ceremony at Peace Corps headquarters. The program has established partnerships with 50 but also demonstrates the significant role the Established in 1999, the Franklin H. Williams universities nationwide. Peace Corps plays in the worldwide effort against Award honors returned Peace Corps Volunteers of HIV/AIDS. color who continue the Peace Corps mission through Oldest Known Returned Peace The agency’s ability to respond to HIV/AIDS their commitment to community service and who Corps Volunteer Turns 100 has been considerably strengthened during the past support the agency’s third goal of promoting a bet- When Evangeline Shuler, born in 1906 and who three years through additional funding from the ter understanding of other peoples on the part of served in the 1960s, arrived at a recent 45th anni- President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The Americans. The award assumes the name of former versary event for the Peace Corps, it seemed almost Emergency Plan is a five-year, $15 billion, multifac- Peace Corps regional director for Africa and U.S. everyone in the room wanted to hear her stories. eted initiative that combats HIV/AIDS in more than ambassador to Ghana, Franklin H. Williams. Am- Evangeline, of Seattle, turned 100 on June 4, 120 countries around the world. Since 2004, the bassador Williams was instrumental in assisting and while the Peace Corps does not uniformly Emergency Plan has awarded the Peace Corps more the first Peace Corps director, , in collect statistics on Volunteers once they leave ser- than $14 million, which has provided placement of advancing the agency’s mission across the globe. vice, she is the oldest known returned Peace Corps additional Peace Corps and Crisis Corps Volunteers, In addition to the 11 award winners, the Peace Volunteer. enhanced programming and technical training Corps gave special recognition to Constance Berry Unlike most of today’s pre-arranged Peace Corps around HIV/AIDS, and funded establishment of Newman, special counsel for African affairs at the assignments, at her post in Maharashtra State the the new Peace Corps Office of AIDS Relief. Carmen Group, a Washington-based government Indian government had given Volunteers the option The video will be distributed to all Peace Corps relations firm. Newman served as the evening’s to essentially do whatever it was that the villagers posts and recruiting offices. The video is also avail- keynote speaker and was honored for her continued needed. able on the Peace Corps Web site. Page 6

grew. Now it is quite a tourist trap with Devotions lots of bars, hotels and resorts. The Posted by Caitlin and Khaled | What Volunteers beach got pretty polluted, but it is still June 13, 2006 quite nice. Pattaya now has a reputa- Here we are at June quarterly tion for its sex industry. Specifically, meetings. Khaled said, “why am I al- old white men come to pick up young ways wearing that shirt in pictures?” Thai girls. Regardless, the reason we That’s because when you are in the went to Pattaya is to sell fruit. Peace Corps you don’t have money to If you think it is kind of surprising buy new shirts. that I was selling fruit, you should have http://yayajamaica.blogspot.com/ seen how surprised the Thais were. Re- member, this is a tourist town. White Unexpected Guest people don’t come here to sell fruit, Posted by Nam LaMore | they come here to do other things. So March 20, 2006 I had a good time attracting people to The host family insisted I come to Mu’s stand. They were even more sur- the stairwell to see what was going on. prised when I could speak Thai and tell I was asked to bring my camera. them that our fruit was the sweetest My thought, half whispering, to and cheapest at the market. myself: “Oh great, another relative has ARE SAYING http://www.aglimpseintotravels. stopped by for a visit and they want blogspot.com/ me to take pictures. I don’t have time for this!” them what we want for our permanent Until just this past weekend, my A Quick Note I left my work to see what was placement for the next two years, and laptop was randomly and routinely Posted by Alyssa | August 3, 2006 up and, to my surprise, it was not a they do their best to not laugh at us crashing. It especially crashed when- Well, I just finished up an AWE- visiting relative. The host brother had when we ask for unreasonable things. I ever I would try to use the mail appli- SOME online training course in gen- brought home an owl. It does not take don’t think they will give me my Black cation. This made it very difficult (and der and development with people from the cunning mind of Sherlock Holmes Sea-side resort town, with a private very frustrating) to send e-mail. across Africa and in DC. Man, the In- to figure out what happened next. See- driver, but I guess I had to ask. Seri- Somehow, I stumbled upon a great ternet is soooo cool!!! I’m serious. We ing owl feathers all over the rooftop, ously, I hope that I am able to just get piece of Mac software called “Carbon were chatting in real time with people I realized that the owl had, indeed, somewhere that is relatively urban and Copy Cloner” produced by Mike Bom- all over this HUGE continent. become the dinner for that evening. has people that I can actually relate bich. The wonderful application is do- http://a-gypsy-soul.livejournal.com/ We had owl tajine that night. If you to. We’ll see. nation-ware. That means you can use did not know already, then I’ll tell you http://backafterlunch.blogspot.com/ it for free, and if you like it, you should Catching Up that owl is gamey and does not taste donate money to the developer. Posted by Jill | June 12, 2006 like chicken at all. My Mac is Back! http://jsbigadventure.blogspot.com/ So much has happened in the past http://nlamore.blogspot.com/ Posted by Jays Phat Mac | month or so since I have managed to June 14, 2006 Standards Deviation produce an entry that I hardly know Site Placement The environment here in Namibia Posted by Yuta | March 7, 2006 where to begin. Time is flying by now, Posted by Isaac | April 7, 2006 is very tough on computers: extreme I know that it is obvious that one and is marked by milestones such Things are [going] well here. I am heat, dust, extreme heat, dust, and dollar will go a lot further in [Geor- as the first camp of the summer, the in the big city right now, Nizhen. They more dust. Most of the Volunteers in gia] than any developed country, arrival of the A14s (the new group of even have a traffic light here. And fast my Peace Corps group with laptops are but a recent event has changed my Volunteers in Armenia) and the be- Internet. We had our site placement experiencing one or more significant perspective of the purchasing power ginning of the departure of the A12s. interviews last week, where we tell problems with their laptop. of a dollar. You may be wondering if I It is hard for me to believe that I have recently experienced living through an already been here a full year. It seems economic depression, or perhaps you like so long ago that we stepped off Staying Connected are wondering that having experienced that plane and met a mass of cheering severe gas shortages in the middle of Volunteers and staff members, and yet winter, an earthquake, and recent bird it seems like just yesterday, I remember flu scare (none of which has directly it so clearly. Now suddenly I am a part How often do you have affected me) that I have reevaluated of that mass, and have knowledge and 67% my American way of life to appreciate wisdom to offer the next generation. In access to internet at the value of a dollar. Not so, my friends. some ways it is difficult to let go of our Your work site? I have recently stumbled upon a bur- status as “the new Volunteers” and in 13% geoning and happening store in Tbilisi other ways it is a refreshing reminder 11% called, what else, the Dollar Store. This of just how far we have come in such a 9% store has made me appreciate the pur- relatively short period of time... chasing power of a dollar, and also to ...On my way out I was asked if realize that expired food is not, really, Peace Corps would be back next year expired at all! to do this camp again. I deferred to the http://yutaisgone.blogspot.com/ local organization we were working Always Usually Sometimes Never with, which happens to be doing its Bag It, Tag It, Sell It first camp on its own later this sum- Posted by Mark | June 19, 2006 mer (this was the second camp it had Thought I would let you all know done with Peace Corps). Our goal is about a little road trip I did the other training every organization we work day with my buddy, Mu, and his family. with to be as self-sufficient as this one We went to a town called Pattaya. Pat- and to be able to do camps without our taya is a party town right on the beach. assistance in the future. The woman It is said to have its roots back in the who was asking sort of shrugged and days of the Vietnam war. U.S. troops said, “we want the Americans to come started coming down to party on the back.” It is nice to be wanted. Source: 2004 Peace Corps Volunteer Survey Global Report beautiful beaches, and its reputation http://jillisapc.blogspot.com Page 7 One Foot at Home, Cont’d. States because she wants to stay more ing Skype and will occasionally borrow phone, e-mails, or blogs. And for Shan, involved in her community. “Most a webcam to see familiar faces while well, she’ll have to wait a little longer experiences, through which approxi- things can wait for two years,” she adds she talks. Katrina has a television in to dig out her “old” cellphone, but that mately 175 family, friends, and former in the hopes of cutting down on e-mail her room and communicates back to does not stop her from going to the city colleagues can travel. She even posts checking. the States on a daily basis by Yahoo to use the Internet once a week. links to Macedonian media for others Others, like Lorena, believe that to gain a better understanding of the communication technology “has world in which she lives. helped Volunteers become better and Katrina admits that communica- more dedicated because they have tion technology has had a significant family and friends at home encourag- impact on the Peace Corps experience. ing them and giving them ideas to She is in the unique position to have serve their communities in the best had friends who served when the Peace way possible.” Corps was in its earliest stages and “The addition of communication didn’t have access to e-mail, blogs, or technology is really only another way Skype. “My peers who were Volunteers to isolate or integrate,” in Katrina’s in the sixties and seventies just shake opinion. By no means should staying their heads and roll their eyes when we in touch with home equate to distanc- compare their communication experi- ing oneself from the Volunteer’s site. ences to mine,” she says. Anything, from family photos to a Red For Shan, who grew up with all of Sox recap, could draw one’s attention the technologies she has been forced away from their present situation. to relinquish, limited access to e-mail Matthew agrees that the level of and phone service almost entirely iso- cultural immersion depends on the lates her from the outside world. But Volunteer, not technology. He lives if you think she would have it another comfortably in a three-bedroom way, then you are getting the wrong house with views of the Indian Ocean message. and cellphone service that surpasses “Coming into the city to use In- his parents’ service in Vermont. He ternet and hanging out with other doesn’t communicate back to the Volunteers is great and sometimes an States regularly because, as he says, Tech Savvy: absolute necessity,” she says, “but this “My home is Lindi, Tanzania.” While challenges is still time away from site and it takes Unlike his father, who served in The exist, Volunteers away from the full [cultural] immer- Gambia from 1967-69, Matthew has find a way to stay sion.” Shan has learned to live with had more than two phone calls from infrequent conversation back to the home. Lorena speaks to her mother us- connected A b ove : Vo l u n t e e r PCV to PCV, Cont’d. days when Volunteers could only be N i c o l e Vo o r h e e s contacted by a well-timed land-line intrigues students in anymore.” phone call or the sending of a Peace St. Vincent with her Deborah is easily annoyed by ver- Corps vehicle. laptop. Photo by Ryan bose conversationalists who use up all Communication technology also Brooks of her phone credit. In The Gambia, has advantages on a number of other Left: Volunteer Josh- where she is serving, a text message levels, including safety. Cellphone ua Wilcox, serving costs 4 cents (USD). No wonder she networks give Volunteers the ability i n M o z a m b i q u e , chooses to text when every minute she to make a call in an emergency, to demonstrates just spends talking subtracts up to three another Volunteer or even to request how connected some minutes from her phone card. medical services. For, while the emo- Vo l u n t e e r s r e a l l y No matter how you price it, com- tional support of a quick phone call is are. Photo by Bern munication technology has changed nice, the possibility of physical support Moorehead the way Peace Corps Volunteers reach is extremely comforting. their goals. Cellphones and Internet For the most part, Volunteer- Then & Now, Cont’d. allow collaboration among Volunteers to-Volunteer communication still Peace Corps on a multitude of projects, like share- revolves around sharing experiences, Lauren and Connie agree that ing eachother’s expertise, which makes giving advice, or planning rendezvous. the new technologies help them, Times for more polished results. The cellphone dominates as the pre- both with their service and with A publication for Peace Corps “Cell phones and Internet con- ferred means of communication, as communicating with friends and Volunteers serving worldwide nections have certainly improved our Volunteers are privy to serve in an age family in the U.S. Connie says she network of professional resources to when more and more remote sites are feels lucky to have Internet and cell- Nathan Arnold Editor work with,” Ken adds. Using Yahoo providing coverage. This gives almost phone access in her site to maintain Courtney Romain Writer and Google e-mail accounts, Peace everyone a chance to share frustrations constant communication. Craig Schattner Writer/Designer Corps administration can effectively and success stories or, as Deborah says, Lauren notes that, “it has been reach Volunteers within a reasonable make “our lives away from home and great to be able to call Connie so Do you have something amount of time. It isn’t like the old loved ones more manageable.” easily, but it’s also pretty expensive. to share with us? Buying phone cards has definitely done some damage to my stipend!” We welcome all Volunteer August 1966 Although Lauren’s site does not submissions or suggestions. From the Peace Corps Times: A Peace Corps computer has a crush on trainee have the same level of access as Inquiries may be made to: Patricia Gallagher. It got stuck on her name and recorded it 350 times on Connie’s site, both feel fortunate Peace Corps Times the tape. As a result, her father in Philadelphia was our favorite subscriber that they are able to communicate c/o Press Office often, either though letters, e-mail, 1111 20th St NW (and his mailman our least sympathetic one) during May, when he received Washington DC 20526 350 copies of “The Volunteer.” He graciously returned 349 copies. “I worry or cellphone calls. or about all those people who didn’t receive their magazines,” he said. “We make it work when we can,” [email protected] says Connie. Back Page In Peru, Podcasting and Googling Bring Answers

of knowledge, for them, were very to send each file normally via e-mail to many types of training, and there is important. Many of them had health our network administrator to load the great impact when you give knowl- questions concerning themselves and files and create a web addresses from edge. Training diffuses down to the their children. With the Internet, those which they could be downloaded. The lowest levels, and after a while a lot of questions were answered through ac- project was a test, and ended with people have some knowledge. cess of official health Web sites. positive results and hopefully they will Being an technology Volunteer By helping these women and girls, I continue to test the ability in other plays a small role in development as a Volunteer Life was able to make a small difference. I countries. whole, but it also plays a very power- By Lorena Hinojosa had shown them how they could learn A technology Volunteer can do ful role. more, on their own, and how they I work in Cajamarca, Peru. It is could apply this technology to answer a city with a population of 80,000. other questions they might have. My time here has been occupied with Also this past year my NGO asked trying to find both new and tradi- me to assist with a podcasting project. tional ways of introducing Peru to It was a pilot project to see whether the technological advances of the 21st podcasting was a viable means of com- century. munication to rural areas. The project The surrounding districts here lasted six months. I was in charge of have about double the population. In investigating free software to create the most remote areas of Cajamarca, the audio podcasts, software to upload you might find a satellite dish that con- the podcast, and finally methods of nects a small village to the Internet. downloading and playing the finished Practical Solutions, a UK-based non- product. governmental organization through A common misconception that which I work, has the goal to assist should be pointed out is this: that to certain rural areas to create “InfoCen- listen to podcasts one needs an ipod. ters.” In Cajamarca, an InfoCenter is This is not true. Podcasts are just audio described as a location that provides mp3 files that can be downloaded and information, by means of telephone disseminated in various forms. The services, technology and Internet mp3 files can be copied to CDs and dis- services. My work requires that I help tributed as such, or local radio stations in training the people that staff these can broadcast the mp3 files, turning InfoCenters located all around the them into a radio program. province of Cajamarca. I have investigated and learned As an example of the impact of this about the freeware necessary to create type of training, another local NGO in a show. I assisted in creating a manual cooperation with my NGO provided in Spanish that covers the use of these young mothers with a two-month programs. I taught my counterparts training course on what the Internet and later the administrators from is and how to use e-mail, Word, and three InfoCenters. Excel. We also helped these women The administrators learned the and girls learn how to use Google as a basics of how to create a podcast. How- tool for finding information that could ever we did have problems uploading help in their everyday lives. These bits the audio mp3 files. Therefore, we had Lorena works with a group of students in her community. In Bulgaria, Introducing Internet Presents Challenges

first, my director was convinced that tion in Bulgaria. The tourism center, realized we needed to do something to there was no way of getting Internet the municipality, and local business get the people to come back and install into the small village due to problems have all agreed that Internet would Internet in the school. We traveled with the cable lines. I figured she was greatly benefit their small community. to their office and confronted them right, and left the issue alone for a few Therefore, technology plays a very face-to-face. Currently, they have a months. The lack of internet access important role. With this in mind, I tentative date to put it in, but as I write Volunteer Life was a nice distraction from the outside began my search. this, there is no Internet access for the world. However, soon the teachers We found a local satellite company public in the community. By Sarah Braddock and I agreed, there had to be a way to that installs internet for a fairly rea- Implementing this type of project Technology, while serving as a bring Internet into this community, sonable price. After waiting a month into our community, especially a small Volunteer in Bulgaria, is practically as the kids could truly benefit from to get an appointment, they came to mountain village, has been difficult, a necessity. this access. the school and offered to put in a sat- but not impossible. Patience is key I live in a small, beautiful village of To provide some background, the ellite for free, but not until the snow with any project, but I have found 250 people in the Rhodope Mountains, town where I serve is situated seven melted. So, we waited until May for that persistence with people—and where I work in a boarding school for kilometers from one of the largest and the snow to melt. However, when the more important the Internet com- truants. The school draws children most popular ski resorts in Bulgaria: company finally came, instead of in- pany—have proven to be helpful. ages 7-18 from all over Bulgaria, many Pamporovo. Due to the proximity of stalling the satellite on the school, they Keep a smile on your face and of whom are minorities. The school is this resort, hotels and guesthouses in put it up on the mayor’s office, which make sure your community sees your equipped with a wonderful new com- my host community have been expand- services one computer, inaccessible to enthusiasm, because it will keep their puter lab. However when I arrived in ing along with the tourism industry the community and the kids. spirits high, and one day soon, I am October 2005, there was absolutely in general. Internet access is vital for After daily phone calls to the sat- sure we will have full Internet cover- no internet access in the town. At this area to become a tourist destina- ellite company, my counterpart and I age even here.