PC Connection
Autumn for AARPCV
by Suzanne Marks, AARPCV President
Autumn, normally a time for slowing down from the redhot days of steamy Hotlanta and preparing for the blue icecold days of winter, sends AARPCV into a frenzy of activity. Forget the greenbrown days of lolling among fallen leaves or the burntorange sunsets enjoyed by the beach, there are Hands on Atlanta Days, AIDS Walks, Fundraisers, and Holiday parties tothink of. What happened to the Tao of Pooh?!!
Hands On Atlanta Day kicked us into fall with yard and neighborhood cleanup in Southwest Atlanta. There were 22 of us who met early (I mean earlier than I get up for work) in the Adair Park section of SW the morning of October 2. After HOA equipped us with disposable tools (there was a high casualty rate among the clippers and hedge snippers), we were divided among three houses. After restraining Bob Gerzoff from leveling the entire backyard of the house where we were stationed (women are the only humans who should control power tools), we went about our tasks of determining a weed from a rose bush, tackling a stray 1947 newspaper lodged on the roof, and utilizing amazing powers of will with recalcitrant wines (no, I'm sorry, those are the parties that Judy Mahoney organizes), I mean vines.
Realization that the boarded up crack house next door might have a bigger influence on whether this elderly resident would be able to enjoy her new access to sun and ground, where once there was jungle, only flitted into our thoughts once or twice. The truly dedicated, or truly deadicated, among us joined for free food, music, and relaxation at Centennial Park as we listened to the words of the someday to be president General Colin Powell talk about volunteerism as the savior of America.
AIDSWALK Atlanta on October 17 induced 20 of us to tromp, march, and meander through 6.2 miles of backstreets surrounding Piedmont Park as we raised nearly $1,300 for organizations providing services to people with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta. Big money raisers this year were: David Gittelman, JoDe Walp, and Chris Allen. We joined more than 15,000 people in the largest AIDSWALK Atlanta ever that raised a total of $1.5 million. Adrienne Fagler lost, found, lost, and finally found her daughters again along the walk. The wonderfully talkative, non-RPCV friend of an RPCV to whom I gave the (truly) disposable camera to document our journey, has not been seen since, nor has the camera. (If anyone knows of this woman or the whereabouts of the camera, please contact me). I finally found the pictures of last year's AIDSWALK on some film in my closet last month. (See team photo from this year).
The arrival of Joseph Permetti, Director of Domestic Programs for Peace Corps, and Shanta Swezy, Editor/Writer for the Office of Returned Volunteer Services (Virginia's sister) inflicted a whirlwind of collaborative activities on AARPCV October 21 and 22. First was a meeting with CDC representatives at the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention to talk about the need for reinstating a formal relationship between the agencies and about the benefits to be gained by RPCVs and CDC through collaboration. Informal collaboration already exists between individual divisions, such as Polio Eradication, and individual Peace Corps countries, but we want things to be bigger and better, so that Peace Corps and CDC can take over the world (oops, sorry, I've been watching 15 days of James Bond on the Turner station). Next, was lunch collaboration at Lawrence's Café (great falafel). Then, meet the Washington, DC experts for an update on Peace Corps activities at Sylvia's (soulfood, some of us had the fish) Restaurant downtown-about 20 AARPCVs attended. The final collaborative activity was set for 8 am on Friday morning to talk about recruitment of RPCVs to work for CDC. After all this collaboration, I needed to stop collaborating to keep my job.
Fundraising activities are head butting us into the next millenium. My great idea to avoid the hassle of organizing a holiday fundraising party-Millenium International Calendar Sales. We ordered 500 this year, since we easily sold 300 last year. Now, I'm organizing distribution and money collection from say 20 people. So far, it's a success-we only have about 100 left, which we plan to bring to the holiday party.
Millenium Holiday Party hauls us to Sacred Grounds (literally and figuratively) on December 11. As my ultimate way of avoiding a potluck (since I've run out of rice and bean recipes), I've arranged for our annual holiday gathering to be at Sacred Grounds in East Atlanta. No alcohol at this event (sorry to Judy's crowd), but caffeine or sugar for the partakers.
It's a nice place, run by a wonderful owner. Our speakers, Harriet Kuhr and Chip Carter will talk about the Friendship Force, an apropos topic for the holidays.
So, as the rustling of leaves brings the bustling of RPCVs and hustling of calendars, winter promises elections and a new president, as this one is worn out.
Welcome to The Friendship Force!
by Harriet Kuhr
The Friendship Force is an international citizen exchange program active in more than 350 communities in 55 countries around the world. Founded in 1977, the organization was launched with the support of President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter. Rosalynn Carter has continued throughout the organization’s history as its Honorary Chairperson and Chip Carter works as its Vice President for International Development. The Friendship Force’s goal is to create an environment in which people from different countries can meet each other as friends. The way this is done is through a program of short-term homestays. The typical Friendship Force exchange lasts from one to three weeks, and includes one or two weeklong homestays. Friendship Force participants, or “Ambassadors,” travel in groups to a host community, then are accommodated singly or in pairs with local families.
The wonderful thing about Friendship Force exchanges is that they are open to people of all ages. When most people think of international exchange, they think of student exchanges. Most Friendship Force Ambassadors are adults, although participants of all ages and even family groups are welcome. And if you are not in a position to travel, you can also participate as a host family to an international visitor.
The Friendship Force offers a variety of programs to many different countries. Professional and special interest exchanges can also be arranged, such as exchanges for teachers, medical professionals, gardeners, or even land surveyors! This allows participants not only to learn how their profession is practiced in another country, but also to make friends with colleagues who practice the same profession or hobby.
For those of us who have lived and worked overseas, traveling abroad as just another tourist can seem rather empty. The Friendship Force can be the perfect solution permitting not only a journey to another country, but also the opportunity to see how people in the host community live on a daily basis and to meet them on a personal level. Whether you choose to participate as an Ambassador or a Host, please join The Friendship Force as we strive to show that “A World of Friends is a World of Peace.”
For more information, contact The Friendship Force, 34 Peachtree St., Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30303. Telephone 404-522-9490.
Volunteer Opportunities
Newcomers' Network is looking for volunteers to serve as tutors in a One-to-One Tutoring Project. This project matches individual volunteers with refugee students who need help learning English. Interested volunteers are asked to commit to tutoring one night per week from January to June (one school semester). All tutoring will take place in Clarkston at the Newcomers' Network Activity Center. Volunteers may choose either Tuesday or Thursday night. Sessions are from 6:30 PM to 8:15 PM. Please contact Mark (404) 508-9226.
Peace Corps Day 2000
Start thinking now about your participation in Peace Corps Day 2000! While March 7 is a few months away, planning is already underway to involve as many RPCVs as possible. On Peace Corps Day, RPCVs share their Peace Corps experiences with students in local schools. This annual event will celebrate the 39th anniversary of Peace Corps' inception. AARPCV needs a coordinator for this event. Please contact Suzanne Marks if you are interested.
Crisis Corps
The Crisis Corps Needs Spanish Speaking RPCVs. Assignments are available immediately in Honduras and Nicaragua. Requirements include at least 2 years of work experience in Latin America, in addition to strong Spanish language skills. Most assignments require a minimum of three months commitment. However, carpentry skills are needed for terms as short as four weeks. Types of positions include construction, social work/counseling, agribusiness, water/sanitation. In addition to an application, volunteers must be medically and legally cleared for service (which takes about one month). To obtain an application, call PC headquarters at 800-424-8580 (ext. 2250).
News From Washington
President Clinton names Mark L. Schneider (RPCV, El Salvador) as Peace Corps Director to replace former director Mark Gearan. Mr. Schneider is currentlly the Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean at the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Prior to
USAID, he worked at the Pan American Health Organization as Chief of the Office of Analysis and Strategic Planning. In the past, he also served as Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Rights at the State Department. Mr. Schneider received his BA from University of California-Berkeley and his MA from San Jose University. The nomination now goes to the Senate for confirmation.
Thanks Received
AARPCV received this note from Mary Carter Whitten of Grady High School: Thank you for your contribution of $40 to fund the mailing of teacher texts to South Africa. I know the teachers in Lockeil will be grateful for the supplies and that the children will benefit as a result. Your continued commitment to the mission of the Peace Corps is commendable.
Thanks Received from PC Partnership Recipients
AARPCV has received special thanks and a report from two of the four Peace Corps Partnership projects that we funded this past summer. Nell Todd, PCV in Mafi-Dove, Ghana, wrote to tell us that the junior secondary school is under construction. Villagers dug and concreted the foundation. By the time you read this, the school is scheduled to have been completed. Nell thanks us, "we couldn't have made this vision a reality without you." We also heard from Alexandra Core in Karangana, Mali, where we helped fund repair of a primary school. While some repairs have started, the remainder will take place when students are on vacation. She tells us "Ala k'aw sara, aw mi baaraji," (thank you, let God repay your actions).
Of Special Interest
The World of Child 6 Billion is a presentation kit available to RPCVs and educators as a guide to talking about the important issues of air quality, safe water, adequate nutrition, accessible and quality health care, basic education, and sufficient housing. The kit, prepared by the Population Reference Bureau and the National Peace Corps Association, includes 2 data sheets from the Population Reference Bureau, 15 photo slides and 14 graphic data slides, a 6-page discussion guide, and a 4-page teachers guide. If you would like a copy, please contact Suzanne Marks at 404-624-3469.
National Summit on Africa Update
The National Summit on Africa is taking place February 16-20, 2000 in Washington, DC at the Convention Center. Thousands of citizens from grassroots organizations, academia, business, and faith communities around the US will be joining policymakers and world leaders for the first-ever National Summit on Africa. Regional Summits, that took place in Atlanta in May of 1998, Chicago in September 1998, San Francisco in September 1999, and Denver in September 1999 culminate in this National Summit to finalize the National Policy Plan of Action on US-Africa Relations into the New Millennium. State Delegates (including AARPCV member Kathy Parker) will work intensely for 3 days to develop the National Policy Plan, which will be distributed to members of the House and Senate, state governors, federal government foreign policymakers, mayors, and NGO leaders. Non-delegates will be offered a wide-variety of programs to observe or participate in the discussions and to enjoy themselves at cultural music, arts, and film events. Over 5000 persons are expected to attend. Registration is $100. Register online or call 847-384-7738 for a registration form.
The AARPCV wine tasting group is , in the words of its founder, Judi Mahoney (Belize ‘84-’86), “a huge success.” Judi invites other interested RPCVs to call her at (770)457-7640 for more information or to join the group.
From the Editor, Amalia Stephens
As newsletter editor I’m on the lookout for items of interest to all our members. Do you have an interesting story to tell about your Peace Corps experience or your work today? Do you have a particular interest you want to share with the group? How are you involved with the international scene, both here and in your country of service?We’ll be publishing again in March. Please send me your timely news, information, announcements, feature stories, photos and artwork. I can be reached at 404-892-7668; 16 South Prado, Atlanta, GA 30309.
ELECTRONIC OPPORTUNITIES
Get in the e-mail Loop. AARPCV is using email more than ever to communicate announcements. If you didn't receive an e-mail announcement for the AIDSWALK, then you're not in the loop. Please provide your current e-mail address to Bob Gerzoff (rcg8@cdc.gov). AARPCV promises not to overwhelm you with emails. We're currently averaging about 3 e-mails per month. Generally, e-mails have consisted of event announcements, job opportunities, and volunteer activities.