autumn/winter issue 2012

PHILADELPHIA AREA PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION AUTUMN 2012

PAGE 1

SOJOURNERSBringing the World Back Home!

Inside: Readjustment (Informal) Survey Results & Stories

Be a Mentor!Recent Events & Upcoming EventsCurrent Volunteer

DispatchesBook Review

Opportunities Abound!

Peace Corps has three simple goals that haven't changed in our 51 year history. The first two directly relate to the Peace Corps experience: help the people of interested countries in meeting the need for trained men and women; and help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of peoples served. The third goal, helping to promote a better of understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans, is more commonly referred to as "bringing the world back home." This Sojourners issue's theme is about how Philadelphia area RPCVs bring the world back home. We feature RPCVs who in different ways have brought the world back home through their work, career or by volunteering. Sharing with others your experiences abroad as a Peace Corps Volunteer is a tremendous way to help build world peace and friendship.

Don’t miss our ANNUAL WINTER POTLUCK!

Saturday December 8th, 6pm


PAGE 2

In loving memory of Kitti Kitzman

Many of our long-time PAPCA members know Kitti Kitzmann, and some of our newer members may have seen her at our annual summer picnics and winter potluck dinners. We are sad to announce Kitti passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2012. She was 88 years young.

Kitti, whose full name was Jeanette Dorothy Kitzmann, was originally from Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school in 1941, she left for Southern California, worked at Bell Telephone Company and eventually received a Bachelors of Arts from UCLA in 1959. Kitti was inspired by Candidate John F. Kennedy Jr.'s speech at the steps of University of Michigan that challenged students to serve their country in the cause of world peace by living and working abroad. Three years later Kitti took steps towards meeting that challenge and applied to be a Peace Corps Volunteer at her local post office. By 1964 she started language, cultural and technical training in Puerto Rico. Part of the training involved physical exercise including swimming, which Kitti did not like. Kitti served in the Peace Corps from 1964 until 1968, along the shores of Lake Titicaca. As a Volunteer she worked with a local artisan cooperative.

Kitti moved to Philadelphia shortly after her Peace Corps to work for the City of Philadelphia School District. She taught junior high art classes for 23 years. In addition to being involved with PAPCA, Kitti was a very active volunteer at the Railway Garden at the Morris Arboretum. Every year Kitti dutifully made confetti-filled eggs for Cascarones Por La Vida, an organization that helps supports children and families with HIV/AIDS.

Kitti will be most remembered in our circles as an avid story teller and devoted member of the Peace Corps community. Over the last few years she was not able to join us to many of our dinners, but she was with us in spirit. She enjoyed reading Sojourners newsletter and hearing about the comings and goings of our lives and our growing families. She also looked forward to getting the Peace Corps calendar every year.

For those who wish to make donation in Kitti's honor are encouraged to contact the Morris Arboretum.


PAGE 3

Happy HourPhiladelphia, PA

Summer 2012


PAGE 4

Jamaican Jerk Hut Monthly DinnerPhiladelphia, PA

July 2012


PAGE 5

NPCA Chief of Staff Stacy Rhodes presents a partnership award to

Dr. Eduardo Gomez at Rutgers University, Camden

Master’s International Program October 2012


PAGE 6

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AT CAMDEN RECEIVES NPCA CHIEF OF STAFF STACY RHODES

National Peace Corps Association’s Chief of Staff, Stacy Rhodes

On Tuesday, October 23, Rutgers University warmly welcomed National Peace Corps Association’s Chief of Staff, Stacy Rhodes as a keynote speaker to mark the 25th anniversary of Rutgers University Master’s International Program in public policy and administration, where candidates subsequently travel to communities and countries around the world for Peace Corps service to directly apply their programs of study.

Rhodes spoke of the “Columbia 1” group - the very first group of 81 Peace Corps trainees to depart for international service and they prepared for their assignments at our very own Rutgers University! Rhodes underscored the notion of service and to take confidence in “the strength of the returns.”

Rhodes presented Dr. Eduardo Gomez, Assistant Professor and overseer of the MPA International Public Service with a partnership award to honor 25 years of collaboration and the continued mission to promote world peace and friendship.

A panel discussion consisting of four students expressed their thoughts about the program and their preparedness to embark upon international service, having achieved both the theoretical aims of the Master’s International program as well as the practical applications; however, “no one is 100% prepared for Peace Corps service” asserted Chief of Staff Rhodes to a nodding and receptive audience. Wendell Pritchett, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden as well as several other faculty members from various departments in the social sciences were in attendance for this memorable event.


PAGE 7

Bringing the World Back Home - Sandy Voge, Nepal 1994-1996 I suppose I’m “Bringing the World Back Home” in a pretty literal sense—helping people from my country of service. I served in Nepal from 1990-92, during which time the refugee camps for Bhutanese refugees were established in eastern Nepal, about an hour or two away from my post. I have to admit I was unaware of the stories of the people in those camps at the time. Fast forward to 2010. Sarah Peterson, RPCV, who works for a refugee resettlement organization here in Philly says to me, “Hey, you speak Nepali right?” I probably chuckled before I said, “Not for 20 years I haven’t.” But being the better person, she convinces me that I want to consider being an “American friend” to a Bhutanese refugee family in Northeast Philly. Being a friend means visiting and possibly helping them in whatever way they might need.

After their ancestors moved to Bhutan 150-200 years ago, these adults knew only a life in Bhutan, but Bhutan’s cultural revolution in the late 80’s wasn’t conducive to these people who still maintained their nepali language/dress/and culture. The refugees left Bhutan in 1991-92 and have lived in the camps with their families since then. The children were born and raised in the camps and knew no other life. The approximately 100,000 refugees are being resettled all over the western world.

After an application process, I made my first scary visit to the family in July 2010. My language skills were VERY rusty and I wasn’t sure how I would communicate with them. The parents are in their 50’s and speak no English at all. But at least the oldest teenager spoke basic English. They were in a small apartment with the basics. It seemed like all they had was the barest minimum of furniture and supplies. It was summer and they had to register for school. The father has health issues that needed follow up by specialists. Luckily they had been provided with Medicaid insurance, but their cash and food stamp allotments barely covered their necessary purchases. I have solicited donations of clothing and household goods from many different persons I know. My poor car has been piled with boxes and bags so often that it thinks it’s a truck! (continued on next page...)


Bringing the World Back Home - Sandy Voge

...I ended up making visits with them nearly every week for the first few months. Partly social, partly to address whatever needs they had. There is always a social component because, as with most of the countries we served in, the nepali culture demands that you are always offered food and/or drink—whether they ask you first or not! So I never came home hungry, and after 20 years I’m finally getting some regular “Daal-Bhaat” (the traditional nepali meal) again! I am “Sister” to everyone and am always instructed that the next time I come up, I “have to eat at so and so’s house.” I’m invited to graduations and funerals as well. Can’t wait for a wedding to happen!

I have learned SO MUCH in 2 years’ time! My Nepalese language skills are better again. I keep a file with all my contacts and information for the things I’ve helped them do. I can get a kid tested and registered for school, sign a woman up for WIC, get the elderly signed up for care at home, help them open bank accounts, and direct them to the proper medical care. There’s always more that can be done, but at a certain point—2 years and about 8 families later, I’ve drawn a line and said I can’t help any more families as there are now multiple households of related families who have arrived. I have backed off on visits to 1-2/month, trying to get them to do more for themselves. Many of the young people can now speak English and work the internet well enough to manage most things.

My experience has been time consuming at intervals, but also interesting. While my work with them has been rewarded by their thanks, I’m also glad they are more self-sufficient and I can get back to my own needs on my days off work. The next step they need to take, that I can’t help them with, is to get GED’s so they can get better jobs—you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to convince the young adults to start on this! The older adults need to take ESL classes so they can pass their citizenship test in the future, but they keep delaying on pursuing those as well. I can’t do this for them, only give them advice, and info on how to pursue the classes. Anyone know how to motivate people out of complacency?

Sandra Voge

Nepal, Nursing Education, 1990-92


Bringing the World Back Home - Lauren Arnold, Cambodia 2008-2010

It was incredibly exciting for me to happen to move back to a city in the UnitedStates with such a rich community of immigrants from the country in which Iserved, Cambodia. After living in the city for a few weeks, I did some intensegoogling and found out about the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia(CAGP). I emailed them offering my help with whatever and was able to volunteerat an upcoming event. At that event, I asked around about when people were goingto be celebrating a big Cambodian holiday that I knew was coming up. After findingout that information, I showed up at the temple early the next week (in my fullCambodian holiday outfit) and offered my help to the women who were organizingthe food. That’s how I made friends with several women at the temple, one inparticular, who give me a heads up when holidays and special events are happening(as well as invite me over just to hang out) and who help me not miss Cambodiaquite so much. I get to eat Cambodian food, dress up in Cambodian clothes, danceCambodian dances, and speak Khmer! It’s super nice.

In addition to the friend-making I did at the temple, I also got further involved withthe CAGP in terms of specific health-related events. I volunteered at a bunch ofevents with them as an interpreter and health educator, helping out with flu clinics,senior events, etc. I also started work with them on starting a new Cambodianhealth clinic branch of the CAGP; it is still in the works, and I am very excited aboutit!

Now I live in New York for medical school, and I miss the Cambodian community Ifound in Philly, though I still keep in touch with both my temple and CAGP friends. Amonk I know just told me about a temple close to where I live here, so I am hopingto make some new connections in NYC, as well.

My advice to you if you want to get connected to the stateside community from yourcountry of service is to do some aggressive googling and then offer to help. If theydon’t answer your email at first, call them, because they might not believe in emailthat you are fluent in whatever obscure language you might happen to know!

-Lauren Arnold, Cambodia ‘08-’10


Hi Philly RPCVs,

Greetings from Magwar, a tiny rural village in Kenya near Lake Victoria.

Some of you may remember that we were CED PCVs in a town in Romania from 2007-2009. Well, the countries and our job assignments couldn't be more different! In Kenya, we are teaching math and science as well as life skills and English to secondary school girls.

Life is definitely much harder here than it was in Romania. Our school has no electricity or running water. We walk to school 45 minutes each way and bathe and wash dishes in small tubs. Resources are scarce.

On the plus side, we work with the most amazing and endearing group of students. They delight us every day and we do feel, as the cliche goes, that we are "making a difference in their lives".

We have had some US visitors and would love to have more. Kenya has magnificent game parks! We'd also love to hear from all of you. You can write to us at [email protected] or [email protected].

Anne and Mel

VOLUNTEER DISPATCHES

mailto:[email protected]





1.talk about your Peace Corps experience to anyone who will listen 2. put a Peace Corps bumper sticker on your car/bike/water bottle (people will inevitably ask you about it!)

3. be a speaker (with the Girl Scouts, local college, elementary school, Peace Corps recruiting event)4. volunteer to teach or be a tutor (ESL, KIPP Philadelphia Saturday School, etc.)5. take up drumming (samba, African drumming circles, taiko, etc.)6. volunteer as a translator with a local organization that serves people where you served7. eat and share Madécasse chocolate (http://www.madecasse.com/)8. have a themed party based on the holiday listed in the RPCV calendar (see page # for 2013's calendar) 9. host a brown bag lunch and show pictures of your Peace Corps experience10. join PAPCA!

Time for Kimiko’s TOP TEN! (Rivaled only by David Letterman)

Top Ten Ways to Bring the World Back Home

http://www.madecasse.com/

http://www.madecasse.com/


MEMBERSHIP NEWS - Join or RenewA membership in the National Peace Corps Association entitles you to membership with your local affiliate group (PAPCA-Philadelphia Area Peace Corps Association), a subscription to World View Magazine, discounts on travel and merchandise, and access to a number of members-only benefits such as NPCA's online directory. Your membership also supports legislative advocacy, global education, and more.

BY CHECK:

-NPCA and PAPCA ($50.00) Make check out to NPCA. Be sure to choose the Phila. Area Peace Corps Assoc. as your affiliate group. Additional affiliate groups can be added on for $15.00 per group.-*PAPCA only membership ($15.00). Make check out to PAPCA. Mail to Sandy. Please include: your address, phone number, email, country and years of service!

*You may mail either membership to Sandra Voge at: 1939 E Zabenko Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808. She will forward to NPCA as needed.

OR ONLINE:

Or, Join/renew with NPCA at www.peacecorpsconnect.org (click “Join Today”. They have a form at the site which you can print and mail to them, or complete the form online and pay electronically. See mailing address below for checks sent directly to NPCA.

National Peace Corps Association--Membership 1900 L Street NW Suite 610 Washington DC 20036

If you are currently experiencing financial hardships, and still want to be a PAPCA member, please contact Sandra Voge at [email protected].

http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/

http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/




Let’s Eat! Upcoming Second Saturday Suppers

2013

January 12: Khmer Kitchen (Cambodian, BYOB)1700 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148; 215-755-2222RSVP: Kealan at [email protected] or 708-846-9521

February 9: Persian Grill (Persian and Nepali)637 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444; 610-825-2705RSVP: Sandra at [email protected] or 610-696-1447

March 9: Plaza Garibaldi (Mexican)935 Washington Ave., Philadelphia PA 19147; 215-922-2370RSVP: Jessica at [email protected] or 610-413-9876

April 13: Tiffin (Indian, BYOB)710 W Girard Ave., Philadelphia PA 19123; 215-922-1297RSVP: Alicia at [email protected] or 609-472-0031

May 11: Indonesia Restaurant (BYOB)1725 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19145; 215-829-1400RSVP: Roseanne at [email protected] or 215-880-1858

June 2 (SUNDAY): Wokano (Chinese Dim Sum) – 11:30am1100 Washington Ave., Philadelphia 19147; 215-271-3388RSVP: Huu at [email protected] or 215-316-8491

June (Date TBA): PAPCA Annual Potluck Picnic – 1:00pmFairmount Park, Details to FollowRSVP: Sandra at [email protected] or 610-696-1447

July 13: Jamaican Jerk Hut (BYOB)1436 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-1631; 215-545-8644RSVP: Stuart at [email protected] or 904-614-8611

August 10: Uzbekistan (BYOB)12012 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19116; 215-671-1990RSVP: Paula at [email protected] or 215-238-0395

September 14: Nam Phuong (Vietnamese)1100-1120 Washington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19147; 215-468-0410RSVP: Huu at [email protected] or 215-316-8491

October 12: Casa Brazil BBQ (BYOB)6222 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19149; 215-744-6206RSVP: Kimiko at [email protected] or 215-873-9996

November 9: Dahlak (Ethiopian)4708 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143-3503; 215-726-6464RSVP: Jane at [email protected] or 856-628-4246

December 14: PAPCA Potluck (BYOB)Details to FollowRSVP: Sandra at [email protected] or 610-696-1447




























PAPCA always supports

literature that enriches and

broadens our

understanding of the world.

livre

book

konyv

libro

Buch

livro

bog

bok

To learn more, simply visit this web address:http://www.billbryson.co.uk/html

Book Review: I’m a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson (Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away)

This issue’s book selection is an “oldie but goldie” and keeps with the theme of readjustment! Author and humorist Bill Bryson uses his powers of observation and wit to describe the nuanced and sometimes strange things that we do here in the U.S. The book is a series of newspaper columns Bryson wrote for the Mail on Sunday newspaper’s Night & Day Magazine in Britain between 1996-1998. Bryson, born and raised in Iowa, later moved to Britain and spend twenty years working and raising a family with his British wife. In 1995, the Bryson family moved to Hanover, New Hampshire, where the musings in this book were written. Some of our favorite columns are: • “Why No One Walks” where Bryson describes our culture’s fascination to drive

a car and our uncanny ability avoid any amount of walking (i.e. driving to the gym to walk on the treadmill)

• “Consuming Pleasures” in which Bryson comments on how there is nothing in the United States that you cannot buy here (and remember, this book was written before everyone had the Internet, Amazon.com and Zappos!)

• “Your Tax Form Explained” where Bryson rewrites the instructions to IRS From 1040, concluding with: “To compute your estimated tax, add lines 27 through 964, deduct lines 45a and 699f from Schedule 2F….If line 997 is smaller than line 998, start again. In the space marked “Tax Due,” write “a very large figure.”

This book is also enjoyable because so much has changed since the mid-90’s and there are many references to what is becoming bygone days (i.e. motels, drive-in movie theaters, diners, the post office, etc.). Bryson’s commentary about technology in “Lost in Cyberland” is particularly hilarious. I can only imagine what Bryson would write about today with all the smartphones and wireless whatnots! Another great, laugh-out-loud book by Bryson is A Walk in the Woods where he recounts his experience hiking (most of) the Appalachian Trail.

BOOK CORNER

http://www.stanleymeisler.com/peacecorps/index.html

http://www.stanleymeisler.com/peacecorps/index.html


Meet the PAPCA Board of Directors for 2011 - 2012

Paula LarsonSpeaker’s BureauThailand ‘83-’85Medical Technology

Stuart JablonMember at LargeJamaica ’83 - ’85Fishing Cooperative

Sandy VogeTreasurer & MembershipNepal ’90-’92Nursing & Education

Dan GreenlandVice PresidentPhilippines ‘08-’10TEFL

Kimiko DohertyService & NewsletterHonduras ’03-’05Municipal Development

Alicia De Marco President & NewsletterHungary ‘95 - ‘97 TEFL

Jane BehnkeMember at LargeAfghanistan ‘70-’72TEFL

Roseanne RostockSecretaryPhilippines ‘00-’02Teacher Developer

Jessica McAtamneyWebsite/List-ServeGuatemala ’97 - ’99Agriculture

Our annual Send-Off is a big HIT!Here is a brief letter from PCV Lew Hemmer in Macedonia:

Wow! reading about the upcoming send off party makes me realize that it has been a year since I attended the previous one as an invitee. That was a wonderful experience

and a great way for me to begin preparing for my service. It was there that I met many wonderful RPCVs and another invitee going to Macedonia. We arrived at Staging with

the comfort of already knowing at least one other trainee and full of enthusiasm having heard from so many RPCVs about their PC experiences.

Best wishes for another great evening. Thanks to all of your member RPCVs and "Среќен пат!" (Sreckyen Pat - - - Safe and

happy travels) to all of the invitees. I look forward to participating in your events in the future, but I am by no means

wishing away my service time here in Macedonia. - Lew----------------------------------- Lewis Hemmer, PCV - MAK16Negotino, Macedonia

Huu NgoMember at LargePapua New Guinea ‘99-’01TEFL

Lauren ArnoldMember at Large & NewsletterCambodia ‘08-’10TEFL


Calendar at a Glance for remainder of 2012

Nov 10 - Board Meeting

Nov 11 - 2nd Saturday Supper

Dec 8 - Annual Holiday PotluckAnn & Ed Hearn in Cherry Hill

Annual Board Election

(for 2013 calendar, please see page 13)

Please check our website for further details:

www.phillyrpcv.com

* * * *

‘Like’ us on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/peacecorpsphilly

SHOUT OUTS! If you or someone you know in the Peace Corps has been in the news, please let us know so that we may share it with others!

Contributors:

KIMIKO DOHERTY

ALICIA DEMARCO

We would both like to thank all Board

Members and surrounding RPCVs for their continued contributions and support! Think

Global, Act Local!

http://www.phillyrpcv.com

http://www.phillyrpcv.com

http://www.facebook.com/peacecorpsphilly

http://www.facebook.com/peacecorpsphilly

autumn/winter issue 2012

Documents

peace corps volunteer

peace corps community

peace corps experience

kitti kitzmann

year kitti

cause of world peace

philadelphia area rpcvs

active volunteer