Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“(My proudest Peace Corps accomplishment was) My role in compiling the statistical and forecasting the financial results for the Smallpox Eradication program year-end reports for 1971. ” James W. Skelton Jr., Esq. Ethiopia 1970 – 1972 Mountain View, CA 94040

“Giving up two years for Peace Corps widened and expanded how I see the world today. It broadened my curiosities to learn more about the many cultures and people…” Melvia “Mel” L. Wong, MBA Ukraine 1996 - 1998; Armenia 2011 Mountain View, CA 94041

“Peace Corps had a pilot Teacher In-Service Education Program in Nigeria, as full-time teachers had to pass the equivalent of a full year of teachers college within five years or they would lose their jobs. The first year of the program, my students had the highest pass-rate in the nation, including students going to full-time teacher’s colleges.” Karen Keefer Nigeria 1966 – 1968; Liberia (Staff) 1968; US Staff 1977 – 1979 Redwood City, CA 94061

“(My proudest accomplishment was) introducing modern poultry industry practices and marketing to individual farmers, which only years later turned successful all over India.” Dan Waldman India 1967 – 1969 San Francisco, CA 94102

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“The Peace Corps sent me out into the world, to live in diverse cultures, to taste the various ways our species has found to live; to speak, to love, to connect, to create, to worship. Peace Corps started my career working face-to-face with individuals, and I’ve ended up practicing psychotherapy as a Jungian analyst. ” Gordon Murray Nepal 1969 – 1972 San Francisco, CA 94110

“After the Peace Corps, (we) lived in Moscow, Guatemala, and Malta, as well as D.C. Our life became more focused on international affairs and helping people. We’ve never regretted it.” Marietta Bartoletti Bulgaria 1992-1994 San Francisco, CA 94114

“On returning to Jerantut in 1987 I was able to visit my clinic and learned that a school health and vaccination program I had helped my assistant nurse set up had expanded and was still in operation.” Mary Lou McRea RN Malaysia 1964 – 1966 San Francisco, CA 94118

“All the schooling and book learning pales in comparison to the education one acquires by becoming a Peace Corps volunteer and living and working among people of a country other than one's own. For my wife, Audrey, and me, our Peace Corps training in San Diego and service in Cuzco, Peru was also a time to meet, fall in love, and get married. Our Peace Corps tales were passed on to our two children who, in turn, also served as Peace Corps volunteers 20 years later in Honduras.” David H. Fielding Peru 1964 – 1964 – 1966 San Francisco, CA 94118

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“I am happy to know that this organization, which allows well-meaning individuals to aid communities in other nations, is still supported by the US government.” Charlotte L. Pinsky Colombia 1971-1974 San Francisco, CA 94133

“(My proudest Peace Corps moment was) winning the 1984 Niger National Soccer Championship, then meeting the president (Kounchie) after that game: what he said to me changed the course of my life, ‘look how the ball brought us together today, Mike.’ Those words were the catalyst for Project Play Soccer, which is my proudest accomplishment.” Mike Anthony Mitchell Niger 1983 - 1985 San Francisco, CA 94134

“The Peace Corps has impacted my life by making me more culturally competent and proficient in diverse settings. It enables me to be effective in my current role as program coordinator at SparkPoint at Skyline College. It was the toughest job I have ever loved!” Heather Drusilla Smith MPA Belize 2010 – 2011 San Francisco, CA

“I loved being able to work with Kenyan teacher educators who were interested in learning ways to prepare teachers for a more participatory classroom than had been the case in colonial and post-colonial years. I hope they were able to adapt what they learned in their work with young Kenyans wanting to become teachers.” Daniel Safran PhD Kenya 1970-1972 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps “I think the common, everyday experiences are what makes my Peace Corps experience so special: sitting with village women, cleaning vegetables for the evening meal, watching the kids run around and play, attempting to understand the fast-paced and dialect-filled bantering. It was simple; it was touching.” Kathryn Day South Korea 1980 – 1981 El Cerrito, CA 94530

“Being put into a teaching role was life-changing for me. I learned over the years that teaching is the greatest gift as its impact ripples out over months and years. Having past students tell me how much my presence changed their lives and opened their eyes is accomplishment enough.” Kevin B. Wheeler Thailand 1969 – 1974 Fremont, CA 94539

(One of my favorite Peace Corps memories was) becoming the first American to be awarded and honorary citizen and have my picture and placque displayed on the community’s recognition of great community members throughout the history of the town.” Travis J. Minetti Moldova 2010 - 2012 Martinez, CA 94553

“My two years of Peace Corps service in the village of Buteni, Romania, from 2007-2009 has been an amazing experience...I must honestly say that I haven’t accomplished much for the community but I am particularly happy for the benefits people claimed they derived from the activities and various projects I have initiated. It is worthwhile to mention, though, that the friends I made, the impression I gave them of America, and the “we can-do attitude” were my greatest accomplishments…I hope that my great dreams for the village will definitely take root eventually. Someday in the future, some young people will remember my ideas and start to make them happen. I was just planting seeds.” Gloria P. Cosico Romania 2007 – 2009 Newark, CA 94560

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“In the (San Francisco) Bay area, I connected with the Northern California Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group and became very involved with the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer world. I served as president of the NorCal group and a board member of the NPCA, editing the global education newsletter for the past 20 years.” Susan Marie Neyer Philippines 1962 – 1965; Staff 1967 – 1968 Walnut Creek, CA 94595

“I thank Peace Corps for opening my eyes to a wonderful career and life.” Peter Johnson India 1967-1970; United States (Staff) 1970-1989 Walnut Creek, CA 94595

“(My proudest Peace Corps accomplishment was) Successful building of a Marine Protected Area Learning Center in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique Province, Philippines, for youth and adults through a USAID grant.” Benjamin M. Martin Philippines 2010-2013 Walnut Creek, CA 94597

“During my first year (of Peace Corps service) in Mettu, Illubabor Province, Ethiopia, I set up a community lending library using hundreds of books donated by the US Embassy in Addis Ababa.” Micheal Ellis Banister Ethiopia 1972 – 1974 Oakland, CA 94602

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“My best moment happened last week, when, for the first time in 52 years, I met one of the students I taught math, physics, and history in my small provincial high school in Asella, Ethiopia. He had a fascinating and sometimes terribly painful life and came through it all as a sweet and hopeful man, well-educated, who had found many ways to support and educate others. Two of the students from that after-school class of seven went on to get PhDs, one in math (studied in the US and returned to chair the math department at the university in Ethiopia), the other in physics (also returning to teach in the university).” Ronald D. Lee Ethiopia 1963 – 1965 Berkeley, CA 94705

“During the 1967 Israeli-Arab war, first news from Egypt and Jordan said US and Britain pilots had joined the Israeli attack. Angry mobs surged across Tunis and, of course, my friends and I went out to look. At one point, we were joined by some of our students; shortly later we were encircled by angry demonstrators. The students stepped between us and the mob, saying we were Peace Corps, teachers, not fighters, helping them to learn. The mob stopped shouting and then moved on…” Dr. Frederick Huxley Tunisia 1965-1967 Berkeley, CA 94705

“Me and my wife are still volunteers and trying to better our local communities. Whether with Habitat for Humanity, the food bank, homeless youth, or our church outreach activities, it's a lifelong journey.” Vern A. Phillips Morocco 1972-1974; Democratic Republic of Congo 1974-1975 Berkeley, CA 94705

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“The Peace Corps determined my career. After serving two years, we remained in Pakistan for three more years, learning Urdu as well as Pushto. Back in America, I pursued graduate study in international development, focusing on women in Islamic societies. I taught at San Francisco State University and worked 21 years for The Asia Foundation, returning to Pakistan for another three years in the 1990s. My late husband, Gene, became an expert on irrigation in areas like Pakistan and had many short-term assignments there and in arid West Africa, Indonesia, and India.” Elizabeth Herrick White PhD Pakistan 1962 – 1964 Berkeley, CA 94707

“When I think of all of the individuals who dedicated 27 months of their lives to their service, I’m overwhelmed with pride and admiration for the many great things (big and small) that they accomplished during that time. It makes me proud to know that there are so many others who share a dedication to service and cross-cultural friendship.” Kimberly Suzuki Panama 2012 – 2014 El Sobrante, CA 94803

“(Peace Corps) gave me the chance to live abroad and work in a completely foreign country, right out of college, in my chosen field of architecture. After a few months of in-country training, we were given significant buildings to design for the government; a rare experience for a graduate architect.” David Hanchette Tunisia 1962 – 1964 Corte Madera, CA 94925

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“Reflecting back, Peace Corps has permeated every aspect of my life. It has forever changed the lens of which I view the world and my role in it. It changed how I approach relationships with not only others, but with myself. My service has taught me what I am capable of, whether that is alone or in a group of people I just met or have known for years. My service has allowed me to envision how I want to raise my family, with a global perspective and an appreciation for all kind. Peace Corps has expanded my network, with family and friends half a world away. It gave me inspiration to pursue work with nonprofits committed to youth development while I reminiscence on the sweetest pineapples I have ever tasted.” Tara Matthews Uganda, 2012-2014 Novato, CA 94947

“When one is in a third world country, as an American, one becomes aware of the enormous benefits living in America gives you. We, the Peace Corps Volunteers, could be trusted . . . We became respected by the people we were helping. . . This gave us opportunities we would perhaps never have aspired to at home. . . Coming home, we brought that self-esteem with us into our daily lives.” Lilka Areton (Woodward) PhD Peru 1965 – 1967 San Anselmo, CA 94960

“I believe that former and current Peace Corps volunteers project a unique philosophy wherever they go. They are interested in other cultures, respect differences, and seek new experiences to add to their perspectives. They are people who are caring, interested, and willing to be part of the solutions to problems. I am proud to be a member of this group.” Joan Collett Brown Venezuela 1964 – 1965 Larkspur, CA 94977

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“The first year (of Peace Corps service) I lived with another volunteer in a town (in Ethiopia) of about 500 people. When we arrived, they were ready to build the drinking water system that the Ethiopian community worker had shown them they needed. Each household was responsible for digging 60 feet of trench for pipe and (were) hauling rocks from the river for the masonry reservoir. After about five months, work slowed to a crawl as people began to wonder if they would ever finish. After about five months... we made some measurements... Within a few months, the pipe was in the ground, a huge reservoir was full of water, and fresh water was available at four public fountains. The town's people were so proud of themselves that they held a big party and the provincial governor and important people from Addis Ababa were invited.” Thomas D. Purdy Ethiopia 1968-1970 Ben Lomond, CA 95005

“Every Peace Corps person I have met shares respect for the people who are working hard for improvement in their developing nations. Respect is developed through knowledge and interaction.” Alice Lopez Jamaica 1974-1976 Santa Cruz, CA 95060

“Becoming immersed in an unfamiliar culture for two years has given me a lifelong appreciation of the differences and similarities between my culture and other cultures.” James W. Porter Nigeria 1966-1968 Santa Cruz, CA 95062

“(Because of Peace Corps) I learned not to expect anything from others. Be thankful for whatever we have, and help the less fortunate among us and worldwide.” Taj Q. Noori Niger 2010 – 2011; Zambia 2012 – 2014 Saratoga, CA 95070

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“I am so proud to be part of the Peace Corps Community. Being in the Peace Corps was the greatest time of my life, and I think about my service and my family in South Africa everyday. I love to meet other Peace Corps volunteers and swap stories about our lives in our villages. We always have a bond even if we didn’t serve on the some continent.” Katie Roberts South Africa 2011-2013 San Jose, CA 95118

“My experiences in the Peace Corps influenced my decision to change careers from engineering to the field of education. I served as a teacher and administrator for over 30 years.” Frank P. Nucci Chile 1965 – 1967 San Jose, CA 95119

“(Peace Corps) has caused me to stay interested in the developing world and service for more than a half-century. It also helped me focus my career on teaching mathematics, instead of being just a research mathematician.” Peter Ross India 1963-1965 San Jose, CA 95126

“All of my employment post Peace Corps was in jobs that required that I be bilingual. My career would have been totally different without having been in the Peace Corps.” Judith A. Hoaglund Chile 1980-1982; Honduras 1982-1983 Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“I’ve never forgotten the frustration of being unable to communicate in a language that isn’t your own. The perseverance, dedication, and lighthearted humor of my students continue to inspire me every time I walk into the classroom.” Thea Evensen Peru 1964-1966 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

“(Peace Corps) has given me a sense of pride in serving my community in various ways.” Dr. J. Davis Mannino Malaysia 1974-1976 Guerneville, CA 95446

“It is good to know there are thousands of people who believe positive change can come from the work of ordinary people.” Joel Neuberg Niger 1967 – 1969 Sebastopol, CA 95472

“I am proud of learning to speak and read Spanish. Learning to respect the culture, dreams, and desires of the Venezuelans. The Venezuelans I met had a thirst for education and lifelong learning. I appreciate that they allowed me to contribute to that goal.” Rod J. Buchignani EdD Venezuela 1967 – 1969 Sebastopol, CA 95472

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“This community keeps the aims and accomplishments of the Peace Corps in the public eye, which helps validate what we did in the 1960s. Our Peace Corps volunteer license plate cover still attracts people to us to ask questions about the Peace Corps. Peace Corps still does such good work abroad and at home, which makes us very proud to have been a part of it.” Beverly Bertaina Tanzania 1964-1966 Sebastopol, CA 95472

“I had traveled in Africa prior to my Peace Corps days and was already curious and open-minded, but nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced as a volunteer. I am proud to be part of the Peace Corps Community.” Deborah Hahn Cote D’Ivoire 1973 – 1975 Sebastopol, CA 95472

“(My proudest Peace Corps accomplishments were) Helping Ponapeans create the Circular Island Road and bridges and construct many new school buildings, clinics, and the new dock and warehouses all through the newly established Ponape Transportation Authority.” Charles A. Lachman Federated States of Micronesia 1968 – 1971 Sebastopol, CA 95472

“My career in healthcare administration was due to my time in the Peace Corps (in Ghana), as I wanted a profession that could help others. I have traveled and volunteered in third world medical clinics and have been back to Ghana twice.” Lucy E. Weiger Ghana 1974 – 1976 Sonoma, CA 95476

Greater San Francisco Reflections on the Peace Corps

“The projects that I helped to set up are still functioning. I am both surprised and proud.” Lori Goodman Belize 1997 – 1999 Eureka, CA 95503

“While serving in the Peace Corps, I came into contact with CARE USA and I decided to explore a career with them after completing my Peace Corps volunteer assignment. CARE USA hired me, and I spent the next 28 years providing support to relief and development workers in Vietnam, Indonesia, India and six countries in Africa and also served as regional manager for CARE's programs in East Africa (Egypt to Mozambique).” Rudy F. Ramp Malaysia 1962 -1964 Arcata, CA 95521