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Initial support for Encore has been provided by The UPS Foundation and The
W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
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Voices of Our Volunteers |
| MAKING PhD'S POSSIBLE.... |
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DR. GENE MARSH, ENCORE SERVICE VOLUNTEER, KENYA
Nurses are in high demand all around the world. They provide critical care in emergencies and during routine clinical visits. But in African countries, like Kenya, there is a huge disparity. Africa has 13% of the world's population but less than 5% of the world's nurses and doctors. In order for Africa to have a healthy, thriving society more must be done to train health professionals.
Enter Encore Service Volunteer: When we first sent Gene Marsh to Moi University, the goal was to assist with the nursing program. But Gene quickly discovered that a lack of resources severely limited the number of nurses who could go on to train others. There are only a handful of professors who teach nursing at Moi University, running both undergrad and Masters programs, handling both class and clinical teaching and trying to publish and pursue their own PhDs. A goal they have neither the time or the money to achieve.
Until the school has a PhD prepared nursing professor, they can not advance to the status of a School of Nursing. This has huge resource allocation implications which can severely affect the country's ability to provide quality medical care for future generations.
The Goal: To raise money for nursing faculty to obtain their PhD. For each faculty member the cost is $4,000. Your donation to Gene's Moi Scholarship Fund, is 100% tax deductible. You will be helping Kenyan nursing at the national level.
If you are interested in supporting this project, you can make your check out to Encore Service Corps International and mail it to PO Box 34064 Washington, DC 20043. In the subject line please write: Moi Scholarship Fund. You can also click the "Donate" tab to make an online contribution.
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| "THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AGAIN...." |
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When I retired in 2002 to join the Peace Corps, that opened a new and exciting chapter in an already full life. My PC experience (4 ½ years) couldnt have been better, and I was reluctant to let it come to an end. However, I had the opportunity to house sit for the British Ambassador to Ecuador (in London). Because I had always hoped to retire to London (where one of my sons lives), this was perfect. So, I have lived in London for three years; however, my life has seemed irrelevant.
This project to Kenya for Encore Service breathed new life into me. I felt stimulated and useful life is a long-term learning experience, and this assignment allowed me to stretch my capacities. I realize that being active ANYWHERE is better than finding a resting place. I started (with three other women) a charity in London to teach English in the homes, one on one, to those who need that skill. The opportunity to get away for three months as an Encore Volunteer has given me more energy to re-connect to my group and continue teaching English to a woman from Iraq who was severely disabled by the government under Sadam Hussein. I have also put in an application to volunteer with the 2012 London Olympics. However, if another opportunity to work with Encore were to come up, I would be seriously tempted, even though that would jeopardize my status as a resident in the UK.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve again."
MOLLY LAMPPHEAR, ENCORE SERVICE VOLUNTEER, KENYA
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| "I HAVE NO PATIENCE OR INTEREST IN MAKE-BELIEVE ALTRUSIM" |
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Dear Susan,
Yesterday I joined ENCORE SERVICE-- I submitted the basic application form to work with ENCORE SERVICE in the future. Today, I already modified my application a bit.
I also wanted to forward to you my resume, in a better format than through the comments box of the application (See attachment below).
It was such a pleasure to have located ENCORE SERVICE about 4:00 AM yesterday morning. Since an RPCV/Turkey reunion in Portland, Oregon in 2005, I've realized that RPCVs, particularly seniors with pensions and few obligations, and most of all, a lifetime of service, are a true asset. "There ought to be an organization" for using this great resource.
There are many other organizations on the web that combine the desire-to-serve, and desire-to-travel of so many, and they create pseudo, or quasi-volunteer opportunities that are really just disguised eco-tourism, at best.
What was so immediately evident with ENCORE SERVICE was the vision, mission and values statement, as well as the Founders Letter linked to the fact that it is all Peace Corps Volunteers and Staff that have created this organization. Their credibility is profound.
I am convinced that an ENCORE SERVICE assignment would be a real task, and not just make-work.
Like other RPCVs, I have no patience or interest in make believe altruism.
At that 40th reunion in 2005, I realized that this was a group of people in which I was proud to call myself a member. Today again, I am proud to have joined ENCORE SERVICE I hope that I will have an opportunity to serve.
Thank you for what you are doing.
Sincerely,
Jack Boatright
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| "I DO FEEL THAT TRUE CAPACITY-BUILDING OCCURRED" |
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Terri Stiffler (RPCV, Zimbabwe 99-00) worked with Development Alternatives (DA) and their holistic watershed project in villages in the Jhansi area.
The following was taken from Terri's Project Report.
E: How were the living and working conditions?
Terri: I lived with a wonderful older Hindi couple whom I called Aunty and Uncle. I shared dinner with them and 2 other male colleagues of mine who also stayed there. Each day I walked with my colleagues one mile to the bus stop where DAs small bus picked up many of us at 8:30 a.m. each morning to the DA campus was a wonderful place to work.
E: How would you assess the overall project?
Terri: I do believe that I was able to assist the host partner to accomplish the project goals and objectives. Another program in DA asked me to forward them my work so that they could model their program after mine I was flattered.
E: Are you glad that you went?
Terri: This program was truly a great experience allowing me to return to volunteer service in a rural area! After finishing Peace Corps many years ago, I knew I wanted to do international work, but did not think I would ever have the opportunity to actually live and work in a different culture again.
By helping the DA staff to become more structured in this project, things will, hopefully, move forward in a more organized manner and get done before the final year is completed. I do feel that true capacity-building occurred.
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| "A DOZEN PEOPLE LOOKED ME IN THE EYE AND OFFERED HEARTFELT THANKS" |
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Dirk Vanderloop (RPCV Malaysia 79-81)is an organizational development expert, and he was excited when he was asked to return to an area he knew well as a Peace Corps Volunteer 20 years before. Dirk helped United Way offices tasked with distributing Tsunami Response Funds.
The following was taken from his Project Report.
E: What were some of the ways you prepared for your trip?
Dirk: At first, I was overwhelmed with thoughts of everything I could or should do to get ready. My priority list was trimmed considerably and I felt more comfortable and confident after attending the Orientation. I went to my local county Department of Public Health for immunizations. Along with all the area-specific precautions and info, the nurse suggested I get an influenza vaccination. In retrospect, this may be one of the best things I did to prepare. Staying healthy throughout the assignment was a blessing that made the experience more pleasant and allowed me to be as productive as possible.
E: How was the adjustment?
Dirk: I was surprised how my language skills came back after 22 years. In some ways, it seemed like I spoke better Bahasa than before. This may be attributed to increased age or confidence. Whatever the reason, it was a pleasure to use the language again and have it open so many doors and levels of social interaction.
E: Was there any joy or inspiration?
Dirk: At least a dozen people looked me in the eye and offered heartfelt thanks for the Aceh rebuilding efforts. The first time this occurred, I felt the need to give a detailed explanation of how the money was raised and distributed. The next time, I shortened my spiel. Finally, I realized that all these folks wanted to do was to thank someone, in person, for the generosity and remembrance of outsiders in a time of need. From then on I accepted their thanks with a simple, "You're welcome." Each one seemed relieved with this ritual.
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| "I HAVE GROWN BOTH TECHNICALLY AND CULTURALLY BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, AS A PERSON" |
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Keith Sunshine (RPCV Senegal/Guinea 1996) is an engineer and was asked to provide capacity-building to United Way funded projects in Tamil Nadu, and in particular housing and schools that were built for victims of the tsunami.
The following was taken from Keith's Project Report.
E: How would you assess your assignment?
Keith: I feel that I was very helpful to Sevai, Hope and UWM and that true skills transfer was accomplished. These skills will improve their capacity to manage ongoing tsunami-related and other construction projects. I also feel that I accomplished the ENCORE SERVICE'S goal of fostering international tolerance and understanding through living, working and sharing with the various people and communities I visited.
E: How was your adjustment to India?
I was able to quickly learn the local greetings and enough Tamil to get by and then a little Hindi when in Mumbai. Learning the Indian culture also came quickly with many similarities to my prior Peace Corps experience and other places that I have visited and lived since. I was very comfortable with local transportation and living and working facilities. I also enjoyed the local food and eating by hand. There is no doubt that this has been a very rewarding cultural experience.
E: What would you say gave you joy and/or inspiration?
Wow, that is a big question. Just like my original Peace Corps experience, being an ENCORE SERVICE volunteer has impacted me in ways that I can hardly describe. I was once told that when volunteering, it is often the volunteer who gains the most. This is especially true of Peace Corps and international volunteering. I have grown both technically and culturally but most importantly as a person. I will continue to grow from my ENCORE SERVICE experience as I share my experiences back home and abroad. This experience has inspired me to continue to volunteer abroad and I look very forward to continued international service.
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| "THIS REINFORCED MY FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF IN THE GOODNESS OF MANKIND" |
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Dr. Bob Lee (RPCV Uzbekistan, 04-05) is an organizational development expert, and was asked to assist in the administration of the United Way's Tsunami Response Fund in their Jakarta office.
This was taken from Bob's Project Report.
E: Were the staff ready for you to be there?
Bob: They provided extensive support from the time I cleared Customs in Jakarta and until I flew out of the country. Staff members would work late to make revisions in documents so that the new versions would be available the next day. The director's assistant set up appointments for us, and all the staff made their computers available so that we could check e-mail (although time was scarce, forcing us to restrict our time at someone's desk).
E: Were you satisfied with your capacity-building efforts?
Bob: Yes, I think that true skills transfer and capacity-building took place. We not only had an impact on the executive director, but we also impacted board members and the staff. To his credit, the director frequently had all staff members attend our meetings so that they participated in our deliberations step by step. This was not a situation where the director would make decisions and then simply announce them to his staff.
E: Would you recommend this experience to others?
Bob: I deeply enjoyed learning about Indonesia and its many cultures. In the States, Americans hear so much about Muslim hatreds and terrorist notions. My experience in Indonesia as in Uzbekistan reinforced my fundamental belief in the goodness of mankind.
I was evacuated from Uzbekistan as were all the PCVs. At the time, I said I wanted to have another international volunteer experience. This assignment gave me that. The problem is that now I want more and more such experiences!
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| CONGRATULATIONS TO ENCORE SERVICE ON YOUR 1ST ANNIVERSARY! |
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12/4/06
Dear Friends at ENCORE SERVICE,
Congratulations on celebrating your first year anniversary of this promising organization. What a wonderful opportunity for returned PCVs to continue providing their skills and expertise to the needy countries that we all served; the opportunity to make a difference - again.
I for one, welcome such opportunity as a means of utilizing the skills that I took to Peace Corps, as well as the many skills that I have acquired since completing my two Peace Corps assignments. Having passed the torch from my wife and myself (my wife was a two time volunteer in Sierra Leone and Liberia as well) to our daughter (PCV in Jamaica), we both have longed for the opportunity to make a difference again. Hopefully, we will be able to satisfy that longing through your organization.
Again, congratulations and I appreciate your keeping me updated on developments within the ENCORE SERVICE arena.
Jim Alexander
RPCV Sierra Leone (1965-1968) and Liberia (1973-1975)
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| "THE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED WILL STAY WITH ME THROUGHOUT MY CAREER" |
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Jennifer Jones (RPCV Dominican Republic, 02-04) volunteered for two weeks with the Association Promoting Education and Conservation in Amazonia (APECA) in Iquitos, Peru as an organizational development expert. Jennifer continues to help APECA, working with their US based counterparts.
The following is taken from Jennifer's Project Report:
E: How would you assess your work with APECA?
Jennifer: There is no doubt that I was able to accomplish what I was asked to do during the two weeks. In fact, as I write this report, it is clear to me that we far surpassed our original goals. I was afraid that my Spanish had not survived the two-year gap between the Dominican Republic and Peru but, fortunately, the language arrived with me in Peru, intact. Once in the airport at Lima, Spanish easily and quickly became my primary language. Beyond the necessary addition of Peruvian vocabulary, I was absolutely fine.
E: What would you say was your joy and inspiration?
Jennifer: Being an active part in global development is important to me, and it was an honor to participate in the history of an organization such as APECA. I will share my experience with classmates in my Nonprofit Leadership and Administration Masters Degree program. The lessons I have learned will stay with me throughout my career.
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| "FEELING A PART OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY" |
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Patti Bortman (RPCV Romania, 01-04), is a licensed clinical social worker, and traveled to Armenia for three weeks to work with Warm Hearth and Mission Armenia. Prior to her departure, Patti said: "I'm totally excited to be doing this! I never could have done it if I hadn't been a PCV. I learned that when out of my comfort zone and with things beyond my control that somehow the "universe" will provide."
The following answers are taken from Patti's Project Report.
E!: What is your overall assessment of the the project?
Patti: I think I was able to assist Friends of Warm Hearth in accomplishing the goals and objectives that are within my area of expertise as a clinical social worker. I do think that skills transfer and capacity building took place and hopefully they will be sustainable.
E: Do you have any recommendations?
Patti: The only recommendation that comes to mind for future projects would be to provide more funding for the volunteers. I believe this is already happening in current and future projects. While I wouldn't trade this experience for the world and would do it again in a heartbeat,it was a bit of a financial strain. And I think that the expense would prevent some very qualified volunteers from serving.
E: What impact did this experience have on you personally?
Patti: While at times it felt like I was dropped on another planet and had to hit the ground running, it was enormously satisfying to realize that I could make an impact in such a short period of time.
It also reminded me of what I loved about being a Peace Corps Volunteer-living in the moment, relying on my own internal resources, feeling a part of the world community, using my skills in a way I think truly made a difference . I definitely want to be able to keep having these experiences in the future. Count me in!?
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| RESPONSE TO ENCORE SERVICE KICK-OFF, SUMMER 2006 |
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Since debuting at the National Peace Corps Association meeting in Chicago in August 2004 more than 940 RPCVs and former Peace Corps staff members have joined the ENCORE SERVICE talent pool. We've established some terrific partnerships and are developing a diverse range of volunteer project assignments. We're also generating tremendous support and interest! Read what folks are saying:
"I am so glad that you are getting projects off the ground! Please keep me posted on future projects! I can't do these [projects] in 2006 (because I will be in Niger, West Africa, where I was a PCV), but am definitely interested for the future. I'm also going to share this with other RPCV friends."-- Pamela White (Niger, 1969-1970)
"This all sounds exciting, sort of a throwback to the heady days when we left for Peace Corps training...Once you get the volunteer bug, it's hard to cure." -- Ed Lynch (Ethiopia-Eritrea, 1963-65)
"I would love to be involved. My experience in Peace Corps shaped who I am now and what I want to be in the future." -- Sara Wehter (Lesotho, 2000-02)
"I'm very flexible, few obligations and many interests! This seems like a great idea." -- Linda Muir (Jamaica, 1993-95)
"I think that ENCORE SERVICE is a wonderful idea and I hope to be able to participate... Go for it!" -- Marlyn Klee (Cote d'Ivoire, 1962-64)
"My wife and I joined The Peace Corps after retiring in 1995. I had been an aeronautical engineer and she had been an elementary school teacher. We both taught English in Ukrainian public schools. We have traveled back to Ukraine five times since completing our Peace Corps service in 1997. We are both interested in getting involved with short term, Peace Corps type service." -- John & Tommie Soileau (Ukraine, 1995-97)
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