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abby snyder (snyderabi)
New member
Username: snyderabi

Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2009
Posted From: 98.225.158.186
Posted on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 8:38 am:   

Hi! My name is Abby. I have been invited to serve in Togo as a volunteer in natural resource management. I am looking for any advice that would help prepare me for this experience. You can email me at snyder.abi@gmail.com Hope to hear from someone soon!
Hank Miller
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 69.107.72.96
Posted on Tuesday, June 02, 2009 - 12:08 pm:   

forget Africa. lost cause. read Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari which speaks the truth. NGO's have been wasting precious time and money in Africa for decades and look at it now. Still corrupt regimes, famines, murders, pirates, wars, refugees. Volunteer where you will reap the rewards: Eastern Europe, some Pacific Island Groups, South America, Some SE Asia countries and NOT China.
Joanne Roll
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 172.190.70.186
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 10:53 am:   

Abby, there is a book written 25 years ago by a Volunteer who served in Togo. The title is: The Village of Waiting by George Packer. A more recent book about Cote d' Ivoire, or Ivory Coast, which is a country close to Togo, written by a Volunteer, Sarah Erdman, is Nine Hills to Nambonkaha.
Sergei Heurlin (sergei)
New member
Username: sergei

Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2009
Posted From: 71.106.8.172
Posted on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 12:33 am:   

Be sure to read the posts in
www.peacecorpsjournals.com

You'll never regret your tour.

Don't expect miracles, they're not required.
Jesse Osmun
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 76.195.235.191
Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 11:04 am:   

I read Dark Star Safari as well.. while it speaks truth, I take issue with Hank's assertion that Africa is a "lost cause". The idea that Africa is hopeless is insulting to Africa and a stereotype that has been perpetuated far too long- Africa can't help itself, it's lost, only we ( or Bono, or Oprah, or charity) can save it, etc. It's only a lost cause if Africans let it be that way, and there are many African intellectuals and entrepreneurs who are determined not to let that happen. Realistically, Peace Corps volunteers will not impact huge sweeping change, but small, measurable and sustainable impact are things you CAN do as a Peace Corps volunteer.

I would advise you to evaluate what you have to offer and what the invite has to offer you back and make an informed decision.

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