2011.02.10: February 10, 2011: Niger RPCV Heather Mangan was in Egypt during the protests but she says in the beginning, she never imagined things would get this big
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2011.02.10: February 10, 2011: Niger RPCV Heather Mangan was in Egypt during the protests but she says in the beginning, she never imagined things would get this big
Niger RPCV Heather Mangan was in Egypt during the protests but she says in the beginning, she never imagined things would get this big
"It was really incredible because we didn't think it would amount to that much, we thought it would be just a couple days of protests, and to be a part of it, and I understand its a troubling time for Egypt," said Heather Mangan. "It was interesting because you would watch the news and see all of these people that were really unhappy, then I would talk to Egyptians who really liked him, and they felt safe and secure with him, and they didn't want him to go," said Magnan. "It was really interesting to see what the power of the people can do and to see the passion people had, whether it was for change or for the current administration. That was really inspiring, because I think sometimes as citizens we don't feel we have a voice and Egypt has definitely proved that they do," said Magnan. "I'm into the story now. I'm part of because I was there I saw it, and Egyptians hold a piece of my heart right now," said Magnan.
Niger RPCV Heather Mangan was in Egypt during the protests but she says in the beginning, she never imagined things would get this big
Egypt's President Passes Power: South Dakotan Shares Story of Time in Egypt
by Krystle Kacner
February 10, 2011 5:48 PM
Caption: Saturday, 12 February 2011, Day 1 Freedom - Victory in Tahrir Square Photo: Darla Hueske Flickr Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Egypt's President Hosni Muburak has announced he is transferring power to his vice president, but will not step down until after the elections this fall.
After 17 days of protests calling for his resignation, the speech left confusion about how much power he retains.
Even before the announcement was made, thousands packed into Cairo's Tahrir Square, celebrating the fact Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will no longer be in power.
South Dakotan Heather Mangan was in Egypt during the protests. She says in the beginning, she never imagined things would get this big.
"It was really incredible because we didn't think it would amount to that much, we thought it would be just a couple days of protests, and to be a part of it, and I understand its a troubling time for Egypt," said Heather Mangan.
Magnan was in Niger for several months working with the Peace Corps. After being evacuated because of political unrest there, she decided to travel to Egypt, where she says she learned a lot during those protests, things, that if she wasn't there, might have passed her by.
"It was interesting because you would watch the news and see all of these people that were really unhappy, then I would talk to Egyptians who really liked him, and they felt safe and secure with him, and they didn't want him to go," said Magnan.
Mangan says she definitely sees both sides, and with this news of Mubarak passing power, can anticipate both pros and cons for the Egyptian people.
"It was really interesting to see what the power of the people can do and to see the passion people had, whether it was for change or for the current administration. That was really inspiring, because I think sometimes as citizens we don't feel we have a voice and Egypt has definitely proved that they do," said Magnan.
And even if it wasn't the exact change many were hoping for...It is one step.
However, even though President Mubarak transferred authority to his Vice President, he vows to stay on as president until elections next fall.
"I'm into the story now. I'm part of because I was there I saw it, and Egyptians hold a piece of my heart right now," said Magnan.
President Obama says America will continue to support a transition to democracy in Egypt.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: February, 2011; Peace Corps Niger; Directory of Niger RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Niger RPCVs; Politics; Egypt
When this story was posted in February 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
| Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal The Peace Corps has always neglected the third goal, allocating less than 1% of their resources to "bringing the world back home." Senator Dodd addressed this issue in the "Peace Corps for the 21st Century" bill passed by the US Senate and Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter proposed a "Peace Corps Foundation" at no cost to the US government. Both are good approaches but the recent "Comprehensive Assessment Report" didn't address the issue of independent funding for the third goal at all. |
| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Niger; Politics; Egypt
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