April 4, 2004 - Santa Fe New Mexican: Chile RPCV Kevin Myers readjusts to life in Santa Fe

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Chile: Peace Corps Chile : The Peace Corps In Chile: April 4, 2004 - Santa Fe New Mexican: Chile RPCV Kevin Myers readjusts to life in Santa Fe

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-178-137.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.178.137) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 10:12 pm: Edit Post

Chile RPCV Kevin Myers readjusts to life in Santa Fe

Chile RPCV Kevin Myers readjusts to life in Santa Fe

Chile RPCV Kevin Myers readjusts to life in Santa Fe

Kevin Myers, 38, expected to be a teacher in La Serena, Chile, from 1995-1997, but ended up serving as a hydrologist for the Chilean Environmental Protection Agency -- researching river ecology, irrigation-dam placement and copper-mine developments.

He worked with youth scout troops and orphans picking up trash near rivers in his free time.

Myers, of Santa Fe, is now a hydrologist for the Ground Water Quality Bureau of the New Mexico Environment Department.

Myers said 25 percent of Chile's population is still living below the poverty level, and although children attend public elementary schools, many kids work throughout the night collecting cardboard to sell for recycling.

"Hector would zip in and out of shops and stack the cardboard on modified bikes," Myers said, referring to a 12-year-old boy whom he tutored. "His step-father was also out there (collecting cardboard) for money, and Hector definitely had to be there every night."

He said that unlike here, where many people who are living in poverty have some support from charities and governmental organizations, people in Chile have no place to turn.

Although the volunteers were often frustrated by societal, political and cultural barriers that prevented them from helping more people in the community, they have no qualms about returning to their volunteer countries again.




Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Santa Fe New Mexican

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Chile

PCOL10773
08

.


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: