July 8, 2004: Headlines: COS - Guatemala: Recruitment: Agroforestry: Elburn Herald: Michael Dane served in Guatemala between 1993 and 1996, working with farmers on soil conservation and other "agroforestry" issues in a country where most of the farms exist on the sides of mountains

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Guatemala: Peace Corps Guatemala: The Peace Corps in Guatemala: July 8, 2004: Headlines: COS - Guatemala: Recruitment: Agroforestry: Elburn Herald: Michael Dane served in Guatemala between 1993 and 1996, working with farmers on soil conservation and other "agroforestry" issues in a country where most of the farms exist on the sides of mountains

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-22-73.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.22.73) on Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 10:08 pm: Edit Post

Michael Dane served in Guatemala between 1993 and 1996, working with farmers on soil conservation and other "agroforestry" issues in a country where most of the farms exist on the sides of mountains

Michael Dane served in Guatemala between 1993 and 1996, working with farmers on soil conservation and other agroforestry issues in a country where most of the farms exist on the sides of mountains

Michael Dane served in Guatemala between 1993 and 1996, working with farmers on soil conservation and other "agroforestry" issues in a country where most of the farms exist on the sides of mountains

Local residents to share their Peace Corps experiences

by Susan O'Neill

To former Sugar Grove resident Michael Dane, going overseas had nothing to do with guns, bullets, terrorism or fear for personal safety. For Dane, it meant working with farmers and trying to help food grow in areas where nature isn't as friendly as it is in northern Illinois.

Dane, a Peace Corps recruiter, will be joined by other former Peace Corps volunteers from the area in hosting a meeting to describe the Peace Corps experience. A short 15-minute video will be followed by presentations by former volunteers on their experience, and explanation of the benefits of serving, as well as the basics for how to apply.

The informational meeting will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 13 in Room 131, Building A at Waubonsee Community College

Dane said that holding a meeting this far west is a first for the Chicago Midwestern region Peace Corp office, because the group usually conducts big city blitzes. Budget cuts have caused them to focus their recruitment efforts in the Chicago area, and he said it is turning out to be a real grass-roots effort, with local churches, newspapers, farm bureaus and YMCAs, as well as book stores and restaurants in the area getting the word out about the meeting.

Dane, who still travels to Sugar Grove to mow his mom's lawn on Ka-De-Ka Road, said he looks forward to sharing his Peace Corps experience with others in the area. Dane served in Guatemala between 1993 and 1996, working with farmers on soil conservation and other "agroforestry" issues in a country where most of the farms exist on the sides of mountains.

Soil erosion was a big problem that he encountered while there. Wood was scarce, and the people used firewood to cook with, because they had no gas or electric service. Dane said he worked with farmers on a concept called "live fencing" as a way to deal with the problem. This method consisted of planting trees around the perimeter of the property, and as the trees grew taller, stretching wire from one tree to the next to create a fence.

He helped plant other trees in and among the coffee plants for shade and fertilizer, as well. Last year, he went back to visit the small town where he served a decade ago, and he said it was gratifying to see the same trees now 30 to 35 feet tall.

"There's nothing like it (the Peace Corps)," he said. "You live in the community and you become part of the community. It's probably one of the best things I've ever done."

Dane has been a recruiter for the past two years, and said it is easy to get carried away with his enthusiasm for the program.

"I get to "sell" something I believe in," he said.

Another Sugar Grove resident and former Peace Corps volunteer, Jim Dodd, will be on hand to tell of his experiences with the Peace Corps in Malaysia in the 1960s. Donna Soderquist from St. Charles, Aurora mayoral candidate Tom Weisner and Robin Lange from Batavia are also slated for a presentation on their time as Peace Corps volunteers. Blair Alexander from rural Elburn/Maple Park, although not scheduled to present, will attend the meeting and will be available for conversation afterwards about her experiences with the Peace Corps.

The Peace Corps, created in 1961, currently has 7,500 volunteers in 71 countries. Volunteers share their skills and knowledge in activities as diverse as teaching students how to read, establishing computer learning centers and promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. In May 2003, the Peace Corps was able to add 1,000 volunteers to those already working to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa, due to the Global AIDS Relief Package passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush.

In addition to helping people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, the other two of the three original Peace Corps goals are to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of peoples served and to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

If that seemed a good idea in 1961, it sure still seems like one today.

For more information, Dane is available at 1-800-424-8580, or visit the website at www.peacecorps.gov.




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Story Source: Elburn Herald

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Guatemala; Recruitment; Agroforestry

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