Andrew Homan left the United States last month to begin his two-year assignment as an English teacher in Tonga



Andrew Homan left the United States last month to begin his two-year assignment as an English teacher in Tonga

New Albany resident answers call, joins Peace Corps

By RONI MONTGOMERY - Tribune Lifestyle Editor

Andrew Homan knew he would miss his family, friends and hometown when he joined the Peace Corps. But the opportunity to help people in need was an offer he couldn't refuse.

"This will satisfy my sense of doing something good and positive -- my civic duty," the 24-year-old New Albany resident said. "And I'm sure I'll benefit from it in many ways. There's no telling what I'll learn from this experience."

Homan graduated from New Albany High School in 1998. He attended Indiana University Southeast, where he graduated with degrees in political science, Spanish and psychology in 2003. He spent the past year as the associate children's librarian at the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library and assistant producer for "State of Affairs" on 89.3 WFPL.

"I weighed the decision of starting a career or doing this," Homan said. "A career is going to be here when I get back. If I'm going to do this, I should do it now."

Homan left the United States last month to begin his two-year assignment as an English teacher in Tonga. The country is a string of 176 coral and volcanic islands in the South Pacific. Only 36 of the islands are inhabited.

"My primary assignment is working with children -- teaching them English and computer skills, but I'll have secondary assignments as well," he said. "From what I understand, Tonga has a huge youth population and not enough teachers. They suffer from poverty of opportunity. I'm so excited to do something positive and to give back to society -- this opportunity is the perfect marriage of the two."

Applying for a position in the Peace Corps was an extensive process for Homan.

"It seemed like I filled out a million papers. The application process was long and a health examination was required," he said. "I had to send them aspiration statements and background information so they could select a position for me. They gave me seven regions in the world to pick from, and I selected them all."

Homan said he was very pleased with the assignment in Tonga.

"I can't believe I'm going to be living here for the next two years," he said in a recent e-mail to his family and friends. "The island is lovely and the people are remarkable."

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

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December 10, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable 9 Dec RPCV Blake Willeford runs classic movie theatre 9 Dec RPCV says education is key to curbing AIDS 9 Dec RPCV Dannielle Tegeder opens exhibition 9 Dec Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club 9 Dec "Today we have a new country" says Toledo 9 Dec DDN wins Investigative Reporting Award 8 Dec Celeste on Panel to study Colorado finances 8 Dec RPCV leads Rotary Club medical team to Togo 6 Dec Vasquez to speak at Hawaii, Wisconsin commencements 6 Dec Tom Murphy warns Pittsburgh on budget abyss 2 Dec Venezuela RPCV Martha Egan runs Pachamama imports 30 Nov more top stories...

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RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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