July 20, 2005: Headlines: COS - Macedonia: Older Volunteers: Los Angeles Times: After running her own consulting and seminar business for 15 years, Marilyn Wheeler decided to take a step back and realize a longtime dream of joining the Peace Corps
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July 20, 2005: Headlines: COS - Macedonia: Older Volunteers: Los Angeles Times: After running her own consulting and seminar business for 15 years, Marilyn Wheeler decided to take a step back and realize a longtime dream of joining the Peace Corps
After running her own consulting and seminar business for 15 years, Marilyn Wheeler decided to take a step back and realize a longtime dream of joining the Peace Corps
"My first three months of living here, I was living in a small village that looked like it came right out of National Geographic," she said. "The lifestyle is very different to ours - the food, work ethics, language, family traditions and life in general. The Peace Corps training is rigorous, and having the support of my host family made it all doable."
After running her own consulting and seminar business for 15 years, Marilyn Wheeler decided to take a step back and realize a longtime dream of joining the Peace Corps
Goodwill Ambassadors
A sense of adventure required for Peace Corps volunteers
By Bob Young
Los Angeles Times
July 20, 2005
They may not fit the typical Peace Corps profile, but Los Angeles County-based Marilyn Wheeler and George Neykov are among the 456 volunteers age 50 and up who are currently abroad, working and spreading goodwill in developing nation. It's only logical, they both agree, that those with the most experience - and often the most free time - would want to share it with those in need.
[Excerpt]
Marilyn Wheeler
After running her own consulting and seminar business for 15 years, Wheeler decided to take a step back and realize a longtime dream of joining the Peace Corps. The divorced 61-year-old grandmother and author of "problem People at Work: The Essential Survival Guide" she felt she had reached a point in her life when she could finally take time to volunteer.
"At 60, I found myself at a crossroad in my life," says the Sherman oaks resident.
"Learning to play golf or just relaxing on the patio would not support me and, regardless, retirement is not my style. The Peace Corps seemed to fulfill all my needs: helping others, adventure, basic living expenses [and] healthcare covered and the opportunity to do something that is unique, especially at my age."
While completing Peace Corps training, Wheeler found herself living with a family and Macedonia, working in Non-Governmental Operations, helping coordinate environmental and health projects, including a national campaign to raise the awareness of the benefits of early cancer detection.
Wheeler's tour of duty, which ends in December, 2006, has been rewarding as well as challenging. She has visited 17 countries and lived in London for a year, but nothing could have prepared her for life in Macedonia.
"My first three months of living here, I was living in a small village that looked like it came right out of National Geographic," she said. "The lifestyle is very different to ours - the food, work ethics, language, family traditions and life in general. The Peace Corps training is rigorous, and having the support of my host family made it all doable."
It takes about a year to become adjusted to living in the Third World country, Wheeler said, and about one to two years to re-adjust after coming back home. When she returns she anticipates being overwhelmed with the crush of sound, traffic and modern conveniences.
However, the rewards outweigh the difficulties.
"With perseverance and patience, who knows what spark, might be ignited in the life of another," she said.
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Story Source: Los Angeles Times
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Macedonia; Older Volunteers
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