PC apologizes for the "Kasama incident" The District Commissioner for the Kasama District in Zambia issued a statement banning Peace Corps activities for ‘grave’ social misconduct and unruly behavior for an incident that occurred on September 24 involving 13 PCVs. Peace Corps said that some of the information put out about the incident was "inflammatory and false." On October 12, Country Director Davy Morris met with community leaders and apologized for the incident. All PCVs involved have been reprimanded, three are returning home, and a ban in the district has since been lifted. |
By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-66-59.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.66.59) on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 9:36 pm: Edit Post |
The Times of Zambia (Ndola) reports that Charles Mulenga, director of Amnesty International Zambia (AIZ) says that his organization has condemned the misconduct by some American Peace Corps volunteers in Kasama who allegedly urinated into a water tank and uttered racial abuse
AIZ director Charles Mulenga said the behaviour should be condemned by everyone and welcomed the action by the organisation to withdraw the concerned volunteers. The Peace Corps was a renowned international organisation that commanded a lot of respect from communities and Government. It was only appropriate that the volunteers were withdrawn because it was imperative that the Peace Corps's image was restored.
The Times of Zambia (Ndola) reports that Charles Mulenga, director of Amnesty International Zambia (AIZ) says that his organization has condemned the misconduct by some American Peace Corps volunteers in Kasama who allegedly urinated into a water tank and uttered racial abuse
American Peace Corps Misconduct Condemned
The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
October 7, 2005
Posted to the web October 7, 2005
AMNESTY International Zambia (AIZ) has condemned the misconduct by some American Peace Corps volunteers in Kasama who allegedly urinated into a water tank and uttered racial abuse.
AIZ director Charles Mulenga said the behaviour should be condemned by everyone and welcomed the action by the organisation to withdraw the concerned volunteers.
Mr Mulenga said racism had no place in any society and could not be tolerated by Zambians.
The Peace Corps was a renowned international organisation that commanded a lot of respect from communities and Government.
"It is only expected that people representing such an organisation, conduct themselves accordingly," he said.
It was unfortunate that the volunteers had gone to the extent of urinating in the tank supplying water to the community.
"Water was a vital commodity that the volunteers should not have resorted to urinating into the tank, forcing authorities to suspend water supply for two days," he said.
"The organisation should ensure it reconciles with the local community in order to remove any negative perception people might have developed towards it," he said.
It was only appropriate that the volunteers were withdrawn because it was imperative that the Peace Corps's image was restored.
Kasama district commissioner Stephen Chanda reported to a District Development Co-ordinating Committee (DDCC) meeting that police had picked up some volunteers when they climbed a 100-metre water tank and hurled abuse at locals in Mulenga Hills township.
Lieutenant Colonel Chanda said they also allegedly urinated in the water tank and left obscene graffiti on the tank.
When this story was posted in September 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:Read the stories and leave your comments.
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First and foremost, Give. Carol Bellamy says "In situations such as this one, money is needed the most" and added that Hurricane Katrina's impact on New Orleans is comparable to last year's tsunami. Thailand RPCV Thomas Tighe's Direct Relief International has committed an initial $250,000 in cash to assist hurricane victims. Mayor Tom Murphy (RPCV Paraguay) says Pittsburgh is ready to embrace refugees from devastated areas. Mark Shriver of Save the Children says it will assist rural communities it serves in rebuilding. Brazil RPCV Robert Backus is among the first Vermont doctors to volunteer to travel to Louisiana to treat victims. Ohio Governor Bob Taft (RPCV Tanzania) says students displaced by "Katrina" can enroll in Ohio Colleges and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (RPCV Tunisia) is sending soldiers to help residents of Louisiana. Do you know what it means to lose New Orleans? Contact your local Red Cross to Volunteer.
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The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their reserve military obligations after active duty by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" and RPCV Chris Matthews leads the debate on "Hardball." Latest: Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. RPCVs: Read our poll results.
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When the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger.
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By mmhanna650@pol.net (cpe-72-230-108-196.twcny.res.rr.com - 72.230.108.196) on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 8:45 pm: Edit Post |
I was applying for job PO Medical officer this year, I am cofident that I am well qualified to meet the requirments of this job . yet the committee that interviewed me by phone refused my application I believe strongly that their decision was clouded by discrimination because of my age and national origin i hope somebody investigate this case of flgrent discrimination. .Mounir M. Hanna, M.d.