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.

Zambia Peace Corps Volunteer Purely Crazy says: Yes, it did in fact happen, and yes, it was a VERY, VERY poor choice made by the PCVs, but it was in no way done to be malicious.



Negative and derogitory comments about Zambians were not made, nor "yelled" as the article reports. The volunteers climbed on top of the water tower, which they did often, and spray painted, "Kasama, fuck yeah". They wrote this to mimic a movie (I can't think of which one) and because they LOVED being in Kasama... not because they were trying to be disrespectful. PS The volunteers didn't pee in the water!! Water is a very sacred resource in Zambia and any (perceived) contamination of water is viewed as national terrorism. That is why this is SUCH a big deal.

Zambia Peace Corps Volunteer Purely Crazy says: Yes, it did in fact happen, and yes, it was a VERY, VERY poor choice made by the PCVs, but it was in no way done to be malicious.

Alright, I would like to shed a bit of light to this situation...

Yes, it did in fact happen, and yes, it was a VERY, VERY poor choice made by the PCVs, but it was in no way done to be malicious.

PCZ has (now, had) provincial meetings ever quarter. We have provincial houses (1 in each of the 8 provinces where volunteers serve) so that volunteers can go someplace to regroup, refresh, and be "American" whenever they need to, for a few days at time... usually talking to the PCVL and sometimes seeing other volunteers from the province. Every quarter volunteers come into the house to make decisions, talk about how their programs are going and to receive updates. After the meetings, the house generally turns into a bit of a party zone-- themed parties, drinking, beer cricket, etc. 99% of the time it's safe, fun, responsible and nothing dramatic or unrulely happens. It's a time of celebration. This happens to be an incident that falls in to the other 1%.

Negative and derogitory comments about Zambians were not made, nor "yelled" as the article reports. The volunteers climbed on top of the water tower, which they did often, and spray painted, "Kasama, fuck yeah". They wrote this to mimic a movie (I can't think of which one) and because they LOVED being in Kasama... not because they were trying to be disrespectful.

Regardless of the reasons the PVCs did what they did, there's no excuse or justification. So please don't comment saying that I am!! I'm just trying to explain the situation a bit more.

PS The volunteers didn't pee in the water!! Water is a very sacred resource in Zambia and any (perceived) contamination of water is viewed as national terrorism. That is why this is SUCH a big deal.

Poor Dave Morris! He's such a wonderful country director! I feel horrile that he is taking the brunt of this.

(Reply to this)

When this story was posted in October 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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'Celebration of Service' a major success The Peace Corps Fund's 'Celebration of Service' on September 29 in New York City was a major success raising approximately $100,000 for third goal activities. In the photo are Maureen Orth (Colombia); John Coyne (Ethiopia) Co-founder of the Peace Corps Fund; Caroline Kennedy; Barbara Anne Ferris (Morocco) Co-founder; Former Senator Harris Wofford, member of the Advisory Board. Read the story here.

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Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military 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." Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. Read the results of our poll among RPCVs. Latest: Congressman John Kline introduces legislation to alter the program to remove the Peace Corps as an option for completing an individual’s military enlistment requirement.

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Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in danger 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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Top Stories: October 10, 2005 Carl Pope says the looting of America has only begun 2 Oct Report of PCV Misconduct in Zambia 7 Oct Chic Dambach speaks in Oklahoma 6 Oct Murphy to give papers to Heinz museum 6 Oct Mike Honda speaks out on Katrina 5 Oct Kinky Friedman could be the next governor of Texas 5 Oct Peter McPherson urges new nuclear weapon designs 5 Oct Doyle and Green in dead heat for Wisconsin Governor 5 Oct NPCA Membership Directory ready in late November 5 Oct GOP hopefuls avoiding Taft 4 Oct Ask not 4 Oct Russell Carollo wins journalism prize for "The Toll of War" 4 Oct Mark Gearan says provision was a mistake 4 Oct Mike Tidwell says Bayou has been sinking for years 3 Oct Carl Pope writes: Preparing for Global Warming 3 Oct Director Vasquez Meets with Volunteers in Gulf Coast 3 Oct John McCain's call to service 3 Oct Joshua Berman wins Lowell Thomas Travel Writing Award 2 Oct Operation Offset proposes freeze in Peace Corps Funding 1 Oct

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Returned Volunteers respond to Hurricane Katrina First and foremost, Give. Then volunteer with the Crisis Corps. 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. Brazil RPCV Robert Backus is among the first Vermont doctors to volunteer to travel to Louisiana to treat victims. Latest: FEMA requests RPCVs to assist in recovery efforts through the Crisis Corps and the Peace Corps hopes to send 400 RPCVs to the Gulf Coast for short term assignments to assist victims with their applications for federal aid.

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By Zambian from Kasama (221.201.169.95) on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 2:08 am: Edit Post

This is in response to the PCV incident in Kasama, Zambia.
I doubt that Hollywood nor bollywood or any other movie industry has used "kasama, fuck yeah" in a movie, Zambians are not stupid people and thus even in the remotest areas, a zambian will know when they are being insulted. If those guys loved being in kasama, they would also have known better than to behave in such a manner. I am certain the PC taught them better than that, so there is no need in shedding any more light, the PCV messed up and no excuses should be made. Zambians have a good sense of humor, we do, so next time you get drunk and feel like letting out some steam out, call your embassy or your director. "Water is a scarce commodity in Zambia", Not really, so as to cause such a huge fuss over the incident. Urine is urine, if you understood our culture, it would not have been done. Kasama may not be Boston, but it is our city and our hometown and considering our history, it would be wise that you refrain from making such remaks ever again. It would have been taken lightly if at all the remark came from a fellow zambian, preferably a 'mbuya'.

By Anonymous (rrcs-24-172-59-65.midsouth.biz.rr.com - 24.172.59.65) on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 9:37 am: Edit Post

The movie being referred to here is "Team America: World Police."


"America, Fuck Yeah" is the theme song to the movie. Please see the film to understand the reference.