Brian Lower began his two-year Peace Corps service with a farmer's co-operative in the town of Christiana in Manchester



"Two of the most striking things you learn about the people of this country are firstly the willingness to work long, hard hours and secondly that there is no lack of brain power. Consequently, I have spent most of my energy here helping give voice to Jamaican solutions to address Jamaican issues, rather than bringing outside solutions in. It is mostly a case of helping bridge the gap between the individual and the information they need."

Brian Lower began his two-year Peace Corps service with a farmer's co-operative in the town of Christiana in Manchester

My experience
published: Saturday | February 25, 2006

Brian Lower, Contributor


Brian Lower (centre) with farmers in Christiana, Manchester.

ABOUT SIX months ago, I began my two-year Peace Corps service with a farmer's co-operative in the town of Christiana in Manchester.

With a background in insurance and also with experience teaching at a primary school in Belize, working in agriculture seemed an odd assignment. "What in the world could I bring to the farmers of central Jamaica?" I asked at the time.

Two of the most striking things you learn about the people of this country are firstly the willingness to work long, hard hours and secondly that there is no lack of brain power. Consequently, I have spent most of my energy here helping give voice to Jamaican solutions to address Jamaican issues, rather than bringing outside solutions in. It is mostly a case of helping bridge the gap between the individual and the information they need.

GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION

An example of this has been the introduction of greenhouse production to rural farmers in Christiana. Through a post-hurricane recovery project ­ Jamaica Business Recovery Programme (JBRP), several large greenhouses had been built to introduce modern farming practices in the area, but all too often technical advancements in agriculture rarely reached the small local rural farmer.

This seemed to be the case again, however the Christiana Potato Growers Co-op Association (www.cpgca.150m.com), is working to help the small farmers incorporate this technology on their farms.

To this end, I helped produce a study to turn the aid-funded model into a self-sustaining business model to attract lending institutions. We are also working on an easier to construct, smaller version of the greenhouse which should prove to be affordable for farmers.

OUTREACH PROGRAMME

I have also started an outreach programme conducting instructional tours of our demonstration farm to high school students. We are trying to reach out to the youth so when they think of agriculture, they think in terms of modern farming methods, rather than the traditional small rural farmer toiling endlessly in the sun all day.

In addition to these activities, I have helped the co-operative develop sound business practices to ensure its survival and commitment to the local farmer.

But all that is only one side of the coin.

GROWING KNOWLEDGE

In the short time I have been here I have learned much more than I have shared. From knowing almost nothing about farming, I am now a source of advice to the local farming community on the subject of greenhouse production of tomato and sweet pepper. My knowledge of the people and communities in this part of the country seems to be growing by leaps and bounds as each week goes by.

Though Jamaica usually brings to mind thoughts of sunshine and sandy beaches, central Jamaica is quite different with its mountains and farms, but just as beautiful and enjoyable in its own way.

When this story was posted in March 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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

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March 1, 1961: Keeping Kennedy's Promise On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order #10924, establishing the Peace Corps as a new agency: "Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed--doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language. But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps--who works in a foreign land--will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace. "

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The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory. New: Sign up to receive PCOL Magazine, our free Monthly Magazine by email. Like to keep up with Peace Corps news as it happens? Sign up to recieve a daily summary of Peace Corps stories from around the world.

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Top Stories: February 2, 2006 Al Kamen writes: Rice to redeploy diplomats 20 Jan Peace Corps mourns the Loss of Volunteer Tessa Horan 1 Feb RPCV pursues dreams in America's Heartland 1 Feb Sargent Shriver documentary to be shown in LA 30 Jan W. Frank Fountain is new board chairman of Africare 27 Jan Abbey Brown writes about acid attacks in Bangladesh 26 Jan Christopher Hill Sees Ray of Hope in N.Korea Standoff 26 Jan Jeffrey Smit writes on one man diplomatic outposts 25 Jan Joe Blatchford's ACCION and microfinance 24 Jan James Rupert writes: A calculated risk in Pakistan 23 Jan Sam Farr rips conservative immigration bill 21 Jan Americans campaign for PC to return to Sierra Leone 20 Jan Kinky Friedman supports Gay Marriage 20 Jan Margaret Krome writes on Women leaders 18 Jan James Walsh leads bipartisan US delegation to Ireland 17 Jan Mark Schneider writes on Elections and Beyond in Haiti 16 Jan Robert Blackwill on a "serious setback" in US-India relations 13 Jan Kevin Quigley writes on PC and U.S. Image Abroad 13 Jan Emily Metzloff rides bicycle 3,100 miles from Honduras 9 Jan Charles Brennick starts operation InterConnection 9 Jan Lee Fisher tells story of Pablo Morillo 7 Jan Nancy Wallace writes: Was PC a CIA front after all? 4 Jan

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Paid Vacations in the Third World? Retired diplomat Peter Rice has written a letter to the Wall Street Journal stating that Peace Corps "is really just a U.S. government program for paid vacations in the Third World." Director Vasquez has responded that "the small stipend volunteers receive during their two years of service is more than returned in the understanding fostered in communities throughout the world and here at home." What do RPCVs think?

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RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace Corps Timothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

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Military Option sparks concerns 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." Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. Read our poll results. Latest: Congress passed a bill on December 22 including language to remove Peace Corps from the National Call to Service (NCS) military recruitment program

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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. Latest: Read the ongoing dialog on the subject.

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PC establishes awards for top Volunteers Gaddi H. Vasquez has established the Kennedy Service Awards to honor the hard work and service of two current Peace Corps Volunteers, two returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and two Peace Corps staff members. The award to currently serving volunteers will be based on a demonstration of impact, sustainability, creativity, and catalytic effect. Submit your nominations by December 9.

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Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong 170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.

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