Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Nina Brewer can be contacted at gofoxieacharterdnet
Country of Service: Brazil
Training Group: Milwaukee, WI; Indianhead, WI; Camp Olympia, MI
Cities you served in: Itabaiana, Sergipe
Arrival Year: 1968
Departure Year: 1970
Work Description:
Midwifery and midwife training in 40-bed maternidade. Pulic health education. TEFL in local ginasio.
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
1971, Taught school in MO.
1972, Recruited and persuaded by Joao MacGregor to take a postion on the Hospital Ship HOPE, Natal, RGN
After retuning from Natal, completed MA in Counseling Psych while working in N.M. in field of rehabilitation. 35-year career in psych, rehab, staff development & training. Specialized in psych and medical aspects of disability, prevention of sexual harassment. Retired in N.M in 2002, returned to St. Louis, MO in 2003. Now involved in community volunteerism; organizing for the "worldcan'twait" initiative. Recently helped mobilize a demonstration in downtown STL against the Bush Administration, carried a picket sign, and gave a speech. Had a guy in a car call me a "f*****g whore" who should "get off the street!" Just affirmed the reason I WAS on the street. Free speech, and all. Have had two mantras all my life: Learning is life-long and Learn something new every day. And now I have added a personal one: "I am 60, Savvy and Mad as Hell!"
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
PC service, a jr. high school girl's dream, became a reality that led to a second dreams fulfillment, service on the ship HOPE. PC experience was my affirmation that one person can make a difference; that people the world over want the same things -- peace, safety, life's necessities, and a chance to raise their children in a free society. Unlike some other RPCV's who left jaded and angry about having been "used" by a war-oriented administration in Washington, I have always felt I had a balanced, fair and realistic experience. It affirmed everything about the goodness of people, the importance of living a religious faith, and helping people in need find their way along life's road. Peace Corps was my personal corner stone. And I have always felt that the vols in our group were the most articulate, committed, and funniest people I have ever known.
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
There are people about whose post-PC lives I would like to know about: Suzanna F. from Breijo Grande; Paul L. from PC training; Joana K. who left, returned, and left again; Jaime Grande who got sucked into a Cabolco story by me and Juca Sego; Breno ("e quem save? tal vez pousso voltar ao Brasil e tirar uma mouca braisleira")* can play the drums) Carden; and endless-smoking Gregorio of Itabaina who famously stated, "If he won't let go on vacation, I'll just start a demonstration!"
*And anyone who was at the Yacht Clube at his despedida in Aracaju that night, can tell about the immediate shock and following hilarious laughter. Um momento na historia da gente.
Any message for returned volunteers?:
When you go to the polls, let the Washington administration know that we came out of the sixties for a reason. Tell our young people that Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are NOT the mentors they want for a life of service, volunteer or otherwise.
Originally posted: October 24, 2006
