2006.11.14: November 14, 2006: Headlines: COS - Malaysia: Return to our Country of Service - Malaysia: New Straits Times: It has been 41 years since American nurse Karen Pettigrew stayed in Kota Siputih in Kampung Lindungan Puteri Bulan as a member of the Peace Corps
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2006.11.14: November 14, 2006: Headlines: COS - Malaysia: Return to our Country of Service - Malaysia: New Straits Times: It has been 41 years since American nurse Karen Pettigrew stayed in Kota Siputih in Kampung Lindungan Puteri Bulan as a member of the Peace Corps
It has been 41 years since American nurse Karen Pettigrew stayed in Kota Siputih in Kampung Lindungan Puteri Bulan as a member of the Peace Corps
Karen describes her stint in the village clinic in 1965 as life-changing. "It was the most important experience of my life. My life and that of my children would be different if not for that experience. I’m glad that I got to communicate and be involved in such an exchange of culture," said Karen at the house of the late Abdul Kadir Ahmad.
It has been 41 years since American nurse Karen Pettigrew stayed in Kota Siputih in Kampung Lindungan Puteri Bulan as a member of the Peace Corps
Nurse returns after 41 years
14 Nov 2006
JITRA: It has been 41 years since American nurse Karen Pettigrew stayed in a village here as a member of the Peace Corps.
The 62-year-old recently visited the family she had stayed with.
"It’s important to learn about other cultures and other countries. It changed my perception on life," she said.
Karen describes her stint in the village clinic in 1965 as life-changing.
"It was the most important experience of my life. My life and that of my children would be different if not for that experience.
"I’m glad that I got to communicate and be involved in such an exchange of culture," said Karen at the house of the late Abdul Kadir Ahmad.
Abdul Kadir’s father, Ahmad Taha, was the village’s "Tok Mudim" — a person who performs circumcision — and had provided Karen and her other Peace Corps friends a wooden house to stay.
Karen and her husband Rodney decided to visit the kampung after attending an obstetrician and gynaecology conference which ended in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
Visiting Kota Siputih in Kampung Lindungan Puteri Bulan, about 20km from Jitra, was an opportunity for Karen to catch up with Abdul Kadir’s family.
The villagers used to call her "Cik Putih" because her maiden name was White.
Karen said she was inspired by the late US President John F. Kennedy to join the Peace Corps.
"He was an inspiration to all. He was a breath of fresh air and as a nursing student, I wanted to do something with my life."
Karen has instilled the same passion in her two daughters Erin, 25, and Jessica, 23.
Jessica is studying nursing and midwifery at Yale University.
Erin also joined the Peace Corps and had served in Mauritania in northern Africa.
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Headlines: November, 2006; COS - Malaysia; Directory of Malaysia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Malaysia RPCVs; Return to our Country of Service - Malaysia
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Story Source: New Straits Times
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Malaysia; Return to our Country of Service - Malaysia
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