2007.03.01: March 1, 2007: Headlines: COS - Guatemala: Hispanic Issues: Alamogordo Daily News: Ronny Diaz served in Peace Corps from 1979 to 1981 and found his roots in Guatemala
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2007.03.01: March 1, 2007: Headlines: COS - Guatemala: Hispanic Issues: Alamogordo Daily News: Ronny Diaz served in Peace Corps from 1979 to 1981 and found his roots in Guatemala
Ronny Diaz served in Peace Corps from 1979 to 1981 and found his roots in Guatemala
Diaz managed to survive Central America. He first traveled to Costa Rica, where he immersed himself in an intensive, rigorous three-month Spanish course. Diaz said he lived with a family who didn't speak English. "I learned enough Spanish to survive," Diaz said. Then, he moved to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. His job involved teaching farmers soil conservation methods. In his time away from home, his way of life in the United States seemed to follow him around. As a young boy, Diaz helped on his grandfather's 43-acre farm. The Peace Corps assigned him to a soil conservation project due to his farming experience. Diaz was able to use his journalism experience as well. He was featured in a documentary, "Marco de San Marcos," which revolved around the work of Peace Corps volunteers. But, Diaz said, the most rewarding benefit of his Peace Corps tour was finding his soul mate, his wife of 25 years, Sonia Edith. A friend introduced them and, Diaz said, they connected immediately. "I noticed his sincerity and his heart," his wife, Sonia, said. "That's why I fell in love with him." Diaz' wife doesn't speak English and they both speak Spanish at home. They have two daughters, Raquel, 24, and Daniela, 22. "Meeting her was the highlight of my whole experience," he said.
Ronny Diaz served in Peace Corps from 1979 to 1981 and found his roots in Guatemala
Ronny Diaz served in Peace Corps to search for his roots
Alamogordo Daily News
By Cristina Ramirez, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/01/2007 12:00:00 AM MST
Ronny Diaz, recruiter for the Child Youth and Families Department, served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1979 to 1981 in Central America. During that time, Diaz met his soul mate, wife of 25 years, Sonia Edith.
Ronny Diaz, an Alamogordo native in search of his Latino roots, joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Central America.
Two years in the Corps gave Diaz more than he had ever expected.
He returned home in better touch with his heritage, speaking a second language and accompanied by his soul mate.
Diaz was born and raised in Alamogordo. He attended Alamogordo High School and attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in social work, with a minor in journalism.
But, after graduation, he wanted to learn Spanish and more about his Latino roots.
He joined the Peace Corps in 1979 and served two years in Central America. Overall, he said the experience was "truly the hardest job you'll ever love."
The Peace Corps was officially established March 1, 1961, by then-Sen. John F. Kennedy. Diaz is one of the more than 187,000 volunteers to date who have gone to 139 host countries.
The Corps has three goals: to help countries in need of trained men and women; promote a better understanding of Americans; and help Americans understand other countries and their respective people.
Diaz said Americans were generally accepted when he served in Central America.
"We as a people were very respected," he said.
But he does remember one occasion in which he was searched by soldiers and led out of a cafe with his hands up. Diaz said that's the only time he felt fear during his stay in Central America.
"The hardest thing is getting over your homesickness," he said.
He said volunteers leave their way of life behind, including the simplest of necessities, such as hot water.
"You are basically going to a Third World country," Diaz said. "You live in isolated, primitive villages."
Diaz managed to survive Central America. He first traveled to Costa Rica, where he immersed himself in an intensive, rigorous three-month Spanish course. Diaz said he lived with a family who didn't speak English.
"I learned enough Spanish to survive," Diaz said.
Then, he moved to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. His job involved teaching farmers soil conservation methods.
In his time away from home, his way of life in the United States seemed to follow him around.
As a young boy, Diaz helped on his grandfather's 43-acre farm. The Peace Corps assigned him to a soil conservation project due to his farming experience.
Diaz was able to use his journalism experience as well. He was featured in a documentary, "Marco de San Marcos," which revolved around the work of Peace Corps volunteers.
But, Diaz said, the most rewarding benefit of his Peace Corps tour was finding his soul mate, his wife of 25 years, Sonia Edith. A friend introduced them and, Diaz said, they connected immediately.
"I noticed his sincerity and his heart," his wife, Sonia, said. "That's why I fell in love with him."
Diaz' wife doesn't speak English and they both speak Spanish at home. They have two daughters, Raquel, 24, and Daniela, 22.
"Meeting her was the highlight of my whole experience," he said.
Diaz returned to Alamogordo with his wife in 1981 and reintroduced himself to Alamogordo.
Diaz is known for his radio show, "Ronny Diaz Live," where he interviews community members.
Now, Diaz is a recruiter for Children Youth and Families Department.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: March, 2007; Peace Corps Guatemala; Directory of Guatemala RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Guatemala RPCVs; Hispanic Issues
When this story was posted in April 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: Alamogordo Daily News
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Guatemala; Hispanic Issues
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