Botswana Peace Corps Volunteers Brian & Heather write: The biggest highlight of Close of Service was the special luncheon held to honor us, our counterparts and special friends with H.E. President Festus Mogae in attendance



The biggest highlight of the weekend was the special luncheon held to honor us, our counterparts and special friends with H.E. President Festus Mogae in attendance. As a member of the Volunteer Advisory Committee (VAC) for the last two years I was asked to give a speech at the event with the other VAC member Colman Chamberlain. What a great honor for both of us. Everyone was also honored by the remarks made by President Mogae, recognizing the impact Peace Corps Volunteers have made in mitigating the impact of HIV. When you’re working within the government structure on a grassroots level you don’t always know if the impact is being felt outside your immediate circle, so it was nice to be recognized for our effort by the leader of the country.

I was also touched to learn at the luncheon that many of the VIPs in attendance – Sasarwa George, Botswana’s Ambassador to the U.S.; Chris Molomo, director of the National AIDS Coordinating Agency; and Sheila Tlou, Minister of Health – were taught by Peace Corps Volunteers growing up. I doubt that at the time those volunteers knew they were impacting the lives of future ambassadors and ministers so its given me the dream that somebody I’ve worked with will remember Peace Corps when they become a VIP themselves The other, more fun, part of the COS conference is having one last party with the friends you’ve made for the last two years. I had the privilege of being on the COS volunteer committee with another volunteer and planning some of the fun parts of the weekend. We went on an excursion to Mokolodi Nature Reserve for a bush braii (barbeque); had COS t-shirts printed; put together a slideshow with music featuring everyone over the last two years and compiled a mixed CD of local music for everyone to take home. Being together with our friends was definitely a high point of the weekend. There is something special about our training group that we’ve never fully been able to put our fingers on. We lost only five people early during our two years (three at the one-year anniversary and two more in January that we don’t really count as a loss.) Overall we have always had amazing chemistry together, so it was nice to have one last weekend to rekindle the energy of being together.

Botswana Peace Corps Volunteers Brian & Heather write: The biggest highlight of Close of Service was the special luncheon held to honor us, our counterparts and special friends with H.E. President Festus Mogae in attendance

Last week was the close of service (COS) conference for our training group

Caption: Botswana President Festus Mogae

Last week was the close of service (COS) conference for our training group (affectionately referred to as Bots 3). What a surreal experience. I can’t believe how quickly the two years have flown by and that our friends will be leaving in just two months. The conference was also weird for Brian and I because we’re in this strange place where we are still not totally confirmed for extending a third year. (Long story, will explain more later about that.) Therefore we had to pretend like we’re leaving and go through the process of declaring a COS date, start filling out paperwork, etc. What an emotional rollercoaster.

The COS conference is primarily about getting the information you need to get out of the country. There are a ton of things to do like writing a site report and description of service, having a final medical exam, closing bank accounts, returning Peace Corps property, etc. Not to mention the unenviable job of saying goodbye to friends and co-workers. Again, given our uncertain status taking in all the formalities of leaving was difficult for Brian and I; just making us more anxious to have things finally nailed down.

The other, more fun, part of the COS conference is having one last party with the friends you’ve made for the last two years. I had the privilege of being on the COS volunteer committee with another volunteer and planning some of the fun parts of the weekend. We went on an excursion to Mokolodi Nature Reserve for a bush braii (barbeque); had COS t-shirts printed; put together a slideshow with music featuring everyone over the last two years and compiled a mixed CD of local music for everyone to take home. Being together with our friends was definitely a high point of the weekend. There is something special about our training group that we’ve never fully been able to put our fingers on. We lost only five people early during our two years (three at the one-year anniversary and two more in January that we don’t really count as a loss.) Overall we have always had amazing chemistry together, so it was nice to have one last weekend to rekindle the energy of being together.
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The biggest highlight of the weekend was the special luncheon held to honor us, our counterparts and special friends with H.E. President Festus Mogae in attendance. As a member of the Volunteer Advisory Committee (VAC) for the last two years I was asked to give a speech at the event with the other VAC member Colman Chamberlain. What a great honor for both of us. Everyone was also honored by the remarks made by President Mogae, recognizing the impact Peace Corps Volunteers have made in mitigating the impact of HIV. When you’re working within the government structure on a grassroots level you don’t always know if the impact is being felt outside your immediate circle, so it was nice to be recognized for our effort by the leader of the country.

I was also touched to learn at the luncheon that many of the VIPs in attendance – Sasarwa George, Botswana’s Ambassador to the U.S.; Chris Molomo, director of the National AIDS Coordinating Agency; and Sheila Tlou, Minister of Health – were taught by Peace Corps Volunteers growing up. I doubt that at the time those volunteers knew they were impacting the lives of future ambassadors and ministers so its given me the dream that somebody I’ve worked with will remember Peace Corps when they become a VIP themselves.

After our speech the national TV station (BTV) interviewed both Colman and I and showed clips of the interviews during their segment on the luncheon on the evening news. (The news segment was great PR for Peace Corps, explaining what volunteers done and the recognition by the President. Could not pay for better coverage. ) It has been entertaining this week to interact with people I know, because they all saw me on TV! It’s usually, “I saw you on TV, are you leaving?!” Then I have to explain that I’m not really leaving, just moving to Gabs (hopefully.)

Now that COS is over, the whole experience feels like a dream. Seriously, I can’t believe that our friends will be leaving so soon. It is going to be the end of April before we know it. Crazy. Now I’m just hoping that we can have our third year plans worked out by then.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: March, 2007; Peace Corps Botswana; Directory of Botswana RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Botswana RPCVs; Blogs - Botswana; Maryland

When this story was posted in May 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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

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PCOL serves half million PCOL's readership for April exceeded 525,000 visitors - a 50% increase over last year. This year also saw the advent of a new web site: Peace Corps News that together with the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps serve 17,000 RPCVs, Staff, and Friends of the Peace Corps every day. Thanks for making PCOL your source of news for the Peace Corps community. Read more.

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May 2, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Tschetter flew to Manila to support search for missing PCV 15 Apr Michael O'Hanlon writes: A ruthless foe 24 Apr Dodd calls for 'surge of diplomacy' on Iraq 13 Apr Tony Hall works with Opportunity International 22 Apr Mark Gearan Calls for Service, engaged constituency 20 Apr Timothy Obert sentenced in molestation case 20 Apr Moyers indicts news media on Iraq reporting 19 Apr Chris Matthews to moderate May 3 GOP debates 18 Apr Garamendi votes to kill LNG terminal 10 Apr Scheper-Hughes receives William Sloan Coffin Award 7 Apr Petri outraged at Student Loan Corruption 6 Apr Dodd wants to expand Peace Corps to 100,000 4 Apr John Sherman's opera "Biafra" now on web 2 Apr Peter Navarro writes "The Coming China Wars" 30 Mar Carl Pope writes: 2% solution for global warming 28 Mar Philippe Newlin lectures on wine 28 Mar DRI launches program to improve Healthcare in Ghana 26 Mar Gabriela Lena Frank's Compadrazgo debuts in Columbus 26 Mar Reed Hastings appointed to Microsoft Board of Directors 26 Mar Shays supports National Public Service Academy 23 Mar Margaret Krome writes: Peace vigil appropriate response 21 Mar Al Kamen writes: Clinton fired Prosecutors too 21 Mar

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Suspect confesses in murder of PCV Search parties in the Philippines discovered the body of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell near Barangay Batad, Banaue town on April 17. Director Tschetter expressed his sorrow at learning the news. “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said. Latest: Suspect Juan Duntugan admits to killing Campbell. Leave your thoughts and condolences .

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Warren Wiggins: Architect of the Peace Corps Warren Wiggins, who died at 84 on April 13, became one of the architects of the Peace Corps in 1961 when his paper, "A Towering Task," landed in the lap of Sargent Shriver, just as Shriver was trying to figure out how to turn the Peace Corps into a working federal department. Shriver was electrified by the treatise, which urged the agency to act boldly. Read Mr. Wiggins' obituary and biography, take an opportunity to read the original document that shaped the Peace Corps' mission, and read John Coyne's special issue commemorating "A Towering Task."

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March 14, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Evacuated PCVs attend Festival on the Niger in Mali 23 Feb Tom Bissell tells the story of how Vietnam came home 13 Mar Mike Honda cites Japan's Sex Slavery 8 Mar Donna Shalala co-chairs presidential commission 7 Mar Sixth Anniversary of Disappearance of PCV Walter Poirier 6 Mar Sam Farr was de-selected during Peace Corps Training 6 Mar Elaine Jones would be good fit for NAACP President 6 Mar Pat Waak re-elected chairwoman of Colorado Dems 5 Mar Astronaut Mae Jemison was PC Medical Officer 4 Mar Guy Consolmagno blends faith and science 3 Mar Doyle Turns Down Federal Abstinence Money 3 Mar Owen Cylke writes: Taxi in the Rain 2 Mar Jody Olsen receives "Founder’s Day" Award 2 Mar Chris Dodd introduces PCV Empowerment Act 1 Mar Michael O'Hanlon writes: Iraq Deserves One More Chance 1 Mar An Excerpt from Jan Worth's Night Blind 28 Feb David Harde sentenced for Medical Marijuana 28 Feb Oscar winner Helen Mirren congratulated by RPCV husband 26 Feb RPCVs distribute mosquito nets 25 Feb Peter McPherson new Chairman of Dow Jones 21 Feb Arabic speakers under-utilized in Homeland Security 9 Feb Dr. J. Michael Taylor co- founded Konbit Sante 4 Feb

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February 23, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Hill announces Draft Accord in North Korea Nuclear Talks 12 Feb Dodd builds connections in New Hampshire 19 Feb PCVs accused of counterinsurgency activities 19 Feb Harris Wofford declares support for Obama 18 Feb Tschetter becomes the first Director to visit Malawi 16 Feb New Fellows Program at Yale University 15 Feb Sidney Slover helps start donut production in Honduras 16 Feb Kevin O'Donnell's Daughter and Granddaughter are PCVs 14 Feb Joe Krueger helps restore Liberia's timber industry 14 Feb Peace Corps Hippies 13 Feb Maryland RPCVs to screen "American Idealist" on March 3 9 Feb Aaron Kase writes: Moon over Africa 8 Feb Margaret Krome writes: 'Rogue nations' aren't only threat 8 Feb Shays says he would Support McCain 8 Feb A Mistrial for Lieut. Watada 8 Feb Chris Matthews drops the F-bomb 8 Feb RPCVs - Believe it or not 07 Feb White House requests $334 Million for Peace Corps 5 Feb Carol Bellamy writes: We need an Earth Corps 3 Feb First Group of PCVs arrive in Cambodia 2 Feb Mae Jemison wears red for charity 2 Feb Dear Miss Lonelyhearts 30 Jan

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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 or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. FAQ: Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL.

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Chris Dodd's Vision for the Peace Corps Senator Chris Dodd (RPCV Dominican Republic) spoke at the ceremony for this year's Shriver Award and elaborated on issues he raised at Ron Tschetter's hearings. Dodd plans to introduce legislation that may include: setting aside a portion of Peace Corps' budget as seed money for demonstration projects and third goal activities (after adjusting the annual budget upward to accommodate the added expense), more volunteer input into Peace Corps operations, removing medical, healthcare and tax impediments that discourage older volunteers, providing more transparency in the medical screening and appeals process, a more comprehensive health safety net for recently-returned volunteers, and authorizing volunteers to accept, under certain circumstances, private donations to support their development projects. He plans to circulate draft legislation for review to members of the Peace Corps community and welcomes RPCV comments.

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He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.

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Meet Ron Tschetter - Our Next Director Read our story about Ron Tschetter's confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that was carried on C-Span. It was very different from the Vasquez hearings in 2001, very cut and dried with low attendance by the public. Among the highlights, Tschetter intends to make recruitment of baby boomers a priority, there are 20 countries under consideration for future programs, Senator Dodd intends to re-introduce his third goal Peace Corps legislation this session, Tschetter is a great admirer of Senator Coleman's quest for accountability, Dodd thinks management at PC may not put volunteers first, Dodd wants Tschetter to look into problems in medical selection, and Tschetter is not a blogger and knows little about the internet or guidelines for volunteer blogs. Read our recap of the hearings as well as Senator Coleman's statement and Tschetter's statement.

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Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process.

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The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace.

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PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

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History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

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