2007.10.15: October 15, 2007: Headlines: COS - Zambia: Salem Statesman Journal : Linda and Gerry Bowers keep daughter's Peace Corps dream alive
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2009.07.03: July 3, 2009: Headlines: COS - Zambia: Service: Libraries: Fallen: Education: Women's Issues: Statesman Journal: Parents Found "Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Fund" to provide scholarships for girls living in the Zambian village where their daughter died :
2007.10.15: October 15, 2007: Headlines: COS - Zambia: Salem Statesman Journal : Linda and Gerry Bowers keep daughter's Peace Corps dream alive
Linda and Gerry Bowers keep daughter's Peace Corps dream alive
But when their daughter, Elizabeth, a Peace Corps volunteer, died in 2002 while assisting people less fortunate in Zambia, her adventure -- her vision of service and global awareness -- became theirs. Now, the Willamette University professors are being recognized for carrying on their daughter's work. The Bowerses started a memorial fund -- which later evolved into the nonprofit -- after their daughter died five years ago at age 22 from a head injury suffered in a bicycle crash while she was volunteering in Lumwana West. The 1997 Sprague High School graduate had been teaching villagers about aquaculture, or how to raise their own fish. As English professors, the Bowerses decided that education would be their way of carrying on their daughter's legacy. With an education, women could help shape their own future, the couple thought. So far, 85 women in grades eight through 12, who call themselves Beth's girls, have received Zambia Education Fund scholarships, which pay for everything from school and exam fees to tutoring. When the fund started, only four girls from the village were going to school.
Linda and Gerry Bowers keep daughter's Peace Corps dream alive
Parents keep daughter's Peace Corps dream alive
Agency will honor Willamette professors for promoting education in Africa after daughter died
EUNICE KIM
Statesman Journal
October 15, 2007
Caption: Linda and Gerry Bowers will be recognized Tuesday by the Peace Corps for their efforts to promote education for women in Zambia. Photo: Lori Cain/Statesman Journal
Linda and Gerry Bowers never imagined they'd be helping women who lived halfway around the world, women they never knew.
But when their daughter, Elizabeth, a Peace Corps volunteer, died in 2002 while assisting people less fortunate in Zambia, her adventure -- her vision of service and global awareness -- became theirs. Now, the Willamette University professors are being recognized for carrying on their daughter's work.
Jody Olsen, deputy director of the Peace Corps, will present the Bowerses with a certificate of commendation Tuesday at Salem Public Library. The certificate is meant to honor their work helping to educate women in poverty-stricken Zambia.
"They're a wonderful, wonderful couple and an inspiration to many other people here in the U.S., in Zambia and in the community," Olsen said. "We want to give special recognition to them."
The Bowers' nonprofit corporation, the Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Fund, has provided educational scholarships to dozens of young women from the Lumwana West area of northwest Zambia. It also is funding the construction of a memorial library in the village.
"To be acknowledged by the Peace Corps is a great honor," said Linda Bowers, 65. "The whole thrust of our project was to sustain Beth's vision, and her vision was in line with Peace Corps'. By honoring us, they're honoring Beth. They're also reaffirming their own vision of global peace and understanding. We believe in that, and Beth believed in that."
The Bowerses started a memorial fund -- which later evolved into the nonprofit -- after their daughter died five years ago at age 22 from a head injury suffered in a bicycle crash while she was volunteering in Lumwana West. The 1997 Sprague High School graduate had been teaching villagers about aquaculture, or how to raise their own fish.
As English professors, the Bowerses decided that education would be their way of carrying on their daughter's legacy. With an education, women could help shape their own future, the couple thought.
So far, 85 women in grades eight through 12, who call themselves Beth's girls, have received Zambia Education Fund scholarships, which pay for everything from school and exam fees to tutoring. When the fund started, only four girls from the village were going to school.
Then and now, the only school in the village is Lumwana West Basic School, which goes up to grade nine. Students who want to go to high school -- grades 10 through 12 -- must travel to the next town over, Mwinilunga. Scholarships help pay their boarding costs.
Since 2004, about 25 women have continued on to high school with the help of the Education Fund. Three have graduated, including Prudence Masanyinga, who has gone on to study sociology at a government institute.
"The most rewarding part of this project is how the education of the girls in this village will eventually expand to improve families and society in Zambia," said Karen Chittick, secretary of the nonprofit's board of directors. "You're not just giving a girl an education. They will return to the village as role models for other girls."
Beyond supporting schooling, the Bowers' fund is paying for the construction of the village's first library, a project initiated by Peace Corps volunteer Bob Wilder.
"I have no question that we're making a major difference," Linda Bowers said.
The Bowerses hope to make an even bigger difference as they grow their organization and move into its second phase of development. The goal is to help more women complete high school and assist the qualified ones to go to college.
To do that, however, the Bowerses said they need to raise more money. They've hired a videographer to put together a video about their daughter, the fund and the work being done in Zambia. Part of the footage was shot in Zambia last summer when the Bowerses visited for their first time.
"All anyone has to do is to see the girls and the story, and they'll be moved by it," Linda Bowers said.
A version of the video will be played on the popular Web site YouTube, which the Bowerses hope will drive more people to their organization's site www. bethsgirls. org.
A longer version will be used during presentations around the Salem area and beyond.
Someday, the Bowerses want to turn their fund into an endowment and pass it onto "Beth's girls," who would administer the scholarships.
"I feel like they're very beautiful and very bright," said Gerry Bowers, 66. "I have a lot of respect for them. I'm very excited that they have all of these opportunities open up for them."
ekim@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6721
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Headlines: October, 2007; Peace Corps Zambia; Directory of Zambia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Zambia RPCVs
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Story Source: Salem Statesman Journal
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