2007.07.02: July 2, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tonga: The News-Sentinel : Cliff Johnson didn't know much about the South Pacific island chain of Tonga before he and his wife, Amber, headed there as Peace Corps volunteers in 2003

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Tonga: Peace Corps Tonga : Peace Corps Tonga: New Stories: 2007.07.02: July 2, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tonga: The News-Sentinel : Cliff Johnson didn't know much about the South Pacific island chain of Tonga before he and his wife, Amber, headed there as Peace Corps volunteers in 2003

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Cliff Johnson didn't know much about the South Pacific island chain of Tonga before he and his wife, Amber, headed there as Peace Corps volunteers in 2003

Cliff Johnson didn't know much about the South Pacific island chain of Tonga before he and his wife, Amber, headed there as Peace Corps volunteers in 2003

"They were large folks. I did not fit in really well," said the rail-thin Johnson. After arriving in the Tongan community of Vava'u, the Johnsons had three months of language, cross-cultural and technical training. They then took on several youth-development projects, including leading an environmental cleanup effort, overseeing a com uter lab and writing curriculum for people with developmental disabilities. "From Day One, your job starts evolving," Johnson said. "The more flexibility you have, the better."

Cliff Johnson didn't know much about the South Pacific island chain of Tonga before he and his wife, Amber, headed there as Peace Corps volunteers in 2003

Peace Corps not just for young idealists

Jul 2, 2007 — Knight Ridder Tribune Business News

Jul. 2--Cliff Johnson didn't know much about the South Pacific island chain of Tonga before he and his wife, Amber, headed there as Peace Corps volunteers in 2003. He had researched the country and learned it was a kingdom -- ruled by an actual 450-poun king -- and that all the men wore long skirts, called tupeno, and woven mats around their waists, called ta'ovala.

"They were large folks. I did not fit in really well," said the rail-thin Johnson. Now a Peace Corps recruiter at the agency's Chicago regional office, Johnson gave a presentation for about 40 people Thursday night at the Allen County Public Library. A graduate of Snider High School and Taylor University, he said he was excited about oming back to his hometown to share his experience -- and to encourage others to consider applying. Several other local residents who are returned Peace Corps volunteers joined him in the presentation. After arriving in the Tongan community of Vava'u, the Johnsons had three months of language, cross-cultural and technical training.

They then took on several youth-development projects, including leading an environmental cleanup effort, overseeing a com uter lab and writing curriculum for people with developmental disabilities. "From Day One, your job starts evolving," Johnson said. "The more flexibility you have, the better." That goes for living accommodations, too. Some volunteers have brick "palaces" or apartments in the city with electricity and running water, while others live miles away from the nearest American in mud huts with grass roofs. The Peace Corps, still going strong 46 years after President John F. Kennedy planted the seeds of the idea during a speech at the University of Michigan, currently has volunteers in 70 countries, a list that changes every year.

The countries must be safe and secure, Johnson said, and volunteers must be invited. There are just three requirements for applicants -- they must be at least age 18, in fairly good health and U.S. citizens. The three goals of the Peace Corps remain unchanged since its founding in 1961: to provide trained labor to an interested country, to foster a more positive view of Americans abroad, and to promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of mericans. Although volunteers are typically thought of as young and single, about 7 percent serve as married couples, and 5 percent are over age 50.

There is no upper age limit. Peace Corps is urging more retirees to consider service, so there is a greater age di ersity, Johnson said. Older volunteers often bring maturity and life skills to their assignments that younger people lack. An example of this demographic shift is Marjorie Shomo, of Fort Wayne, who was 68 and retired from her job as a dental assistant at the VA Hospital when she joined Peace Corps in 1988. Shomo, a Decatur native who has three children, five grandchildren a d seven great-grandchildren, taught home economics and raised chickens in Papua New Guinea. Shomo's Peace Corps memories are still sharp, thanks in part to a book she wrote for her family based on the journals she kept.

"I talk about Peace Corps a good bit," said Shomo, adding that she always felt safe because her fellow villagers "watched out for her." Since Sept. 11, Johnson said, Peace Corps has put greater emphasis on safety and security, training volunteers in country-specific emergency guidelines. "Part of this is (the volunteer) knowing your community, so people watch out for you," he added. Volunteers work in one of five main areas -- agriculture, environment, business, education and health. Many are also trained to do HIV/AIDS support work. Most countries request volunteers with specific skills and a college degree; however, experience in a practical trade, such as mechanics or construction, is also valuable.

"There's room for a lot of kinds of people, a lot of Americans," Johnson said. And what do volunteers get in exchange for two years of service? Travel to the country and back, a monthly living stipend, full health coverage and a $6,000 readjustment allowance upon completion of the 27-month commitment. Snider graduate Kay Feichter-Thistlethwaite served in the Dominican Republic from 1980 to 1982. After graduating from Indiana University with a business degree, she said she "looked at the Air Force and Peace Corps, and thought Peace Corps sounded like lot of fun." Feichter-Thistlethwaite worked with savings and loan co-ops and multiple services, and in her second year helped reintroduce pork to the country.

Since the Dominican Republic is only a few hours by plane south of Miami, most of her family members visite her. Now a Realtor in Fort Wayne, Feichter-Thistlethwaite frequently uses Spanish skills that she learned in the Peace Corps. She has returned to the country at least eight times, including a celebration marking the Peace Corps' 45th year in the Dominican Re ublic. For Ronald Hayes, who served in India from 1966 to 1968, Peace Corps was a way to prove he could "go out in the middle of nowhere and do something and take care of myself." The University of Illinois graduate worked in civil engineering and rural infras ructure projects.

He remembers seeing flares and bombs over war-torn Vietnam on his flight home, and being asked whether he would join the Army. Instead, he resumed his engineering career in Fort Wayne, later returning to India and marrying the woman who was his next-doo neighbor. Asked whether there was another Peace Corps tour in his future, Hayes said, "I'd do it again in a New York minute, if I didn't have health problems." As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, recruiters such as Johnson hope more Americans -- whatever their age, educational level or place in life -- consider Kennedy's call to "ask what you can do for your country." "I actually think it's more relevant now," Johnson said.

"I can't think of a more important time to be a volunteer."

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?: --To talk to a Peace Corps recruiter, call 1-800-424-8580. --For more information or to apply, go to http://www.peacecorps.gov and press "Apply Now." The online application is the easiest way to apply and can be saved. The application process usually takes nine to 12 months.



Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: July, 2007; Peace Corps Tonga; Directory of Tonga RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Tonga RPCVs





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Story Source: The News-Sentinel

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