Susannah and Paul Robillard met 25 years ago in a training program for work in Ecuador
Susannah and Paul Robillard met 25 years ago in a training program for work in Ecuador
Peace Corps volunteers try to retain experience
By JENNIFER BELLANTONIO Collegian Staff Writer
After volunteering for the Peace Corps for two years, Michelle Owens worried about losing everything she learned as a volunteer -- but a local organization has allowed her to retain and share that information.
"We don't want to give up what we learned," said Owens (graduate - agricultural and extension education). "Coming together allows us to share and keep that information."
Now Owens may be able to renew the relationships and knowledge through Chris Klein's efforts. After volunteering for four years at Sierra Leone, Africa, Klein wanted to rekindle some of the Peace Corps excitement once he returned to the State College area.
"When I came back I thought there would be return volunteers in the area, so I tried looking," Klein said. "But because so many people move in and out, I couldn't find a group."
However, by using word of mouth, Klein was able to meet 12 volunteers who returned for volunteering. Together, they hung signs and advertised on WPSU-FM until the small meetings grew to about 25 people.
Klein's efforts attracted Peace Corps volunteers Susannah and Paul Robillard of State College. The Robillards met 25 years ago in a training program for work in Ecuador.
"We saw an advertisement in the Centre Daily Times, and it sparked our interest," Susannah Robillard said. "We wanted to meet other volunteers and find that common ground."
Susannah Robillard also said her daughter is interested in becoming a volunteer, and she hoped that the group could update them on changes and improvements in the Peace Corps.
The group supports individuals coming back from their volunteer work, acts as a social group for those interested in international travel and plans to initiate a new community service project.
Klein said the group is also organizing a speakers' bureau, which will be an informal group of return Peace Corps volunteers who go to schools and organizations to talk about their overseas experience.
Members of the group are enthusiastic about relaying information to those who may be interested in providing aid, but potential participants are hesitant because of many worries, doubts and concerns.
"People fight out of fear of the unknown and I want to tell people what it is really like over there," Owens said. "People are people wherever you go."
The group enables Owens to recall her own experiences while shedding light on the mysteries of unfamiliar countries.
The Peace Corps strives to provide technical manpower, to meet and interact with different people, and to educate people about foreign experiences upon returning to the United States, she said.
Nick Ferrara, who worked with women's groups and built tanks for drinking water in Kenya, also exhibited his support and enthusiasm for the group. He said he is eager to discuss things such as the three-month training program and daily living.
"Going into the Peace Corps is a big unknown," Ferrara said. "But don't let the unknown be intimidating because it will be a very exciting period in life."
