• 2009.03.23: March 23, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Bisous from Benin! writes: On Thursday March 12 at about 1pm, I got a phone call from my boss informing me that one of my friends, a fellow English teacher from the training class ahead of me, had passed away  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:21 pm [1]

• 2009.03.22: March 22, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Ever Been in Benin? writes: Even after the short amount of time that I spent with her, I can say with complete confidence that Kate was one of the friendliest people I have ever met  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:19 pm [1]

• 2009.03.19: March 19, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Monica au Benin writes: This past week has been really hard  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:18 pm [1]

• 2009.03.18: March 18, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer An African Hillbilly writes: Kate  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:17 pm [1]

• 2009.03.17: March 17, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer From Green Mountains to the Birthplace of Voodoo writes: Peace Corps is doing everything in their power to make volunteers feel safe and continue to live at post and do positive work  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:17 pm [1]

• 2009.03.17: March 17, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Vroegin Benin writes: A Sad Loss in Bénin  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:15 pm [1]

• 2009.03.16: March 16, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Natalie's Life in Africa writes: Peace Corps is doing all that they can to make sure we are all as safe as possible and prevent this from ever happening again  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:14 pm [1]

• 2009.03.15: March 15, 2009: Headlines: COS - Benin: Blogs - Benin: Safety: Crime: Murder: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer a view from benin writes: Please keep Kate's family in your thoughts and prayers, but also know that this tragedy does not represent a general trend of violence toward volunteers in Benin  Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 2:13 pm [1]

Peace Corps Volunteer Revolution Me writes: Peace Kate. . .



When Kate was working with us, it was never “maybe not.” It was always “Yes, try it! See how it goes!” or “Good idea, lets work with it.” She made no claims of being an expert after teaching her first year in village, but she ably helped our facilitators to guide us through our integration into the Beninese system. She was always calm and down to earth. She was an absolute sweetheart, but not afraid to say what she thought. I think Kate was one of the best Peace Corps Volunteers. She was dedicated to her work, her community, and her friends.

Peace Corps Volunteer Revolution Me writes: Peace Kate. . .

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Peace Kate. . .

You don’t know how safe you are in your surroundings until something horrific happens to someone close to you. At this point, what really changes is your perception of your security, not your actual security. It would be better if I could spend my entire life never having said “my friend was murdered.” I can’t now.

Kate was sleeping outside of her house in a village about five hours away from me. They say it appears that she never woke up. Details are vague because of the investigation. With no sign of theft or rape, the motive is unclear. Even the bravest of us are frightened.

Kate was not one of my close friends in Peace Corps Benin, but she was a friend to me. She was a friend to everyone. I first met her during training. As a second year volunteer, she was chosen to be a trainer during our pre service learning in Porto Novo. She arrived about the time that we were starting model school, our 4 week long crash course in teaching English.

When Kate was working with us, it was never “maybe not.” It was always “Yes, try it! See how it goes!” or “Good idea, lets work with it.” She made no claims of being an expert after teaching her first year in village, but she ably helped our facilitators to guide us through our integration into the Beninese system. She was always calm and down to earth. She was an absolute sweetheart, but not afraid to say what she thought. I think Kate was one of the best Peace Corps Volunteers. She was dedicated to her work, her community, and her friends.

After I was sworn in and went to post, I often texted her with silly little questions. How do I use the oil I found in the market? I’ve been forced by a chauffer I don’t like into a taxi, what should I do? When I saw her again three months into our service at Thanksgiving, she joked that she missed my random text messages. That was a memorable Thanksgiving. The TEFL girls and I spent a lot of time sitting around and talking about our families. They were on our mind - we are so far from them.

I told my students about what had happened the day I got back school. I wanted to explain why I missed class, but I also wanted them to understand our sacrifices better. Not to guilt them into treating me well, but to help them to realize that I need them, and that our relationship is one of mutual sharing. I could quit at any minute. I could call the office right now and request early termination, and they would give it to me. I don’t. I place my trust in my community. I trust them to keep an eye out for me, understanding that I really am far from home.

May perpetual light shine on Kate. May her Creator bring peace to her family, her friends, and to the world that she spent her life serving. Peace Kate.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: March, 2009; Peace Corps Benin; Directory of Benin RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Benin RPCVs; Blogs - Benin; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Crime; Murder

When this story was posted in March 2009, 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's Candidate for Peace Corps Director Honduras RPCV Jon Carson, 33, presided over thousands of workers as national field director for the Obama campaign and said the biggest challenge -- and surprise -- was the volume of volunteer help, including more than 15,000 "super volunteers," who were a big part of what made Obama's campaign so successful. PCOL endorses Jon Carson as the man who can revitalize the Peace Corps, bring it into the internet age, and meet Obama's goal of doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011.

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Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez.

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Feb 22, 2009: Return to Indonesia? Clinton says PC expects to resume in Indonesia 18 Feb Indonesia still touchy about Peace Corps 17 Feb PCVs Remain Safe in Madagascar 30 Jan Dodd's Senate seat up for grabs? 21 Feb Tony Hall Talks About Poverty and Hunger 18 Feb Pro Football Player Aaron Merz to serve in Zambia 17 Feb Moyers could be new Murrow for US Public Diplomacy 17 Feb Obituary for Nigeria CD Francis Underhill Macy 10 Feb George Packer writes: Parties argue government role 10 Feb James Rupert writes: Missile Strikes Counterproductive? 10 Feb Danny Hevrol in Madagascar amidst fighting 6 Feb Reed Hastings writes: Please Raise My Taxes 6 Feb Obama overrides Hillary on Chris Hill appointment 6 Feb Joseph Acaba has "The Right Stuff" 4 Feb Maureen Orth writes: A New Start 2 Feb Henry Rayburn could make art out of anything 1 Feb Obama out to marry military power with diplomacy 30 Jan Mike Fay honored by the San Diego Zoo 30 Jan Charles Stroh writes: Karzai seen as impediment to change 29 Jan Madeleine Meek writes: The market and the bath 26 Jan NPCA gets new Web Site 22 Jan Read more stories from January and February 2009.

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Some PCVs return to Bolivia on their own Peace Corps has withdrawn all volunteers from Bolivia because of "growing instability" and the expulsion of US Ambassador Philip Goldberg after Bolivian President Evo Morales accused the American government of inciting violence in the country. This is not the first controversy surrounding Goldberg's tenure as US ambassador to Bolivia. Latest: Some volunteers have returned to Bolivia on their own to complete their projects.

Read the stories and leave your comments.