Peace Corps Volunteer "zot in guinea" writes: I am certainly safe (I learned of the deaths on bbc radio just like some of you), and that most other volunteers are in no danger whatsoever



"First, let me say that though you may have seen news reports about deaths in Conakry and other bad things, in Faranah things remain calm, though people are rather upset about it. I have been hearing rumors of some general unrest in other cities like Mamou and Labe, but up till now I am not sure what exactly is happening outside of Conakry."

Peace Corps Volunteer "zot in guinea" writes: I am certainly safe (I learned of the deaths on bbc radio just like some of you), and that most other volunteers are in no danger whatsoever

Girl's Conference and News Update

0 comments By potterzot Filed in events, in service September 29th, 2009 @ 1:09 pm

Caption: Guinean police arrest a protester in front of the biggest stadium in the capital Conakry during a protest banned by Guinea's ruling junta on September 28. The United States condemned Tuesday the "brazen and inappropriate use of force" by Guinea's ruling junta, after scores were killed in a crackdown on an opposition rally. Photo: AFP/File/Seyllou

First, let me say that though you may have seen news reports about deaths in Conakry and other bad things, in Faranah things remain calm, though people are rather upset about it. I have been hearing rumors of some general unrest in other cities like Mamou and Labe, but up till now I am not sure what exactly is happening outside of Conakry.

[Excerpt]

What I have heard is that there was a protest planned yesterday, but that the president made protesting illegal and so the military broke it up, resulting in many deaths and wounded, including wounding at least two (or three?) of the presidential candidates. The BBC said that Dadis has said the deaths are a result of some soldiers who got out of hand. He has yet to declare himself a candidate yet though. There are some news articles here and here.

All of this is to say that I am certainly safe (I learned of the deaths on bbc radio just like some of you), and that most other volunteers are in no danger whatsoever. I was planning on making a trip to Conakry soon, but at the moment travel to Conakry is restricted to emergencies only, so I may be delaying it. We will see. I am still going to Dabola for the 10k race though, unless that also gets cancelled (unlikely).

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: September, 2009; Peace Corps Guinea; Directory of Guinea RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Guinea RPCVs; Blogs - Guinea; Safety and Security of Volunteers

When this story was posted in September 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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Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams

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Join Us Mr. President! "We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .

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Meet Aaron Williams - Our Next Director Senator Dodd's Senate Subcommittee held confirmation hearings for Aaron Williams to become the 18th Peace Corps Director. "It's exciting to have a nominee who served in the Peace Corps and also has experience in international development and management," said Dodd as he put Williams on the fast track to be confirmed by the full Senate before the August recess. Read our exclusive coverage of the hearings and our biography of Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams.

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July 11, 2009: House says Yes, Senate No Senate Funding for Peace Corps Falls Short of Goal 10 Jul House supports $450M Peace Corps Budget 17 Jun Senator Kit Bond says PC is Smart Power 29 Jun Parents Keep Dream Alive for Fallen Zambia PCV 3 Jul PCVs Safe in Honduras after Coup 28 Jun Jahanshah Javid recalls Peace Corps Volunteers in Iran 22 Jun Peace Corps to return to Sierra Leone in 2010 18 Jun Ryan Van Duzer rode bike from Honduras to Boulder 17 Jun Monica Mills Named a Top Grassroots Lobbyist 12 Jun Tiffany Nelson teaches - and learns in China 12 Jun Dr. Roger Brooks spent 35 years with Concord Schools 9 Jun Dr. Catherine Taylor Foster administered Polio vaccine in Nepal 8 Jun Bill Lorah Runs Pre-Collegiate Program in Colorado 7 Jun Brian Carroll writes: An African village adapts 7 Jun Rebekah Martin finds love is not enough 6 Jun Peter Bartholomew helps preserve Korean traditional culture 5 Jun Obama speaks to Islamic World at Cairo University 4 Jun Matt Hepp combines humanitarian and climbing objectives 4 Jun Juana Bordas named 2009 Unique Woman of Colorado 2 Jun Phil Hardberger left his mark on San Antonio 31 May Philip Nix retires as headmaster of Day School 31 May New: More Stories from June and July 2009

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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.

Read the stories and leave your comments.