2009.10.01: October 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Samoa: Return to our Country of Service - Samoa: Michigan Live: Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School
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2009.10.01: October 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Samoa: Return to our Country of Service - Samoa: Michigan Live: Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School
Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School
"We hadn't been there in five years," said Shawn Delasko, now a West Ottawa school district psychologist. The resort in the village of Saleapaga, operated by Emily's brother, Benny Vaaiga, was destroyed in the tsunami that ravaged the Samoan islands, killing more than 100 people. Fortunately, Vaaiga and other family members were able to escape to a nearby mountain range, although Emily's uncle is among the missing, Delasko said. The Delaskos received word of the tsunami from Emily's sister, who lives in New Zealand and had been unable to contact family members since the tsunami hit. Emily was able to connect via cell phone with her brother, who shared the details and distress of the devastation. "Nothing's left standing. All the houses are gone; all the buildings are gone," he said. The challenge for the survivors, Delasko said, is trying to figure out how to rebuild.
Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School
Holland couple re-visited Samoa month before tsunami hit; now they wait for word on family
By Greg Chandler | The Grand Rapids Press
October 01, 2009, 7:34AM
Caption: Shawn and Emily Delasko in SamoaCourtesy PhotoShawn and Emily Delasko of Holland, who met in Samoa, spent their August vacation at an oceanfront resort there.
HOLLAND - Shawn and Emily Delasko spent their August vacation at an oceanfront resort in Samoa, an area devastated by the deadly tsumani that hit the region this week.
The August visit represented a return to the Pacific Ocean island for the Holland couple, who met when Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School.
"We hadn't been there in five years," said Shawn Delasko, now a West Ottawa school district psychologist.
The resort in the village of Saleapaga, operated by Emily's brother, Benny Vaaiga, was destroyed in the tsunami that ravaged the Samoan islands, killing more than 100 people.
Fortunately, Vaaiga and other family members were able to escape to a nearby mountain range, although Emily's uncle is among the missing, Delasko said.
The Delaskos received word of the tsunami from Emily's sister, who lives in New Zealand and had been unable to contact family members since the tsunami hit.
Emily was able to connect via cell phone with her brother, who shared the details and distress of the devastation.
"Nothing's left standing. All the houses are gone; all the buildings are gone," he said.
The challenge for the survivors, Delasko said, is trying to figure out how to rebuild.
Many villagers in Samoa operated small resorts, consisting of traditional thatch huts, to make a living before the tsunami struck.
"We're trying to figure out what we can do ourselves" to help, Delasko said.
E-mail: localnews@grpress.com
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Headlines: October, 2009; Peace Corps Samoa; Directory of Samoa RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Samoa RPCVs; Return to our Country of Service - Samoa
When this story was posted in November 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| 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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Story Source: Michigan Live
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Samoa; Return to our Country of Service - Samoa
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