Peace Corps Volunteer "Krissy's latest adventure - Benin, West Africa" writes: Friday, March 12th, marked the 1 year anniversary of the tragic death of Peace Corps Volunteer Catherine Puzey



I was in Cotonou the last three days for her memorial, along with most of the volunteers currently serving in Benin. It was a beautiful service, Kate's story was told in a simple and honoring manner. A piece of her blog was read, her words were insightful and reflected well her love for her village, her students, and her service here in Benin. The Ambassador to the United States honored us with his presence as well, giving us all some words of encouragement as we move forward in our service and our lives.

Peace Corps Volunteer "Krissy's latest adventure - Benin, West Africa" writes: Friday, March 12th, marked the 1 year anniversary of the tragic death of Peace Corps Volunteer Catherine Puzey

Sunday, March 14, 2010
In memory of Kate Puzey
Kate Puzey will never be forgotten.

Friday, March 12th, marked the 1 year anniversary of the tragic death of Peace Corps Volunteer Catherine Puzey, known to all as Kate, in Badjoude, Benin.

I did not know Kate, I never met her or had the opportunity to work with her, but this weekend I feel like I was given a glimpse of her life – a life filled with joy and love and service. A life cut short at the hand of another. I was in Cotonou the last three days for her memorial, along with most of the volunteers currently serving in Benin. It was a beautiful service, Kate's story was told in a simple and honoring manner. A piece of her blog was read, her words were insightful and reflected well her love for her village, her students, and her service here in Benin. The Ambassador to the United States honored us with his presence as well, giving us all some words of encouragement as we move forward in our service and our lives.

I attended her memorial for the same reason as most in my class – we didn't know her, but we don't want her to ever be forgotten. And she never will. A poem read during the memorial has stuck with me and been circling through my head since it was read.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I do not die…
I do not die.

K

(Poem is "Do not stand at my grave and weep", by Mary Elizabeth Frye)

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: March, 2010; 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 November 2010, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal The Peace Corps has always neglected the third goal, allocating less than 1% of their resources to "bringing the world back home." Senator Dodd addressed this issue in the "Peace Corps for the 21st Century" bill passed by the US Senate and Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter proposed a "Peace Corps Foundation" at no cost to the US government. Both are good approaches but the recent "Comprehensive Assessment Report" didn't address the issue of independent funding for the third goal at all.

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Nov 8, 2010: The 50th Begins University of Michigan commemorates 50th 16 Oct Wittenberg University also has claim on 50th 31 Oct Historical Marker Unveiled to Celebrate 50th 15 Oct Directors Discuss Impact of Service 13 Oct Mary Morgan writes: Some thoughts on the 50th 16 Oct Colombia I Holds Reunion at Rutgers 31 Oct Remembering the Early Program in Ghana 23 Oct George Packer writes: Meaning of the Mid-Terms 2 Nov Steve Driehaus Defeated for re-election 2 Nov Michelle Obama's Uncle was PCV in India 1 Nov Chic Dambach writes "Exhaust the Limits" 31 Oct Alrick Brown Directs Documentary on Rwanda 31 Oct Rajeev Goyal writes: Obama Does Nothing for Peace Corps 31 Oct Dr. Paul Frommer Created Language for 'Avatar' 20 Oct Cy Kukenbaker Directs Movie about Soccer in Malawi 15 Oct Peace Corps has no Institutional Memory 14 Oct Kristof and Stacia Nordin demonstrate permaculture in Malawi 9 Oct Volunteer Stephanie Chance dies in Niger 8 Oct Peace Corps volunteer Census hits 40-year high 4 Oct Malaysia PM wants Peace Corps to Return 25 Sep Volunteer Thomas Maresco Murdered in Lesotho 4 Sep Johnathan Miller launchs Airborne Lifeline 26 Aug

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July 20, 2010: Nita Lowey Pushes Expansion Nita Lowey pushes $46.15 million PC funding increase 1 Jul Anne Goddard helps lead ChildFund 12 Jul PCVs Safe after bombing in Uganda 12 Jul PCVs Evacuated from Northern Burkina Faso 7 Jul Ben Masters promotes bamboo bicycles 6 Jul Danny Dunbar is a fan of Brazil soccer 2 Jul Christopher Hill leaves Iraq Embassy For Academia 2 Jul NPCA holds YouTube contest 2 Jul Larry Palmer nominated as Ambassador to Venezuela 30 Jun Laurence Leamer writes: America Looks Like a Fortress 29 Jun Ed Reed writes: Troops' service in Korea not in vain 28 Jun Mary-Denise Tabar finishes tour in Iraq 24 Jun Carrie Hessler-Radelet Sworn in as PC Deputy Director 24 Jun PC Releases Comprehensive Agency Assessment Report 22 Jun Michael Burden writes: The dilemma on your dinner plate 18 Jun Safety at risk for Peace Corps volunteers? 17 Jun PCVs in Southern Kyrgyzstan evacuated safely 15 Jun Steve Harpt helps dropouts reconstruct their lives 11 Jun Biden Meets with Peace Corps/Kenya Volunteers 11 Jun 19 Americans Sworn-in as PCVs in Indonesia 4 Jun PC Celebrates Volunteers Return to Sierra Leone 3 Jun John Coté makes cross-country walk for US Troops 16 May

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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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