2009.02.27: February 27, 2009: The email that Kate Puzey sent to her Country Director about a language facilitator and how she has heard repeated stories of him harassing/sleeping with students and having sexual relations with a PC volunteer from PSL 19

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Benin: Peace Corps Benin : Peace Corps Benin: Newest Stories: 2011.01.14: January 14, 2011: Report by ABC News 20/20: Parents of Slain Volunteer Kate Puzey Say Peace Corps Error Led to Murder: 2010.11.23: November 23, 2010: The Backstory on How ABC News Came to do the Show about Kate Puzey : 2009.02.27: February 27, 2009: The email that Kate Puzey sent to her Country Director about a language facilitator and how she has heard repeated stories of him harassing/sleeping with students and having sexual relations with a PC volunteer from PSL 19

By Admin1 (admin) (98.188.147.225) on Monday, January 17, 2011 - 12:05 pm: Edit Post

The email that Kate Puzey sent to her Country Director about a language facilitator and how she has heard repeated stories of him harassing/sleeping with students and having sexual relations with a PC volunteer from PSL 19

The email that Kate Puzey sent to her Country Director about a language facilitator and how she has heard repeated stories of him harassing/sleeping with students and having sexual relations with a PC volunteer from PSL 19

"I am contacting you because I've heard on good authority that he had sexual relations again with a stagiaire during this time. I was first made suspicious when he approached me out of the blue to ask about a health volunteer from PSL 21. He said that he had tried repeatedly to call her but that whoever answered said she had left the country. He wanted me to find out if she had ET'd. When I asked one of the girl's good friends the story came out that she had actually changed her phone number to avoid his calls. From what I understand, after sleeping together during stage he had failed to call her once when she got to post and she decided to cut ties. I understand the complications that may arise from terminating a person's connections to Peace Corps based on rumor. This could pose even greater problems because the man is Constant BIO, the younger brother of APCD Jacques BIO. However, the nature of these rumors – combined with personal interaction that I believe substantiates them – should at least be grounds for serious consideration. Please believe I'm not someone who likes to create problems, but this has been weighing heavily on me. I've loved my time as a volunteer and it's important to me that Peace Corps remain a respected organization in the eyes of our host country. This man is notsomeone I want representing Peace Corps to the Beninese community and especially not to new arrived stagiaires. For obvious reasons, it's important to me that I remain anonymous in this situation. However, please feel free to contact me if you have further questions (cell phone 979011962) I would appreciate if you could respond, even briefly just to let me know you received this email."

The email that Kate Puzey sent to her Country Director about a language facilitator and how she has heard repeated stories of him harassing/sleeping with students and having sexual relations with a PC volunteer from PSL 19

Information about Kate Puzey.

I'm adding at the bottom of the page the emails that were sent between Kate and PC staff in the days before her death. Keep in mind that Kate returned to her village soon after sending her email of February 29 and that - as Peace Corps was aware – she had no internet access at post. She never actually read any of the emails sent to her.

[Excerpt]

Concerns for Stage 2009 Feb.29

Kate Puzey to scowan (Sheryl) and fthonvobelio (Florence)

Dear Sheryl,

There is a language facilitator I strongly believe should not be invited back to work Stage 2009. This man is a member of my community and a fellow teacher. As such, I've had the opportunity to observe his behavior at work and around town. My concerns about this person were first raised by repeated stories of him harassing/sleeping with students, coming to work inebriated, etc. I know for a fact that this school year alone students have refused to attend his classes on several occasions because of his lack of professionalism. Though disturbing, I understand that ones personal life can not be deciding factor in holding a Peace Corps position. That's why it wasn't until I heard of inappropriate behavior specifically in his capacity as a PC employee that I decided to contact you.

Last year, when volunteers when volunteers were gathered at my house for Whipping Fete, I saw this individual closing interacting with a PC volunteer from PSL 19. I was later told they had " hooked up" during the time that she was a stagiaire and that he was one of her language facilitators. Due to the gossip mill origins of this information, I didn't feel right bringing it to Peace Corps attention. Later when I heard that Peace Corps positions for 2008 might be down- sized, I secretly hoped he wouldn't be among those chosen to work again. However, he was. He worked yet again as a language facilitator for RCH during this year's stage.

I am contacting you because I've heard on good authority that he had sexual relations again with a stagiaire during this time. I was first made suspicious when he approached me out of the blue to ask about a health volunteer from PSL 21. He said that he had tried repeatedly to call her but that whoever answered said she had left the country. He wanted me to find out if she had ET'd. When I asked one of the girl's good friends the story came out that she had actually changed her phone number to avoid his calls. From what I understand, after sleeping together during stage he had failed to call her once when she got to post and she decided to cut ties. I understand the complications that may arise from terminating a person's connections to Peace Corps based on rumor. This could pose even greater problems because the man is Constant BIO, the younger brother of APCD Jacques BIO.

However, the nature of these rumors – combined with personal interaction that I believe substantiates them – should at least be grounds for serious consideration. Please believe I'm not someone who likes to create problems, but this has been weighing heavily on me. I've loved my time as a volunteer and it's important to me that Peace Corps remain a respected organization in the eyes of our host country. This man is notsomeone I want representing Peace Corps to the Beninese community and especially not to new arrived stagiaires.

For obvious reasons, it's important to me that I remain anonymous in this situation. However, please feel free to contact me if you have further questions (cell phone 979011962) I would appreciate if you could respond, even briefly just to let me know you received this email.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Catherine(Kate) Puzey Badjoud




Mar 2

Cowan, Sheryl

Hi Kate, Thank you so much for your message. I take this very seriously and I am so glad you came forward about this. Today is my first day back in the office after being out last week. I will discuss this with Florence this week. I hope all is well otherwise with you.




Mar 2

Honvo-Bello

Florence Message received. I will discuss this with Sheryl for appropriate action. Thanks for keeping us informed.




Mar 6

Cowan, Sheryl

Dear Kate,

Given the below information. Peace Corps will not renew Mr. Constant BIO's contract. He will receive a letter shortly to let him know this, as well as the reason why. We are also looking into how to prevent him from continuing this behavior at this school. We will take care not to mention you or involve you in any way. Thank you again for drawing our attention to this matter. We definitely don't want someone like this working for the Peace Corps.

Best Regards,

Sheryl

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

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





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