2011.01.20: January 20, 2011: Togo RPCV Ann Sheehan writes: Hearing Sargent Shriver sent me to Africa, changed my life

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Togo RPCV Ann Sheehan writes: Hearing Sargent Shriver sent me to Africa, changed my life

Togo RPCV Ann Sheehan writes: Hearing Sargent Shriver sent me to Africa, changed my life

In 1964, I was a junior at Fordham University's downtown building (this was several years before the Lincoln Center campus was built), and found out that Sargent Shriver was going to speak the next day at Fordham's Bronx campus. I persuaded one of my girlfriends to make the long trip, by subway and el, up to the Bronx, and listened to Sarge talk about President Kennedy, his "ask not what your country" idea, and the Peace Corps. In September 2001, the Peace Corps celebrated its 40th anniversary. The actual celebration took place a few weeks after Sept. 11, and it was one of the most moving events I've participated in. There were RPCVs who had served all over the world, including in Afghanistan, and while everyone was still mourning the loss of all those lives on 9/11, it was exhilarating to listen to Sarge talk and exhort us all, once again, to "Serve! Serve! Serve!"

Togo RPCV Ann Sheehan writes: Hearing Sargent Shriver sent me to Africa, changed my life

Hearing Sargent Shriver sent her to Africa, changed her life

Posted: Thursday, January 20, 2011 12:27 pm | Updated: 3:42 pm, Thu Jan 20, 2011.

By Ann Sheehan | 0 comments

(Ann Sheehan is executive director of BCTV, a Reading resident, and a Peace Corp volunteer who served in Togo. The Peace Corp's first director, Sargent Shriver, died Tuesday, Jan. 18.)

In 1964, I was a junior at Fordham University's downtown building (this was several years before the Lincoln Center campus was built), and found out that Sargent Shriver was going to speak the next day at Fordham's Bronx campus.

I persuaded one of my girlfriends to make the long trip, by subway and el, up to the Bronx, and listened to Sarge talk about President Kennedy, his "ask not what your country" idea, and the Peace Corps.

The idea of the Peace Corps had intrigued me since it was first talked about, and although I don't remember anything specific that he said, Sarge hooked me completely.

There were applications available right there, in the gym, and I made my friend wait for me while I filled it out, never dreaming that I would be accepted.

I went home that night and told my parents I had applied for the Peace Corps - their reaction was something like, "that's nice, dear."

A couple of months later a letter arrived, signed by R. Sargent Shriver himself, saying that I had been accepted!

Not only had I been accepted, I was going to be part of an experimental group - kids from all across the country who, after finishing junior year in college, would go to Dartmouth College for the summer for the first stage of training for the Peace Corps' English, Math and Science teacher program for French-speaking West Africa!

It didn't matter to me a bit that I had put in my application that I wanted to go to Southeast Asia - I was in, that's what mattered!

I went to Togo for two years and taught English as a second language.

It was a life-changing experience, which is a statement made by just about everyone who's been in the Peace Corps.

In September 2001, the Peace Corps celebrated its 40th anniversary. The actual celebration took place a few weeks after Sept. 11, and it was one of the most moving events I've participated in.

There were RPCVs who had served all over the world, including in Afghanistan, and while everyone was still mourning the loss of all those lives on 9/11, it was exhilarating to listen to Sarge talk and exhort us all, once again, to "Serve! Serve! Serve!"




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Headlines: January, 2011; Peace Corps Togo; Directory of Togo RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Togo RPCVs; Shriver





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How Volunteers Remember Sarge Date: January 18 2011 No: 1487 How Volunteers Remember Sarge
As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge."

PCV Murder Investigated Date: January 18 2011 No: 1477 PCV Murder Investigated
ABC News has investigated the murder of Benin PCV Kate Puzey. Read our original coverage of the crime, comments on Peace Corps actions, the email Puzey sent her country director about sexual incidents with Puzey's students and with another PCV, the backstory on how RPCVs helped the Puzey family, and Peace Corps' official statement. PCOL Editorial: One major shortcoming that the Puzey murder highlights is that Peace Corps does not have a good procedure in place for death notifications.

Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal Date: November 9 2010 No: 1460 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 Date: November 9 2010 No: 1457 Nov 8, 2010: The 50th Begins
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Memo to Incoming Director Williams Date: August 24 2009 No: 1419 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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"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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Story Source: BCTV

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Togo; Shriver

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