2011.01.15: January 15, 2011: Liberia RPCV Ron Woldyk reacts to ABC News' report
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2011.01.15: January 15, 2011: Liberia RPCV Ron Woldyk reacts to ABC News' report
Liberia RPCV Ron Woldyk reacts to ABC News' report
Ron Woldyk of Grand Rapids volunteered with the Peace Corps. He served in Liberia during the early 1980's. He says he was prepared for the challenge. "For me, the experience was good," says Woldyk. However, Woldyk says he remembers one of his fellow volunteers being attacked. "There was one person within our group that came over that was evacuated because of rape," recollects Woldyk. "Within the society, the Peace Corps women did have it tougher in that way, in sort of a male dominated society; it was a little harder for them." Despite the recent reports and occasional risky situation, Woldyk says he is pleaed to have served such a good cause. "It was a very challenging experience... challenging in terms of getting used to different customs, different ways of life," he says. "For me, it was a very enriching experience."
Liberia RPCV Ron Woldyk reacts to ABC News' report
Local Peace Corps volunteer reacts to ABC News' report
WZZM 13 ONLINE
* Updated:1/15/2011 8:38:09 AM - Posted: 1/14/2011 10:42:52 PM
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A special report on ABC's "20/20" Friday night featured several former volunteers who say they were sexually assaulted while serving for the Peace Corps in foreign countries.
The investigation suggested that officials with Peace Corps ignored complaints from those volunteers.
Ron Woldyk of Grand Rapids volunteered with the Peace Corps. He served in Liberia during the early 1980's. He says he was prepared for the challenge.
"For me, the experience was good," says Woldyk.
However, Woldyk says he remembers one of his fellow volunteers being attacked.
"There was one person within our group that came over that was evacuated because of rape," recollects Woldyk. "Within the society, the Peace Corps women did have it tougher in that way, in sort of a male dominated society; it was a little harder for them."
Despite the recent reports and occasional risky situation, Woldyk says he is pleaed to have served such a good cause.
"It was a very challenging experience... challenging in terms of getting used to different customs, different ways of life," he says. "For me, it was a very enriching experience."
WZZM 13 contacted the national press office for the Peace Corps, whom declined to comment directly, but did release this statement:
"Peace Corps manages a comprehensive approach to volunteer safety and security. We are always working to improve and strengthen our training and operations for our staff and volunteers abroad. We will never be able to entirely eliminate volunteers' exposure to crimes overseas, but we will continue to do our best to make Peace Corps a safe and productive experience for the Americans serving as volunteers today and in the future."
Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps is internationally recognized as an organization aimed at promoting world peace and friendship.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: January, 2011; Peace Corps Liberia; Directory of Liberia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Liberia RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Sexual Assault and Harassment
When this story was posted in June 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest. |
| 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." |
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Story Source: WZZM
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Liberia; Safety; SA
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