2011.02.25: February 25, 2011: Doris Ditchfield volunteered for the Peace Corps in 1991 in Guatemala
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2011.02.25: February 25, 2011: Doris Ditchfield volunteered for the Peace Corps in 1991 in Guatemala
Doris Ditchfield volunteered for the Peace Corps in 1991 in Guatemala
As Dora Ditchfield walked through the Guatemalan village of Quiche, she saw children quickly run away and hide behind buildings. The children peered from windows with looks of fear and mystery as Ditchfield passed. "Some of the children were taught gringos ate small children and hid when I came through," Ditchfield recalled. Being the only Peace Corps member in the village, Ditchfield was not seen as just another tourist in Quiche. She received invitations to celebrations and family events that a tourist would never encounter. Ditchfield recounted a story about French tourists stopping by the village one day. As the tourists poured out of a van to take pictures, one of the villagers nudged Ditchfield and said, "Look tourist." Ditchfield was officially no longer an outsider, but a member of the community.
Doris Ditchfield volunteered for the Peace Corps in 1991 in Guatemala
North Georgia Volunteers Observe Peace Corps' 50th
Nick Reed
Issue date: 2/25/11 Section: News
As Dora Ditchfield walked through the Guatemalan village of Quiche, she saw children quickly run away and hide behind buildings.
The children peered from windows with looks of fear and mystery as Ditchfield passed.
"Some of the children were taught gringos ate small children and hid when I came through," Ditchfield recalled.
Working as a Peace Corp volunteer, Ditchfield spent the years after that initial encounter teaching the children the importance of health, sanitation and a proper diet. As time passed, a strong bond formed between the children of Quiche (pronounced KEY-chay) and the once mysterious gringo.
"Those same children cried when I left," Ditchfield, now director of career services at NGCSU, remembered.
Stories such as Ditchfield's is the reason for the celebration March 1 at 6 p.m. in the Library Technology Center commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps.
Hosted by Ditchfield and Dr. Donna Gessell, the 50th anniversary celebration will feature a panel of returned volunteers, clips from the film Jimi Si and a birthday cake.
Ditchfield and Gessell, both returned volunteers, recently reflected on their experiences in the Peace Corps.
Ditchfield volunteered for the Peace Corps in 1991. During her freshman and sophomore years in college, Ditchfield felt a need to serve others and the Peace Corps was a great opportunity. Upon graduation, she knew the time was right.
"I knew I would regret it if I didn't go. It was the best time," Ditchfield said. "I wanted to serve at the grassroots level and be down to earth. I also loved to travel and wanted to learn a new language."
[Excerpt]
Being the only Peace Corps member in the village, Ditchfield was not seen as just another tourist in Quiche. She received invitations to celebrations and family events that a tourist would never encounter.
Ditchfield recounted a story about French tourists stopping by the village one day. As the tourists poured out of a van to take pictures, one of the villagers nudged Ditchfield and said, "Look tourist."
Ditchfield was officially no longer an outsider, but a member of the community.
Most of Ditchfield's days were spent in the classroom. A simple house lent to students for the day or an open courtyard, the classroom was where Ditchfield taught young girls the importance of nutrition, hygiene and how to treat ailments and diseases.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: February, 2011; Peace Corps Guatemala; Directory of Guatemala RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Guatemala RPCVs; 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps; Georgia
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: The Saint
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Guatemala
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