Brazil RPCV Tim Schnabel writes: Peace Corps is not just for the young among us



I was unsure of my direction as I entered my last year of college. While born into a family of men who proudly served in our military (one earning the distinguished Navy Cross) I wanted something different. Applying to the Peace Corps was a calling and shortly before graduating I was invited to train as a volunteer in Brazil. As I student of geography I knew Brazil was the largest country in South America and the only country where Portuguese, not Spanish was spoken. The moment the plane left the runway for three months of training in Washington, D.C., my life was never the same and I remain forever grateful. I remain forever humbled. Like most who volunteer, I received far more than I gave. Was it easy? No! Was I lonely? Oh, dear Lord, there were times I really hurt. But was there joy? Many, many moments. Were there successes? A teenager I taught later came to the states to study and fell in love with an American boy and her life was never the same. A library I helped start let poor kids know there is a different way to live and a world beyond. And a few of the friends I made back then remain friends today! While I remain quasi fluent in Portuguese, I remain abundantly fluent in love with that remarkable country, her incredibly industrious and hospitable people, and special individuals from that time I always consider family.

Brazil RPCV Tim Schnabel writes: Peace Corps is not just for the young among us

Peace Corps is not just for the young among us

Posted: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:00 am

Peace Corps is not just for the young among us 1 comment

News Editor Robbie Schwartz wrote quite a celebratory column on the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps (Happy Birthday, Peace Corps, March 2, 2011) wondering, "How would my life be different if I had been among the more than 200,000 Americans who have served in the Peace Corps?" As one of the 200,00 Americans who served, I would like to answer that question, extending an invitation to young and old to consider becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Like Robbie, I was unsure of my direction as I entered my last year of college. While born into a family of men who proudly served in our military (one earning the distinguished Navy Cross) I wanted something different. Applying to the Peace Corps was a calling and shortly before graduating I was invited to train as a volunteer in Brazil. As I student of geography I knew Brazil was the largest country in South America and the only country where Portuguese, not Spanish was spoken.

The moment the plane left the runway for three months of training in Washington, D.C., my life was never the same and I remain forever grateful. I remain forever humbled. Like most who volunteer, I received far more than I gave.

Was it easy? No! Was I lonely? Oh, dear Lord, there were times I really hurt. But was there joy? Many, many moments. Were there successes? A teenager I taught later came to the states to study and fell in love with an American boy and her life was never the same. A library I helped start let poor kids know there is a different way to live and a world beyond. And a few of the friends I made back then remain friends today!

While I remain quasi fluent in Portuguese, I remain abundantly fluent in love with that remarkable country, her incredibly industrious and hospitable people, and special individuals from that time I always consider family.

Peace Corps is not just for the younger, like Robbie and I once were. Many folks over the age of 50 are serving as Peace Corps volunteers. In fact, in honor of the mother of President Jimmy Carter, Lillian Carter, or Miss Lillian, as she was known, who was a Peace Corps volunteer in India at the age of 66, the Lillian Carter Award was established to honor a remarkable "senior" who has served in the Peace Corps. So, volunteering is not simply for youth, it is for anyone at almost any age.

As a former volunteer, I am invited to the bi-annual Lillian Carter Award ceremony at the Carter Center. I take you back to one of those ceremonies a few years ago. President Carter was speaking of his late mother and her service to the people in India. As the former president described her courage, her determination, her independence and her sense of supreme values, his eyes filled with tears and his voice with much emotion.

President Carter then read a poem from his book, "Always a Reckoning," titled "Miss Lillian Sees Leprosy for the First Time." It was an adaptation of a poem Miss Lillian had written from India. As he began, all that could be heard was the hum of the air conditioner on that hot, humid June day ...

When I nursed in a clinic near Bombay,

a small girl, shielding all her leprous sores,

crept inside the door. I moved away,

but the doctor called, "You take this case!"

First I found a mask and put it on,

quickly gave the child a shot and then,

not well, I slipped away to be alone

and scrubbed my entire body red and raw.

I faced her treatment every week with dread

and loathing of the chore, not the child.

As time passed, I was less afraid,

and managed not to turn my face away.

Her spirit bloomed as sores began to fade,

she'd raise her anxious, searching eyes to mine

to show she trusted me. We'd smile and say

a few Marathi words, then reach and hold

each other's hands. And then love grew between

us, so that, later, when I kissed her lips goodbye

I didn't feel unclean.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: March, 2011; Peace Corps Brazil; Directory of Brazil RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Brazil RPCVs; Older Volunteers

When this story was posted in October 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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

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Who Were the First Volunteers? As the Peace Corps prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, members of Colombia I say the agency's account of its early history is flawed. Although the Peace Corps' web site proclaims that the first group of volunteers were members of Ghana I, Colombia RPCV Ronald A. Schwartz writes that the first Peace Corps volunteers were, in fact, members of Colombia I and asks that the agency correct the historical record. Also read the essay by Ghana RPCV Bob Klein on Peace Corps Online about Ghana I - the first volunteers to arrive at their country of service.

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Peace Corps Featured at Smithsonian Take a look at our photo essay of Peace Corps' featured program at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC to see how the festival showcased the work of Peace Corps volunteers in economic development and income generation; ways volunteers have helped support local groups to help educate communities; and food and cooking traditions that have played a role in the Peace Corps experience. New: Enjoy photos from the second week of the exposition.

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May 26, 2011: The RPCV in the White House The RPCV in the White House 8 Apr Peace Corps Recruiter Remembers Thomas Maresco 2 Mar Robbie Schwartz writes: How would my life have been different? 2 Mar Rajiv Joseph is a fresh and compelling voice in theater 5 Mar Robert Textor Releases Peace Corps Classic 13 Mar Chris Matthews writes: What's the Real Mission In Libya? 22 Mar Peace Corps Faces Budget Ax in FY2012 23 Mar Brendan Moroso writes: Revolution comes to North Africa 23 Mar Jessica Moon Bernstein has exhibition "Ourrubberos" 26 Mar Joshua Stern Founds Envaya to Provide Interent Access 26 Mar Richard Sitler Photographs PCVs around the world 27 Mar Scott Lacy is Executive Director of African Sky 29 Mar American Sailor Accused of Raping PCV in Uganda 24 Apr Scott Koepke Shares his Love for Dirt 26 Apr Jane Wolkowicz tried to be Strict Vegetarian in Kazakhstan 27 Apr George Packer Writes: Bin Laden: Better Late Than Never 2 May Clare Major Screens Film "Feast & Sacrifice" 4 May Steve Kruse and Salifu Mansaray met 40 years ago 4 May SuZanne Kimbrell Rocks in Dallas 12 May Nancy Sathre-Vogel writes:A Long Path to Nowhere 15 May Gal Beckerman writes: What is Peace Corps for? 15 May Katie Dyer Founded Fair Trade Folk Art Gallery 17 May Henry Wilhelm Honored for his Photography 25 May

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Congressional Hearings on Sexual Assault Congress held hearings on the sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers. Read the testimony of RPCVs on how the problem is still ongoing, and not limited to any particular country or region. Director Williams says that "it has become apparent to me that the Peace Corps has not always been sufficiently responsive or sensitive to victims of crime and their families. I sincerely regret that." Read what the Peace Corps is doing to address the issue. Latest: Background on sexual assault of PCVs.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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