Peace Corps Online: What Ethiopia RPCVs are doing today

When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Ask Not
As our country prepares for the inauguration of a President, we remember one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century and how his words inspired us. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
January 15, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
Bellamy finishing term - Veneman to head Unicef 15 Jan
230 RPCVs volunteer for Crisis Corps 14 Jan
Peace Corps Fund needs silent auction items 12 Jan
Matt Gould in one-man Peace Corps show in Hollywood 12 Jan
Taylor Hackford's "Ray" Nominated for Golden Globe 12 Jan
Ambassador Johnson shares memories of Thailand 11 Jan
Senator Dodd suggests PC return to Venezuela 11 Jan
Ambassador Hull wants PC to return to Sierra Leone 11 Jan
Poiriers unhappy with PC investigation of missing son 10 Jan
Emile Hons reflects on the Deborah Gardner murder case 10 Jan
Judge Paul A. Bastine criticized for stalling Divorce 6 Jan
Volunteer Patricia D. Scatoloni dies in Macedonia 4 Jan
more top stories...
Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion
Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."
RPCVs active in new session of Congress
In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.
Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid
Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?
The World's Broken Promise to our Children
Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.
Changing of the Guard
With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.
Our debt to Bill Moyers
Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."
RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack
RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.
Is Gaddi Leaving?
Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.
The Birth of the Peace Corps
UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

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By Anonymous (71-212-119-225.tukw.qwest.net - 71.212.119.225) on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 6:13 pm: Edit Post

Daughter looks for former Peace Corps dad

ADDIS ABABA - Azeb Tim Williams was fathered by an American Peace Corps volunteered who had lived in Ethiopia between 1968 and 1972. Tim Williams was in Ethiopia in 1999, according to the source, trying to trace the young woman with whom he had a baby. Hoping the public would help her find her dad, Azeb has issued the following letter of appeal:
My name is Mrs. Azeb Tim Williams. I am an Ethiopian woman seeking USA citizenship on the ground that my father Mr Tim Williams who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia (1968-1972) is an American through and through. Mr Guangul Teshager, a full time Ethiopian government company lawyer, became very sympathetic with my situation and volunteered to help me absolutely for free during his spare time.

I did appear with Mr Guangul Teshager before the US Consular Officer in Ethiopia claiming US citizenship. The US Consular Office in Ethiopia has required Mr Tim William's written acknowledgement. I submitted his letter of acknowledgment which he signed 36 years ago. They again wanted Tim Williams to confirm that the signature on that document is his signature. Mr Tim Williams was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia from 1968-1972.
Mr Tim Williams was loyal to the mission and objectives of the Peace Corps as an institution. He sacrificed the comforts of America and volunteered to help Ethiopians in an unfamiliar and stressful situation. I am confident he won't do anything that dusts the long standing excellent name of the Peace Corps. He did many wonderful jobs during his stay as a peace Corps from 1968-72 and that was the time he met my mother and I was born from that relationship.

I am now looking for him. My lawyer, Mr Guangul Teshager, has filed a petition on my behalf to the USA Embassy in Ethiopia. The USA Embassy officials in Ethiopia are trying to reach him. Tim's email address (twwillia@clark.net) which I found in the internet bounced back. I am told by my mother that he was kind and considerate. He could be as well toiling trying to trace me.

I heard he was in Ethiopia in 1999 but I presume he might have been disappointed after a long tedious search to meet his first daughter. I beg you to assist my father in his search to find his daughter.

I can be reached through my lawyer, Mr. Guangul Teshager. My lawyer's email address is: guangulteshager@yahoo.com. His cell phone is: +251911256492

I highly value and appreciate your kind cooperation.

Azeb Tim Williams