(Click on any of the highlighted links for these blogs) This message goes to all those in the “service industry.” I’m speaking of people like teachers, nurses, NGO workers, Peace Corps volunteers, and others: people who want to make a difference. I have often wondered if I made a difference or influenced others because of…Read more »
Tonga, Post Volcanic Explosion
I was on a hiatus, traveling internationally, but I’m back and wanted to give attention to and an update about Tonga where I served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1973-74. As a member of Friends of Tonga (FOT), this past year has been the most challenging for FOT since their inception. January 14th marked…Read more »
“Letters Never Written”
John Kucij served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1971-1973 in Voinjama, Liberia. John returned to Liberia in 1997 with a Friends of Liberia (FOL) delegation to be an “Observer” of the Liberian presidential election that was to end to civil war. His heart wrenching story of what he found when he returned to Liberia…Read more »
“Ripping Out the Seams”
Rebekah Schulz reads an excerpt of her story about the deep bond she formed with a Liberian woman who taught her a valuable lesson during her sewing classes. The fragility of life in Liberia culminated with an ending that Rebekah will never forget. Read the full story and 62 others from 50 authors in our…Read more »
“The Concerned Women of Weamamuo”
Nimu Sidhu shares an excerpt of her touching story of how she joined the women in her village in Liberia to protest a dangerous bridge.Their success shows the power of uniting for one common cause. Nimu served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Vaye Town, Liberia from 2013-14. Read her full story and…Read more »
“Peace Corps Goals Liberian Ways”
Maxwell Sines writes a beautiful story contrasting eating, sleeping and living in the Silicon Valley, his home in California, versus Tappita, Liberia where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2010-2012. Read his full story and 62 others from 50 authors in our anthology, Never the Same Again: Life, Service, and Friendship in Liberia.…Read more »
PEACE CORPS MAN
Sixty-three short stories and poems were published in the anthology, Never the Same Again: Life Service and Friendship in Liberia. Five of the authors have videoed their experiences and writings and I am honored to share the first one with you. Sit back and allow John to transport you from his hometown in Pennsylvania to…Read more »
West Coast Book Launch Video
Here is our taped West Coast Book launch of our Anthology, Never the Same Again, hosted by Village Books in Bellingham, WA with the introduction by the chief editor, Susan Greisen. We had readings from 6 of our authors: Dorothy Hares, John Miller, Joan Hamilton, Susan Greisen, Barbara Burke, and Maxwell Sines. Nearly 100 people…Read more »
Planting a Seed
In 1971, my first year as a 20 year-old Peace Corps volunteer in Zorgowee, Liberia, my role was to teach health education to mothers regarding antenatal and well-baby care. In the 70s, infant mortality in the first two weeks of life and maternal mortality was 40%, respectively. This meant that 4 in 10 mothers and…Read more »
Beyond Campfire Chatter
While on a camping excursion with friends and neighbors sitting around the campfire on a warm August evening, for some strange reason, the discussion turned to protein foods. Some of us shivered with “Oohs,” “Awes,” and “Yucks” as a few recalled tasting unsavory insects in certain parts of Asia. One of my neighbors, Chris, who…Read more »