Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Crisis Corps update

The Peace Corps recently opened multiple HIV/AIDS Technical Assistant positions throughout Malawi . The full position description is available at www.friendsofmalawi.org. Please read it over and contact Christina Breuer cbreuer@peacecorps.gov as soon as possible if you think you may be qualified, interested, and available for this assignment. The expected departure for this assignment is December 2007. The recruitment process consists of a phone interview, reference checks and medical and legal clearance. The entire recruitment and placement process can take up to 8 weeks. If you are interested, it is important that you act quickly.
For a complete list of open Crisis Corps positions go to www.peacecorps.gov/crisiscorps. If you have not been in contact with Crisis Corps in the recent past and would like to update your application, please send an updated resume to crisiscorps@peacecorps.gov.

Xmas in October

Here's the much delayed final update from Bruce on Christmas in October. Photos are below. To view them better, simply click on them.
Our combined volunteer teams finished the two week project on time and in glorious fashion (so I'm biased). The final coats of exterior paint were applied Saturday, blue "swimming" for base color, white for trim, and a grey-brown for concrete. Even some of the guys from the "hood" remarked how well the house looked. I especially thank our other volunteer teams, the USDA-SRRC and the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine teams, for sending such able-bodied volunteers.


The combined volunteer teams managed to scrape and prime the entire exterior of the project house this past Saturday. I thank all of you who volunteered to keep our efforts on time. Besides painting, damaged weatherboard was replaced and one door frame was upgraded.

October 13, 2007


IMG_6035.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

I feel like there's gotta be some joke here about how many RPCVs it takes to paint a house, but I'm not that smart.

October 13, 2007


IMG_6028.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

Kneeling before the paint gods.

October 13, 2007


IMG_6029.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

Painting in the cool shade of the porch.

October 13, 2007


IMG_6033.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

Workin hard?

October 13, 2007


IMG_6036.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

Lookin good, working hard

October 13, 2007


IMG_6040.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

So many busy bees, turning blue.

October 13, 2007


IMG_6041.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

Taking care of the most important part of any volunteer effort: the free food.

October 13, 2007


IMG_6038.JPG, originally uploaded by bageltogo.

Xmas in October, the second day

Friday, October 12, 2007

RPCV's Film up for award

New Orleans filmmaker Nina K. Müller-Schwarze's (RPCV Panama, 1999-2001) film Diablos Rojos has been nominated for two awards at the Royal Anthropological Institute film festival.
Please come celebrate at a re-showing of the film. [Highly recommended]
Sunday, October 14, 2007
7 PM
Asian Pacific Café
3125 Esplanade Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119

(Diablos Rojos; Los Buses de Panama describes bus art and examines globalization and cultural identity through the symbol of the Panamanian painted bus. Spanish w/English subtitles.
You can actually buy copies of the film here.
Asian Pacific Café is one of New Orleans' most innovative restaurants. Chef Amy cooks up Hawaiian, Philippines, Japanese and New Orleans fusion dishes. The restaurant also boasts a sushi bar, a sake bar, an outdoor movie theater, and a goldfish pond.


-From Bruce Ingber

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

XMAS again

There will be more Christmas in October fun this weekend. If you're interested in details of who this is benefiting, see the below post on it. This time, be warned, photos will be taken and posted here. And this time it will be just a painting day.
If you can carpool, i.e. pik up a bunch of college kids and take them there, meet at the the PJs at Willow and McCallister Uptown at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Meet Tschetter online

Special Invitation to Peace Corps Director's Virtual Presentation


Louisiana RPCVs are invited to an online presentation by Ronald A. Tschetter the third director in the history of Peace Corps to serve as a Volunteer (India, 1966-1968). Hear his stories from the field and gain insight into the global Peace Corps programs and initiatives.

Tuesday, October 2 @ 2:30 p.m. (CDT)

Visit this website to register for the event.

After registering for the meeting, you will receive an email message confirming your registration. This message will provide the information that you need to join the meeting. If you have questions about the event, please contact Shannon Borders, Public Affairs Specialist, at sborders@peacecorps.gov or (214) 253-5418.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Ethnic Dinner gathering

Wednesday, September 26
7:00 p.m. at Nile Cafe (The)

3100 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70115

Cost will be $15 and include chicken, beef, fish, salad, soup and grape leaves for an appetizer (and probably a non-alcoholic drink-we are waiting on restaurant to confirm this).

Please RSVP by Monday, September 24 to Sarah Harelson, Ethnic Dinner Coordinator, at sharelso@tulane.edu

Erica Gannon, Southwest Regional Peace Corps Recruiter, will attend to discuss happenings, etc. and introduce herself to our group.

Other items on our agenda include discussion of Rebuilding Together-Christmas in October 2007, We'll also have RPCV calendars and LPCA T-shirts for sale.

And don't forget about Christmas in October, for which you can get details at the dinner.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Dinner with the regional Peace Corps recruiter

Louisiana RPCVs and a guest are invited to a presentation by Ronald A. Tschetter the
third director in the history of Peace Corps to serve as a Volunteer (India,
1966-1968).



Monday, October 1, 2007

7 p.m. * Reception

7:30 p.m. * Director's Presentation

Bath House Cultural Center

521 E. Lawther Drive

Dallas, Texas 75218



Seating is limited. Please RSVP early by sending an e-mail to
rsvp@peacecorps.gov.



The Bath House is located on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake at the end
of Northcliff Drive off of Buckner Blvd. Transit to the Bath House via East
Lawther Drive is blocked off. Please access the center from Northcliff Drive
off of Buckner Boulevard.



Bath House Cultural Center Gallery Features Democratic Republic of Congo:
The Forgotten War



During the reception, you are invited to enjoy the Bath House Cultural
Center's gallery featuring photographs from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo depicting the work of the international humanitarian organization
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The extraordinary
images shed light on the suffering of the Congolese people as they struggle
to survive a war that remains virtually invisible to the outside world.

Final Details

For more details, contact Bruce at bingber@srrc.ars.usda.gov

Otherwise, here's the rest:
Our Louisiana Peace Corps Association is again sponsoring a team to assist with
the volunteer efforts of Rebuilding Together: Christmas In October (RT-CIO).
RT-CIO is the local affiliate of the National Rebuilding Together Organization,
and also an important program of the Preservation Resource Center of New
Orleans. The goal of RT-CIO, created in 1988, is "a continuing volunteer effort
to improve the quality of life for low-income, elderly and/or disabled
homeowners through home repair and the revitalization of New Orleans
neighborhoods". Post-Katrina the program has taken on an expanded effort
continuing throughout the year. Their staff has grown to 25 full-time paid and
volunteer employees. Since 2005, 2500 volunteers from around the country have
worked on local projects rebuilding over 50 homes. However, they still needs
resources and volunteers from Louisiana familiar with local "situations".

The dates of the workday project will be on Saturday, October 6, 13, and 20 (if
needed) 2007 from 8:00-4:00 PM. Our 2007 volunteer house is located on 1741
Marigny St. in the Faubourg St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans. Oscar and
Rosetta Francois are the homeowners of the property and both are retired. Mrs.
Francois suffered a stroke 14 years ago while her husband must deal daily with
Alzheimer's Disease. Their home had both severe flooding and wind damage from
Hurricane Katrina. Mrs. Francois began repairs herself painting the interior and
initiating work on the roof. Much work still remains to be completed. Our
workscope involves painting the total exterior of the house.

Our team will again share resources and expertise with volunteers from several
other teams, including the Tulane University School of Public Health and
Tropical Medicine, and the USDA-SRRC.

Email Bruce if you wish to volunteer for this year's project. Participants may
volunteer for half or all day workdays, if so desired. Breakfast coffee and
donuts will be supplied. Pizzas and other food will be available for lunch
along with water and soft drinks. Food donations will be accepted. Besides
painters and scrapers, we need photographers (1-2), people (1-2) to assist with
check-in, and someone to monitor supplies for each workday. Volunteers must be
18 years of age or older. Look for more information in the coming weeks!

Our house for 2007 is located at the corner of Marigny and N. Derbigny Sts. one
block off Elysian Fields. It is a fairly large one-story corner house. The
workscope is exterior work only: scraping (with protection from lead
particulates), priming, and painting. About 30 feet of weather board need
replacing. No gutter or drain-pipe work-this is all professional. Again: no
interior work at all!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Christmas in October, y'all

Rebuilding Together 2007 (Christmas In October)

Our Louisiana Peace Corps Association is again sponsoring a team to assist with
the volunteer efforts of Rebuilding Together: Christmas In October (RT-CIO).
RT-CIO is the local affiliate of the National Rebuilding Together Organization,
and also an important program of the Preservation Resource Center of New
Orleans. The goal of RT-CIO, created in 1988, is "a continuing volunteer effort
to improve the quality of life for low-income, elderly and/or disabled
homeowners through home repair and the revitalization of New Orleans
neighborhoods". Post-Katrina the program has taken on an expanded effort
continuing throughout the year. Their staff has grown to 25 full-time paid and
volunteer employees. Since 2005, 2500 volunteers from around the country have
worked on local projects rebuilding over 50 homes. However, they still needs
resources and volunteers from Louisiana familiar with local "situations".

The dates of the workday project will be on Saturday, October 6, 13, and 20 (if
needed) 2007 from 8:00-4:00 PM. Our 2007 volunteer house is located on 1741
Marigny St. in the Faubourg St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans. Oscar and
Rosetta Francois are the homeowners of the property and both are retired. Mrs.
Francois suffered a stroke 14 years ago while her husband must deal daily with
Alzheimer's Disease. Their home had both severe flooding and wind damage from
Hurricane Katrina. Mrs. Francois began repairs herself painting the interior and
initiating work on the roof. Much work still remains to be completed. Our
workscope involves painting the total exterior of the house.

Our team will again share resources and expertise with volunteers from several
other teams, including the Tulane University School of Public Health and
Tropical Medicine and the USDA-SRRC Employee's Benefit Club

Email me if you wish to volunteer for this year's project. Participants may
volunteer for half or all day workdays, if so desired. Breakfast coffee and
donuts will be supplied. Pizzas and other food will be available for lunch
along with water and soft drinks. Food donations will be accepted. Besides
painters and scrapers, we need photographers (1-2), people (1-2) to assist with
check-in, and someone to monitor supplies for each workday. Volunteers must be
18 years of age or older. Look for more information in the coming weeks!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

LaPCA's home base mourns

There is no Louisiana Peace Corps Association news, save that regarding the home of many of its RPCVs.
Bruce Ingber, longtime the mortar for LaPCA's organization, was personally touched recently by one of New Orleans all too frequent homicides. Bruce worked with both the victim and his father.
Here is the Times-Picayune's eloquent feature on the victim and his family.

http://www.nola.com/living/t-p/index.ssf?/base/living-8/1186898445248190.xml&coll=1

Here is the Times-Pic's initial story on Mayor Ray Nagin's foot-in-mouth incident shortly before the murder took place.

http://blog.nola.com/jeff_crouere/2007/08/oops_he_did_it_again_nagin_emb.html


I wanted to post this for the few who might not now about New Orleans' uneasy atmosphere.
I know that as a RPCV, I was not alone in having lived through trauma at my post, and that as a Katrina survivor, I was not alone in having lived through the trauma of that disaster.
Now, a new trauma is visited upon New Orleanians every week, some harder than others. I, as I imagine many others do, soldier on, and put an arm around others to help them when I can. It is almost always just a kind word, and sometimes it is just a continued vow to remember to try and make the world around me a better place.
So, for the few who read this, forget the Crescent City not, and reach out to support New Orleanians when you can because New Orleanians would surely do the same for you.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Ethnic Dinner (Come Say Hi) (RSVP Now!)

Join us at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 22 for the next LPCA dinner at
Bennachin Restaurant (African style), located at 1212 Royal Street in the French
Quarter.

Today (Friday, July 20) is the last day to RSVP!

We'll discuss the possibility of reviving our paticipation with Rebuilding Together: Christmas in October. Hopefully we can put together a volunteer team again.

The cost of the dinner is $15 per person and includes a soft drink. The
restaurant does not serve liquor but people may bring their own.

Please RSVP to Dinner Coordinator Sarah Harelson at sharelso@tulane.edu by
Friday, July 20 so that Sarah can give Bennachin an accurate count for food.

The new 2008 Peace Corps calendars will be on sale for $10 each. Hope to see
y'all there!

Note: near Royal and Gov. Nicholls 2 blocks inside the Quarter from Esplanade
Ave.

1212 Royal St
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 522-1230

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Dear Fellow RPCVs:

My name is Brian Peterson and I was a PCV in Ukraine from 2003-2005. I
served as a TEFL volunteer in a secondary school in a small town in
eastern Ukraine. While there, I became familiar with an organization
called American Councils for International Education and one of the
programs it administers: the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX).
About a year after returning home to the U.S., I found a job at American
Councils, working with their secondary school exchange programs. I now
work with placing students on three different competitive, merit-based,
exchange programs funded by the State Department.

- Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) for students from the former
Soviet Union
- Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) for students from Afghanistan
- American Serbia and Montenegro Leadership Exchange (A-SMYLE)

The students on these programs are selected for their high fluency in
English and their active involvement at school and in their comminties.
While in the U.S., they not only learn about American culture and
history and teach Americans about their own, but also gain an
understanding of important elements of a civil society, including the
rule of law, volunteerism, community service, and the involvement of
citizens in solving societal problems, while acquiring the values and
skills that will enable them to serve as agents for the transformation
of their home countries.

While in Ukraine, I had the opportunity to work at an English-language
summer camp in Mykolayiv and co-teach with FLEX alumni at the university
level. I was amazed at how committed these students (many only 18 or
19) were to improving their local communities. Several were, and
remain, actively involved in initiating, and working with, programs to
help such groups as orphans, orphans with disabilities, Ukrainians
suffereing from drug addiction, and helping to educate the general
population about HIV/AIDS.

I am contacting you because, as fellow RPCVs, I know that you are
interested in cultural exchange and probably you are acquainted with
like-minded folks. If you are interested in the possibility of hosting
an exchange student, or know people or groups in your community or
nationwide that might be interested, please pass on this message and
take a look at the attached information. I also ask that you consider
passing this message on to your Peace Corps country group.

Thank you for your commitment to cultural exchange and the belief that
we can change our world for the better.

The Third Goal: "Helping promote a better understanding of other
peoples on the part of Americans."


Warm regards,
Brian Peterson
RPCV Ukraine, '03-'05

Brian Peterson
Program Assistant - Inbound Secondary School Programs
American Councils for International Education
1776 Massachussetts Ave. N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel.: 202.833.7522
Fax: 202.833.7523
bpeterson@americancouncils.org

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Bonne Arrivee!

Bienvenue au the Louisiana Peace Corps Association blog. This page will serve as a calendar, meeting place, information site and for other effects.