Colombia Events at Peace Corps Anniversary Celebration in DC
September 23, 2011
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC
Metro: Red line, Tenelytown stop. Free AU shuttle
Metro: Dupont Circle station, Red Line
Business attire appropriate
RSVP Although reservations are not necessary, your response will help us plan. Let us know how many will attend.
Email: president@friendsofcolombia.org
50 Años "Cuerpos de Paz"
June 2011 Newsletter Articles
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FOC President's Letter Arleen Stewart Cheston reflects on the PC 50th anniversary celebration and the efforts of FOC and its members "to continue a relationship with the Colombian people, to be of assistance and inform our friends and neighbors about this exceptionally beautiful country with its rich culture and generous, hospitable, vibrant people". Colombia Project Update "Within the last six months, Colombia Project partners in Génova, Quindío and Ariguaní, Magdalena pleasantly surprised us by recruiting new micro-loan sites. On Sister Ruby’s recommendation, we added Puerto Tejada in December, while Ariguaní will start issuing micro-loans in a nearby rural community in June, much as Santa Marta has done by offering micro-loans in Cienaga." Colombia Redux Phil Geissen of Colombia VIII and New Colombia I on thc challenges of Colombia today for PCVs. CARE-Peace in Colombia On the role of CARE managing community development and other major programs in PC's first five years in Colombia. |
Paso a Paso Scholarships The annual scholarships were awarded in Santa Marta with proud families in attendance. "The dream is to carry all 21 students through to the end of their schooling, and to empower them to reach their full potential." Short History of Paso a Paso On FOC's project to provide educational support children in Santa Marta in conjunction with local NGOs. In That Time of Our Live Jerry Norris (Colombia VI, 1963-65) on the formative influence of La Violencia on virtually everything in Colombia during the early Peace Corp years. Searching for Peace Jay Hersch's memoir of his PC service in Colombia and how it shaped his life. New Film on PC in Colombia Today and Yesterday Colombia One -- The Movie! A new film uses archival footage and interviews to retell the Colombia One experience. Colombia 46 (1966–68) 44th year reunion |
An Appreciation of Sargent Shriver's Lasting Impact
December 2010 Newsletter Articles
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Colombia Project Microcredit Progress Four program sites managing well their business and repaying loans, but are reluctant to invest in development. Journal of a New/Old Colombia PC Volunteer Phil Giesen describes the startup of the new Colombia volunteers. Training and the quality of group members: strong; bureaucracy and security: possibly overdone. Online English Teaching Opportunity Conducting classes on the web using Skype is being done in Haiti and on a smaller scale from Escuela Marina Orth in Medelln. Orth Foundation Update 2010 was a banner year: laptops for a second school, significant support from Hewlett Packard, Proctor and Gamble, stronger involvement by Colombian agencies, and more. FOC President's Letter Colombia 1 honored, Peace Corps and Colombia to be featured in 2011 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, plans for PC 50th Anniversary. |
Friends of Colombia and the Magdalena Foundation Support of FOC and RPCVs reaches a new high. 50th Anniversary Advice: Make Early Reservations On hotel availability and logistics of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in September 2011 Rutgers Unveils Commemorative Plaque Colombia 1 recognized as first PC group to enter training and their achievements in Colombia Colombia 1 Makes a Legacy Contribution Boost Support to FOC Scholarship project. Ronald Schwarz on Being Selected for Colombia 1 "Community development in rural Colombia? I was raised in Flatbush and took the BMT subway to Brooklyn Tech. My rural experience consisted of observing dairy cows while driving through upstate New York." U of Michigan Series to Mark Founding and Legacy of Peace Corps Welcome Back to Ambassador Gabriel Silva Gabriel Silva appointed Ambassador of Colombia to the United States (for the second time) by President Juan Manuel Santos. |
PC 50th Anniversary Celebration--DC Hotel Info
It’s Official: Peace Corps Returns to Colombia
"Peace Corps Returns to Colombia”— what a headline! Some of us remember the reception Ambassador Carolina Barco held for Friends of Colombia on the celebration of the Peace Corps’s 45th anniversary. Overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of RPCVs for her country and our impromptu singing of the Colombian National Anthem, she stated that she wanted to make the return of the Peace Corps to Colombia one of her goals during her tour as Ambassador.
Ambassador Barco enlisted our support, and we accompanied her and her staff to a meeting with then-Peace Corps Director Ronald A. Tschetter. At that time he was pessimistic about the prospect, due to budget and security issues, but advised that the first step was for President Uribe to make a formal request, which he did.
Over the next four years, Ambassador Barco lobbied the support of many. RPCV Sam Farr, always a friend of Colombia, was in a political position as Congressman to be of great assistance. It all came to pass on May 11, 2010, when Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams and Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermúdez signed the agreement. “We are honored that the government of Colombia has invited Peace Corps to establish a program in Colombia,” said Williams. “It has been nearly 50 years since President Kennedy established the Peace Corps, and although times have changed, our mission to promote world peace and friendship has not. This Peace Corps program will encourage Americans and Colombians to work side by side on Colombia’s education initiatives, with a focus on youth development in local communities.”
“The return of the Peace Corps to Colombia marks a sign of our deep, long-standing bonds and Colombia’s continued progress in delivering security to its people,” said U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William Brownfield. “From the time that Peace Corps volunteers stood beside Gabriel García Márquez and the literary circle of The Cava in Barranquilla to today, the presence of Americans teaching English to Colombians promotes a better understanding of each other’s cultures and the democratic values we share. Improved English skills will, in turn, better Colombians’ economic and educational opportunities, allowing them to compete in a globalized world.”
The first group of approximately 20 Peace Corps volunteers is scheduled to arrive in Colombia in the fall of 2010. The volunteers, trained in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), will work as English teachers in primary schools, secondary schools, and teacher training institutions. Volunteers will also work together with communities on grassroots initiatives and community development along the Atlantic Coast. The Peace Corps mission to promote world peace and friendship continues.
Colombia Project Reports Via Facebook
The Colombia Project is using the Facebook social networking website to present pictorial reports on project activities and the recent due diligence site visit by board members Helene Dudley and David Snyder February 26 - March 3 2010.
The reports powerfully illustrate the work of the project.
WAYUU
Life in La Guajira ●
Weavers Coop Expansion
FUNDEHUMAC Site Visit ●
Helene Dudley
Letter