A Man and His Animals
By Jerry Cronin Many consider the Peace Corps Volunteers pseudo-hippie idealists who don’t accomplish anything. When I arrived in Bogotá in September, 1964, I had no idea where I would be sent.
Corona Contradictions
By Margarita Sorock A man in bermudas and a T-shirt arrives at the entrance to the Pearly Gates. St. Peter (very harried): Where are you from? Man in bermudas: Cartagena. St. Peter:
Transformative Chocolate
Recently evacuated Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) Elyse Magen would like to thank FOC for contributing to her National Peace Corps Association fundraising campaign “Economic Empowerment of Women in Colombia.” The campaign
TCP Global Micro Loan Program
Yasmila often takes her Miracle Pot (La Olla Milagrosa) and a chicken to the poorest barrios around Fundación, inviting each family to contribute something—corn, yuca, potatoes, carrots or whatever they can spare.
Colombia’s Amazing Race to Build a $1,000 Ventilator
By Maureen Orth (PC Colombia 1964-1966) Long-time FOC member, Maureen Orth, recently reported on how three teams from Medellin built ventilator prototypes for COVID-19 in just ten days! Colombia can’t afford to
Senior Citizens Get In Free
By Margarita Sorock and Suzanne Adam, December 2019 We were intrigued by Parque Tayrona: its mountains and ocean, monkeys and magpies, and treacherous trails. It was not open to the public when
Once a volunteer, always a volunteer by Michael Band
By Michael Band, Colombia II-3 I was a Teaching English for Livelihoods Volunteer in La Boquilla, Bolivar from 2011 to 2014. I got the call when I was walking back from an
Kay and Kevin Dixon’s Return to Colombia
By Kay Dixon (RPCV 1962-1964) We grin at each other; I gently squeeze Kevin’s hand. The pilot announces, “We are making our final descent into El Dorado International Airport, Bogota, Colombia.” We
The Role of Microfinance
By Helene Dudley Peace Corps taught me to be comfortable in a diverse and interesting world. It taught me not to just tolerate differences but to embrace them. Peace Corps also taught
How Creativity Blossoms During Service Words and Photos by Alexandra Tracy
Never before in my life have I gotten to work so closely and so often with many artisans, indigenous crafters, seamstresses, and entrepreneurs. My Peace Corps volunteer service encouraged me to work