special issue: inauguration 2009 - National Peace Corps Association

Giving Back
The Peace Corps Community
Making a Difference
Edited by JoAnna Haugen
assistance and performance-based
teacher awards. President of the Board
of Directors Neil Mellen (Micronesia,
Yap Outer Islands 02-05), treasurer Tom
Lutte (Micronesia, Yap Proper 02-04) and
member Marc McNamara (Madagascar
03-05) are among the Habele staff who
coordinate efforts with Peace Corps
volunteers currently serving in the islands.
www.habele.org
MAKING WAVES IN
HONDURAS AND PERU
In many coastal cities across the
world, tourists stop by to surf but
local communities rarely benefit from
this fleeting tourism. WAVES for
Development, founded by David
Aabo (Peru), uses surfing as a vehicle to
empower youth. The community-based
educational programs supported by this
not-for-profit organization promote life
skills, environmental conservation, social
entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism.
Through these programs, WAVES
for Development takes advantage of
surfing resources to meet community
development goals and help reduce
poverty. In Honduras, Project Wave
of Optimism (WOO) is promoting
sustainable community development by
working with local residents to acquire its
first public bus company, which would
provide much-needed transportation.
Founded by Nick Mucha and Adam
Monaghan (Honduras), Project WOO
has also helped pay the salaries of a few
elementary school teachers, provided
educational materials, helped with water
and sanitation projects, and improved
roads in the area.
www.wavesfordevelopment.org,
www.projectwoo.org
MEDICAL HELP IN HONDURAS
This year Central American Medical
Outreach, Inc., (CAMO) celebrated 15
years as a humanitarian aid organization
dedicated to strengthening health care
systems and promoting sustainable
community development in Honduras.
CEO Kathryn Tschiegg, RN (Honduras
79-81) founded the organization after
researching how best to integrate medical
equipment and education into the public
health system and social fabric of Central
America. Since its inception, CAMO has
renovated a hospital and public health
and community buildings, expanded
healthcare programs, and donated
medical supplies and expertise.
www.camo.org
TECHNOLOGY FOR EVERYONE
Interconnection, a non-profit
organization founded and directed by
Charles Brennick (Paraguay), strives to
make information technology accessible
to underserved communities around the
world. The organization donates highquality,
low-cost refurbished computers
as well as Internet services and training to
those without these things. By doing so,
Interconnection also provides a service to
those stateside who are unsure what to do
with computers and technology they no
longer want.
www.interconnection.org
NATURAL HEALING IN NEPAL
Rob Buckley is the founder of the nonprofit
organization Himalayan Healers,
a program that trains people in massage
who are normally discriminated against
in society. After training, these healers
are employed to work in one of eight
spas/boutiques in Nepal where they make
a healthy wage in a well-respected trade.
Himalayan Healers is currently raising
$20,000 to open a branch in Grand
Junction, Colo.
www.himalayanhealers.org
EDUCATION IN MICRONESIA
Designed to provide scholarships and
tuition-assistance grants to children in the
“low” or “outer” islands of Micronesia,
Habele Outer Island Education Fund
offers these students the opportunity to
attend independent schools they would
otherwise not be able to afford. The nonprofit
organization also supports public
schools through book donations, material
EDUCATION IN HONDURAS
Burgeoning scholars in Central Honduras
who wish to continue their educational
careers are given that opportunity
through The Central Honduras
Education (CHE) Fund. Since 2005,
founders Aaron Banas (Honduras,
Ecuador), David Burke (Honduras) and
Mike Mazza (Honduras) have used their
existing friendships in Honduras to create
a bridge between deserving Honduran
students and scholarship donors. In
addition to the academic opportunities
given to the students, this year The
CHE Fund sponsored a two-week oral
health education and caries prevention
project, which provided oral health
instruction, treatment and distribution
of toothbrushes and toothpaste to nearly
700 elementary school students.
http://chefund.org/home.html
OPENING THE DOOR TO
LEARNING IN GUATEMALA
Co-founded in January 2007 by
Amanda Flayer (Guatemala), The Open
Door Children’s Library offers a public
space for children to explore literature,
academics and creativity. The non-profit
learning center serves an average of
50 children daily in addition to three
classroom visits a week with a variety
of activities that spark creativity and
curiosity, including reading clubs, art
activities, puppet shows and story hours.
The Open Door Children’s Library also
exposes teachers to new teaching styles
and is open to the public for research
and investigation as well.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to:
Theodore C. Ning
STARFISH ONE BY ONE
33424 Deep Forest Road
Evergreen, CO 80439
42 Spring 2009