Hello everyone,
This issue has updates on NPCA conference, an opportunity to purchase the beautiful 2018 international calendar, opportunities to donate, news, and a request to expand our Board with a new member. Please read below!
Thank you!
Board members: Paul, Carol, Martha, Todd, Jim, Kathy, and Joe
PAST NEWSLETTERS 2017
CALL FOR BOARD MEMBER
Please welcome Kathy Morton RPCV Zaire 1989-1991 as our newest board member! And ...
PCF of DR Congo is still searching for one more member to join and expand our Board. If interested, would you read this information on the Join our Board page and email friendsofcongo@gmail.com ?
DONATE AND WHY!
As former Peace Corps volunteers from Zaire/DRC we've learned to love the country and people. The funds raised go to non-profits such as StandProud.org (see section below on what this great organization does) who are working to support the people of the Congo.
You can donate $15 annually through the affiliate group but is easier to donate directly through our website: www.sangonini.org/donate
We suggest the following:
- If you have not already done so, go to peacecorpsconnect.org and create an account for your free membership.
- Choose your annual plan among several levels. It is okay to choose Free if you do not wish to commit right away. There are also many opportunities to donate through special campaigns.
- Our Friends of DR Congo affiliate group page
DR CONGO NEWS
Congolese art is recovering from its lowest days but paint and canvas for Congolese artists often still have to be brought in the luggage of foreign patrons. Read the Economist article Painting their land …
A cache of decaying notebooks found in a crumbling Congo research station has provided unexpected evidence with which to help solve a crucial puzzle – predicting how vegetation will respond to climate change. Read the full Guardian article ...
STANDPROUD AND WORLD POLIO DAY
Tuesday, October 24 was World Polio Day. Read about StandProud's most recent educational effort with Better World Education to help those with polio in the Democratic Republic of Congo. . StandProud.org is one of the organization that we in Peace Corps Friends of DR Congo support through annual donation.
Go to the interactive map: the decade of the last recorded case of paralytic polio by country Shown is when the last case of wild-type polio was recorded. It remains endemic in three countries.
JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP AND FOLLOW THE FACEBOOK PAGE
We have a PCF of DR Congo Facebook Page and there is a separate (very active) Peace Corps Congo Facebook Group (not created by us) in which you can join to view posts and contribute. In both cases you must have a Facebook account and log in.
NPCA CONFERENCE DENVER, AUGUST 2017
 Reported by Carol Belanger, pictured with Marilyn Hyde. The conference was held at the University of Denver. The first day was for the Affiliate Groups. There were approximately 100 people in attendance representing both country of service groups and geographical area groups. The NPCA presented a listing of their “toolkit” for helping the affiliate groups. An interesting statistic presented was that there are now 225,000 RPCV’s.
The NPCA would like the affiliate groups to take part in their Community Builder Platform, aka Silkstart. It is an integrated membership data base which they feel would increase membership by making it easier for members to maneuver. There were comments pro and con from the rpcv’s at the meeting.
Note! At this time Peace Corps Friends of DR Congo has decided not to use the SilkStart toolkit and continues to provide information, update, and resources through our dedicated website: www.sangonini.org .
There is also a Legacy Fund being set up for Peace Corps memorabilia. They are not a Peace Corps affiliated group but the separate entity: Museum of the Peace Corps Experience . The contact person is Nicola Dina: peacecorpsmuseum@gmail.com
The next few days had video presentations on “Partnering For Prosperity Finalist Presentations”, panelist conversations with Sheila Crowley, the acting Peace Corps Director; an award given to Dr. Dee Aker from the Women of Peace Corps Legacy; and the Harris Wolford Global Citizen Award given to Siotame Drew Havea.
The conclusion was on Sunday with a buffet of dishes from the Peace Corps Cookbook, delicious! The exhibitors were there for the last day.
INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR 2018
The Peace Corps International Calendar 2018 is now available for purchase on our web site: www.sangonini.org . Each month is printed on high quality paper accompanied by beautiful photographs of areas where Peace Corps Volunteers have served. All profits go towards providing humanitarian projects in the Congo.
Countries featured in 2018: Sudan, Nepal, Myanmar, Ukraine, Madagascar, Thailand, Niger, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, India, Lesotho, and Iran.
MAF HELPS CONJOINED TWINS SURVIVE
This inspiring story about Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Nampa, Utah. MAF was operating in the Eastern Congo when RCPV Marilyn Hyde was serving in Kivu. Thanks for sharing, Marilyn!
A pair of conjoined twins –- who, against all odds, were born naturally in the remote village of Muzombo, western Democratic Republic of Congo -- have survived following an epic 870-mile round trip to be separated, thanks to efforts from the Nampa-based Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Read the full story: Nampa's Mission Aviation Fellowship helps conjoined twins survive
TOWERING TASK DOCUMENTARY
Mission: keep the Peace Corps relevant on the world stage by honoring its iconic past,while ushering in a New Era of Possibility
Goal: A Towering Task envisions a New Era of Possibility for the Peace Corps by igniting engagement of past, present and future stakeholders and advocates for peace.
Read a complete overview of the Towering Task Documentary by RPCV/W (ashington) including how you can support the project.
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