A Royal (Caribbean) Reunion

Sixty years after service, Malawi 4 volunteers reunite

In what may be a first for Peace Corps reunions, eight former Peace Corps Volunteers, now in their 80s, members of the “Malawi 4” (or “Malawi IV”) public health project (1964 to 1966), plus spouses and supporters, headed out to sea to celebrate an exciting 60-Year Reunion in the Caribbean.  They embarked on a memorable 6-night cruise called “Western Caribbean & Perfect Day,” departing Fort Lauderdale on May 25, 2025 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.

They were an extraordinary group of 41 people, sent to Malawi, Africa, in 1964, the poorest nation on earth at that time.  They were idealistic young American men and women, freshly graduated from college, who wanted to make a difference in this world.  Most were inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s famous call to action at his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961:  “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” They voluntarily sacrificed years of their lives to help those in need.

Attendees at the 60-Year Reunion aboard the Oasis of the Seas. From left: Thomas Popp, Lillian Woolf, Bernard Sarrel, Robert Doxsey, John Krevitt, Dina Weinstein, Arthur Weinstein, Chris Barnekov, Timothy Barnekov, Jack Allison, Lillie Kamanu, and Stephanie Grant. The sign held at the center reads: “U.S. PEACE CORPS, MALAWI, AFRICA, 1964-1967, 60-YEAR REUNION CRUISE On the Oasis of the Seas, May 25-31, 2025, “MALAWI IV” PUBLIC HEALTH.”

They were spread out around Malawi.  Each of them tested about 1,000 people for tuberculosis in assigned villages by means of the Mantoux skin test, chest x-rays, and microscopic sputum analysis. After identifying TB cases, they delivered medications to patients at their homes and monitored their recovery under medical supervision.

Malawi 4 was the first public health project launched by the Peace Corps in that country. The presence of young Americans working side-by-side with Malawi men and women on public health projects was unprecedented. Most were so profoundly affected by their time in Malawi that after their two-year stints, they pursued careers in public health, medicine, nursing, hospital administration, community development, vocational rehabilitation and social work.

The reunion cruise was organized by us – Art and Dina Weinstein of Los Angeles. We arranged for Royal Caribbean to seat all of us together for dinners every night in the main dining room.  We alternated seats daily, which allowed for greater inclusion and interaction.

We reached out to Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean. Through his intervention we were allowed to use a spacious meeting room. We met in the room on two cruising-only days.  Royal Caribbean baked a delicious 60-year ‘anniversary’ cake for us.  We reminisced about our time in Malawi and heard from our active members about their continuing volunteer work in Malawi – still one of the poorest nations on earth.

Royal Caribbean even gifted us with a professional photo shoot of our group plus a printed photo for every RPCV on the cruise. The cost is normally $500 but we got it for free.

Presentations made in the conference room included:

1. A review of color photographs from 1964 by Malawi 4 Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) Lil Woolf showing our group during three months of stateside training at Harvard University and University of North Carolina School of Public Health plus a week of in-country group orientation in Malawi.
2. An uplifting presentation by RPCV Jack Allison (Malawi 11, Under Fives Baby Clinics, 1967-1969), author of “The Warm Heart of Africa: An Outrageous Adventure of Love, Music, and Mishaps in Malawi” (A Peace Corps Writers Book, 2020).
3. A reading by Malawi 4 RPCV Tim Barnekov from his former wife’s diary of their fascinating experiences in Malawi in 1964-65
4. A discussion by one super-dedicated Malawi 4 RPCV, Tom Popp, about his continuing efforts to support educational success for kids in Karonga, in northern Malawi, through a foundation he established there.

Twelve former Volunteers and spouses attended. We had a marvelous time, meeting for great meals each day, enjoying wonderful entertainment together and visiting three island ports – CocoCay in The Bahamas, Falmouth, Jamaica, and Nassau, The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean provided an excellent array of entertainment, one of which was “CATS – The Broadway Musical”.

During the course of the reunion, we reflected upon the passing of some 13 of our 41 members over the years, as well as the suffering of several fellow volunteers now afflicted with medical problems that made it impossible to join the reunion.  At the last dinner together before disembarkation, accompanied by wine and champagne, everyone spoke their parting thoughts.  It was noted that we were blessed to have a brief moment in time together to renew our friendships, but must now part company and go our separate ways.  Art recited an Irish blessing which brought many to tears. It reads as follows: 

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Members of the “Malawi 4” public health project gather around a cake reading “60 Year Peace Corps Reunion.” From left (with Malawi location assignments in parentheses): Bernie Sarrel (Blantyre), Tim Barnekov (Zomba), Stephanie Grant (Lilongwe), Lil Woolf (Blantyre), Tom Popp (Karonga), John Krevitt (Chikwawa), Lillie Kamanu (Lilongwe) and Art Weinstein (Chiradzulu and Namitambo). (Photo Credit: Dina Weinstein)

Our close-knit Peace Corps public health cohort has held eight reunions over the past six decades, but the 60^th reunion at sea stood out as exceptional.  Typical remarks we heard were:  “Best reunion ever!” and “Let’s plan another cruise!”

Many expressed their sentiments in emails, such as:  “… Absolutely wonderful … I can’t thank you enough”;  “I’m still basking in the joy of our reconnection and how privileged I feel to have lived long enough to participate in something like that”; and “You have kept us together even though we are separated by many miles (and countries too).”

Art Weinstein’s pioneering first-ever Peace Corps baby clinic in Malawi, at Namitambo, is featured in a story with photos, posted by American University as part of The Arthur K. Weinstein Collection.

(Feature photo at top: Malawi 4 members Stephanie Grant and Tom Popp exploring Nassau, The Bahamas. (Photo credit: Arthur K. Weinstein)