News
Celebrate Black History Month by Supporting an RPCV Black-Owned Business — and the Peace Corps Community
Ethically-sourced, organic, and natural handcrafted skincare products — and a way to support the Peace Corps community. Shop at Shea Yeleen through February 27 and NPCA will receive 20 percent of the online sales. By NPCA Staff This year, celebrate Black History Month by supporting the RPCV Black-owned business SHEA YELEEN. Treat yourself, loved ones, family and friends to some organic, handcrafted shea butter beauty products — from an RPCV entrepreneur whose Peace Corps service inspired a successful skincare business. Stock up on shea butter products through February 27 and help support the Peace Corps community. Founded and consciously designed by RPCV Rahama Wright (Mali 2002–04), Shea Yeleen is a social impact company that creates...
A Conversation with RPCV and Shea Yeleen Founder Rahama Wright
From Peace Corps Volunteer to first-time entrepreneur to creator of a makerspace facility for beauty businesses: a conversation with RPCV and Shea Yeleen Founder Rahama Wright. By Tiffany James Rahama Wright founded Shea Yeleen, a social impact company that creates living wage jobs for women-owned shea butter cooperatives in Ghana, in 2012. She served as a Volunteer in Mali 2002–04. Serving in the Peace Corps had always been part of her plan thanks to her father who met her mother while serving with the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso in the 70s. Before going to Mali, Wright did a 10-week internship at the U.S. Embassy in...
Peace Corps Achievements — January and February 2023
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. By Peter V. Deekle (Iran 1968–70) Martin Puryear (pictured, Sierra Leone 1964–66) internationally renowned American sculptor, has been commissioned to create a site-specific, permanent sculpture for the Storm King Art Center in upstate New York, which is scheduled to be unveiled later this year. Reed Hastings (Swaziland 1983–85) announced in January that he will step down from his role as CEO of Netflix, while remaining as chairman, after leading the company for 25 years. Christopher Dodd (Dominican Republic 1966–68), was appointed as Special Presidential Advisor for the Americas by President Biden in November...
Reflections on 2022 and the year ahead
Reflections on 2022 and the year ahead By John Lee Evans, Board of Directors Chair (RPCV Honduras 1975–1978) In the past year, the advocacy team scored two important wins: confirmation of Carol Spahn as Peace Corps Director and the first increase in funding of the Peace Corps in several years. The bipartisan Peace Corps Reauthorization Bill was, unfortunately, stopped at the last minute by Senator Rand Paul, but we will continue to work on this in 2023. WorldView magazine continues to gain awards. Affiliate groups have been strengthened with the support of staff and our new Affiliate Group Representative to the Board of Directors. Staff...
My Hanukkah Miracle in Costa Rica
An RPCV shares how his Jewish heritage and the traditions of Hanukkah helped nurture camaraderie and memorable bonds between him and the community he served as a Volunteer in Costa Rica. By Joel Rubin (Costa Rica 1994–96) We’re now in the holiday season, including the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. This holiday has always been special to me because it spiritually connects the Jews of today to the Jews of 2,200 years ago, when we fought to maintain our identity and community. When I joined the Peace Corps, I knew that I’d be going to a distant country to live in a community where I...
An RPCV’s Holiday Reflections
An RPCV reflects on the holidays she spent overseas and how those shared moments nurtured a sense of belonging with her, her host families, and fellow Peace Corps friends. By Molly O'Brien (Jordan 2014–15, Thailand 2016–18) The holiday season always reminds me of my Peace Corps service. Within a month of arriving in my first country of service, Jordan, we were celebrating Thanksgiving. It was my first time away from my family for a major holiday. Although I felt a little homesick, the experience nurtured a sense of belonging with my new Peace Corps family. Then, next thing I knew I was a...
It’s High Stakes Time in Congress for the Peace Corps
Everyone get ready! It's high stakes time in Congress for the Peace Corps, as we're on the cusp of achieving the Peace Corps community's three major advocacy goals. With only days before this session of Congress ends and a new House majority takes over in January, we have the chance to achieve dramatic wins for the Peace Corps that haven't been achieved in decades. - First, the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act is being considered by the Senate after having already passed the House. If this bill becomes law, it will be the first full reauthorization of the agency since 1999, ushering in significant reforms to how the...
Peace Corps Achievements — December 2022
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. By Peter V. Deekle (Iran 1968–70) Megan Ranney (pictured, Côte d'Ivoire 1998–2000), deputy dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health and professor of emergency medicine, became one of 100 newly elected members invited to join the National Academy of Medicine — one of the highest honors in health and medicine. Dr. Evelyn Newman-Phillips, Ph.D (The Gambia 1980–83) was awarded Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU) Distinguished Service Award for the exemplary commitment, vision, and selflessness she has demonstrated to her colleagues, students, and members of the wider social community...
UPDATE: Here Are More than 40 Countries Where Peace Corps Volunteers Have Returned to Service. And More Where They Have Been Invited to Return.
Hundreds of Volunteers are now serving alongside communities across the globe. And later this month, the first group of Volunteers ever is expected to arrive in Viet Nam. By Dan Baker Image courtesy Peace Corps Peace Corps Volunteers are returning to serve alongside communities throughout the world. Hundreds of Volunteers have returned to more than 40 countries around the globe, with more returning in the weeks ahead. In the past couple weeks alone, in South America, Volunteers have returned to serve alongside communities in Guyana. They have arrived in South Africa. And they have returned to Mongolia. These Volunteers’ work with local...
Explore Videos from the 2022 NPCA Annual General Membership Meeting: Peace Corps Reengaging with a Changed World
On September 24, National Peace Corps Association hosted its Annual General Membership Meeting online. Here are videos and resources from the event. By NPCA Staff On September 24, NPCA was honored to host more than 300 members of the Peace Corps community for the 2022 Annual General Membership Meeting (AGMM). It was an opportunity to celebrate, share updates from staff and our new board chair, John Lee Evans, and, in breakout rooms, discuss and reflect. And it was an opportunity to bring together so many individuals who care deeply about NPCA’s mission of encouraging and celebrating a lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals. During our virtual meeting, we showcased key initiatives that...