Page 6 - MidWeek - March 22, 2023

6 MIDWEEK MARCH 22, 2023
In March 1961, President John Kennedy estab- lished the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship. It was billed as “the toughest job you’ ll ever love.” I was a 62-year- old Peace Corps volunteer in Luhansk, Ukraine, from 2010 to 2012, working with a nonprofit organization ad- vocating for change for peo- ple with disabilities. In 2010, Ukraine’s disabled citizens had little or no access to work or to school, so I worked closely with organizations, civil societies and schools, educating leaders on how America provides equal ac- cess to education, health care
Stands with Ukraine and Citizen Foresters. Members willingly share their unique cross-cultural experiences at college recruitment fairs and Rotary meetings, talking about their work in environ- ment, health care, business development, youth devel- opment and education.
CVHI raises funds for these two programs with an annual Oktoberfest fundraiser and annual NPCA calendar sales.
The Toughest Job That An Individual Will Ever Love
By Caroline Mackenzie, president, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawai‘i
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Hawai‘i on O‘ahu gather to share their stories during a pau hana celebration.
RPCVHI supports cur- rently serving PCVs from Hawai‘i with two pro- grams: Aloha Grants and Alo- ha Care Packages. RPCVHI offers financial grants (up to $1,000) and care packages of art supplies, books and sports equipment; items often diffi- cult to find or not available in countries of service. RP-
Post-pandemic, the Peace Corps is back with volunteers in 45 countries. Peace Corps has no upper age limit, has virtual assignments, and as- signments that are less than two years. If you are inter- ested in joining the Peace Corps, RPCVHI members are ready to talk to you about finding that “toughest job you’ ll ever love.” Send an email to rpcvhi.treasurer@ gmail.com or visit our rpcvhi. org/cpages/home, or visit the Peace Corps website at peacecorps.gov.
PHOTO COURTESY RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS OF HAWAI‘I
and work opportunities. After my service, I moved to Hawai‘i and joined the Returned Peace Corps Vol- unteers of Hawai‘i, an orga- nization for returned PCVs living in Hawai‘i. RPCVHI,
an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association, is a nonprofit dedicated to con- tinuing the spirit of Peace Corps and to promoting vol- unteer service.
Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and Ha- wai‘i Island promote volun- teerism by involvement with local organizations, such as Rotary Clubs, state Depart- ment of Land and Natural Resources on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
RPCVHI’s members on
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