RI-RPCV Newsletter 
 News for Rhode Island and SE Massachusetts Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

In this issue: International Institute Carnival Spring Ball
RI Peace Corps Volunteer's NEWS: Letters from the field

MOLLY  SHABACA (serving in
Burkina Faso,West Africa) writes the following letter in response to a box I mailed to her before Easter 1999.
8 Dec 1999
Dear Nanci,
  How is everything in RI? Have you seen any snow yet? THANK YOU 1000 times for the package!  I just got it yesterday and I am thrilled to read about the news in my home state.  The mail has had terrible results lately and I’m actually impressed the package even got here...there are many packages lost en route.  The spices were awesome and (they are) going to add wonders to my diet.  The granola bars were a blessing (I’m trainning for the Ouagadougon marathon and Power Bars were just the thing I needed). And the entire package with Easter treats added light to my week!
  I ‘m sitting on my bed eating dried mangoes.  Mangoes are pretty much out of season right now... papayas are in! But I love the dried fruits.  I arrived home from the lycee around 1pm (I end at noon but stopped in one of the dolo bars near my house to chat with a few friends). Since then I’ve eaten my daily dose of riz(???) sauce (rice with peanut sauce), taken a nap, read some of my book Animal Dreams, and just relaxed.  It’s approaching 4:00pm and I feel the need to venture out--- marche is calling and I need to pay a few visits...it’s Friday and I finally finished

  correcting the 350 tests I had last week, so I am in need of a bit of R and R. My service is up in July/August of 2000. For a good while I was thinking of staying on for a third year-- I like Dedougou. The French is easier, teaching is joyful (some of the time) and I’m really attached to my friends, families and neighbors surrounding me. But my Mom needs me a little closer to home and it wouldn’t be fair to my grandparents. So I will be back next summer! C’est la vie! I promise to write again soon. I never knew time traveled so quickly! Take care, sincerely, Molly

ERICA SMITH (serving in the Ukraine) sends this email dated 8 Feb 2000.
Currently I am living with a host family. My accommodations are quite comfortable, but between the hours of 12:00am-3:00am there is no water.  I have to get accustom to taking showers without a shower curtain while not getting the floor all wet.  My host family has a cat that attracts me constantly, and believe it or not, we have to share the bathroom with the cat.  There is no such thing as cat litter!  The cat uses newspaper in the bathroom and it reeks!
  The public bathrooms have no toilet paper.  People use paper or a piece of newspaper to wipe and then throw the paper into the basket next to the toilet.  When you look in the basket you see all kinds of paper with all types of stuff...well, that’s life in the Ukraine.  My language is coming along slowly, but good so far.  I am slowly adjusting to the culture.

 

 The other people in my group are nice, but only a few of the volunteers have a master’s degree. Almost all of them have a business background. The group is divided into business educators (who teach business courses in the universities) and business facilitators (who do business consulting in Ukrainian firms). I am a business facilitator. Except for the culture shock experiences, I am doing fine.Thank you so much for the email messages.

WENDY KESTNER (The Gambia 93-95, writing to RPCV chapters across the US.)  Like you, I was changed in many ways by my experience overseas and now I am writing a book about cultural differences. But I need help from other RPCVs.  I need information on cultural differences regarding babies and children.  For example, in The Gambia, when a baby is 14 days old he is taken out of the home for the first time, his head is shaven, and he finally is given a name. If any RPCVs have information of this type I would appreciate your sharing it with me.  If  I use the information and you send your address,  I will send a copy of the book when it is published.
email: thefattraveler@hotmail.com
 
See next page for details on the next RI-RPCV Dinner Metting

April 2000
Editor: Nanci Martin Smith (Cameroon: 64-65) - (401) 683-1518; e-mail: rirpcvnews@aol.com
RI-RPCV Newsletter

The International Institute of Rhode Island announces its 
Millennial Spring
Caarnival Ball Saturday, April 29, 2000 Rhodes-on the-Pawtuxet, Cranston
Providence, RI, March 3, 2000:  The International Institute of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that it will hold its Millennial Spring Carnival Ball on Saturday, April 29, 2000 from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at  Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet.  This year’s Ball Chair is Henri Mackor, S.V.P. at CVS, and the Honorary  Chair is Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci.  The Spring Carnival Ball is held annually to benefit the International Institute’s English language, job training, legal and social services and  interpreting/translating programs for the immigrant and refugee communities of Rhode Island.  Its unique  blend of international music, dancing, costumes and food attracts more than 700 people every year.
   This year’s entertainment will feature Saveiro, a New York based Brazilian band specializing in Samba, as well as DJ sounds from Rolling Thunder.  Additionally, there will be performances by a variety of  cultural dance groups, and the world-renown Big Nazo Characters.
   An international buffet will be featured, offering a palette-thrilling selection of ethnic cuisine and desserts from local restaurants.  Black tie is 		 optional. Costumes and ethnic dress are strongly encouraged, and prizes will be awarded to the top three costumes in the categories of "Most Creative" and "Best Ethnic Dress". There will also be a raffle for prizes generously donated by local businesses such as Southwest Airlines and The Westin Hotel. Tickets are $30 each. Advance student tickets are $15, and "Friend" tickets are $150. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or ordered in advance by contacting April Herms at (401) 784-4630. If any of you would like to volunteer to help out at the Ball, contact Pam Pomfret (RPCV) at that number. Volunteers receive free tickets for the Ball!. 
 
Next RIRPCV Meeting:
 Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10 May, 2000 at 6:30pm at the International Institute of Rhode Island. Food will be provided by Eleas Restaurant. At this ‘African Matters’ dinner meeting, Jim Alexander and Faith Fogle will share recommendations offered to the Clinton Administration regarding US policy towards Africa. These recommendations were formulated as a result of a national and several regional conferences of Africans and non-Africans interested in our governments‘ policies on Africa. 
COST: $12.00pp includes ALL 
Please RSVP to 
- Stan Premy: (401) 732-0253
email: stanpremy@ids.net 
Nanci Smith: (401) 683-1518
email: rirpcvnews@aol.com 		 RSVP by May 1,2000
Directions to IIRI... If driving south on Rt 95, Exit 17 Elmwood Ave. Right at end of exit IIRI exactly 4/10 mile down on Elmwood Ave. on left side (2nd building after Dunne Ford) 
....................... 
If driving north on Rt 95, Exit 16 for Rt 10 At exit IMMEDIATELY bear right onto Elmwood Ave Left at traffic light at ramp’s end IIRI exactly 1 mile down Elmwood on left. (2nd building after Dunner Ford) 

CONGRATULATIONS! 
RI-RPCV member Stan Premy (1968-71-Liberia), his wife Glennis and daughter Blessin welcomed Fortune Belicia, the newest member

April 2000
Editor: Nanci Martin Smith (Cameroon: 64-65) - (401) 683-1518; e-mail: rirpcvnews@aol.com