Iowa Reflections on the Peace Corps

“Peace Corps volunteers serving today and those of us who have returned from service give me hope that this angry world can survive.” Don Mason Colombia 1974-1978 Granger, IA 50109

“(My proudest Peace Corps accomplishment was) Helping my malaria eradication colleagues develop a better self concept about their ability to deliver medical services without foreign advisors. Data and information from global research is good, but they could provide the necessary services through their existing outlets.” Richard P. Murphy Thailand 1967 – 1969 Des Moines, IA 50310

“I felt it was a great privilege to serve in the Peace Corps and to help many Koreans of all levels improve their English language abilities.” Bud R. Anderson South Korea 1972 - 1974 Urbandale, IA 50322

“We took a cabin that was in need of restoration and made a fully functional handicapped accessible home where people with disabilities could learn to live independently, cook, do their laundry, and have equipment to learn to exercise and do physical therapy. Then we would have them come into the full life office where we created a functional computer lab where they could learn to work with computers and learn to be a part of an office staff. Full life camp has become an important tool in making people with disabilities feel that they can become independent, as well as become included as part of the world around them.” Donald Krutsinger Armenia 2014 Mason City, IA 50401

Iowa Reflections on the Peace Corps

“(My proudest Peace Corps accomplishment was) helping to open a beautiful children’s hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. It had been built and equipped, but the man who did so had expired and no one had been able to complete his dream. I did stay an extra year; because I felt the staff we were training would not be able to function alone at that point, and that it might be the demise of the hospital. I felt pretty confident of the ability of the trained staff at the point I did leave. At that point we had about 80 inpatients, were seeing 200 patients daily in the clinics, and doing 10-15 surgeries daily.” Karla K. Smith Brazil 1964 – 1967 Council Bluffs, IA 51503

“(My favorite Peace Corps memory was) Sharing the reality of a common humanity with many Peruvians, especially those in very remote areas.” Dennis D. Magnuson Peru 1963-1965 Decorah, IA 52101

“Our Peace Corps Community has helped light a path that circles the globe, serving in a myriad of fields. All the countries around the world that have hosted Peace Corps volunteers should be recognized for the role they played, shaping a brighter future for the U.S.” Connie M. Mays Federated States of Micronesia 1971-1973 Harpers Ferry, IA 52146