Highlights in this issue:
1. Update on FOP Efforts to Assist Victims of Ycua Bolanos Fire
2. Edgardo Rothkegel's Retirement
3. San Antonio RPCVs Catalyze Response to Paraguay Disaster
4. Writing Scholarships for RPCV Writers
5. Berta Rojas and Juan Cancio Barreto in concert - May 28th, NYC and
May 29th, Rockville, MD
6. "Equipo Terere" - FOP Members Running Marine Corps Marathon
7. July Speakers Series to feature PC-Paraguay Country Director James Geenan
8. Notice to Guarambare-10 Group
9. Reunion in the Pacific Northwest
10. Lisa Bogado in concert at Nepytyvo picnic - May 15th, Rockville, MD
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1. Update on FOP Efforts to Assist Fire Victims
FOP raised more than $12,000 to support the victims of the devastating
fire that occurred at the Ycua Bolanos grocery store last August in
Asuncion. We sent out electronic appeals for support and posted a
donation link on our web site and the response was impressive. The
money raised by FOP and its members supported, and continues to support, the purchase of medical supplies, provisions for emergency attention, counseling support and other activities by local Paraguayan NGOs and organizations. FOP also assisted in raising funds for the Clyde E. Bay Foundation for an operating room and equipment for the rural medical clinic located in Achay, Paraguay to aid in their service to the victims of the fire. For more information about the Clyde E. Bay Foundation, visit their
website http://www.clydeebayfoundation.com.
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2. Edgardo Rothkegel's Retirement
Edgardo Rothkegel retired in December, 2004 after serving 24 years as
CHP International's Training Director for the Peace Corps/Paraguay
training center. As part of recognition of his service, CHP put
together an album of memories created by those whose lives he has
touched - RPCVs, former and current CHP staff, and former and current
Peace Corps staff. The album was presented to him at a retirement
celebration in Asuncion. Of the 100 attendees, most were Peace Corps
Paraguay and CHP Paraguay staff (and a few former staff), along with
members of Vicky and Edgardo's Asuncion-based family. The event
consisted of a short ceremony, dinner, and dancing.
Edgardo received five plaques of recognition. The first was from CHP
International. Two were from Peace Corps Washington: one signed by
Gaddi Vasquez, the agency Director, and the other from the InterAmerica
and Pacific Region signed by the the Regional Director, Allene Zanger.
The fourth was from Peace Corps Paraguay, followed by one from Friends
of Paraguay. The staff of CHP Paraguay presented Edgardo with a
beautiful stylized relief of parents with children carved from a large
piece of Palo Santo. Finally, CHP's Associate Director, Jim Kelly,
presented to Edgardo the album containing the photographs and letters
sent to him by well-wishers.
CHP's President, Howard Raik, and Peace Corps Paraguay Country
Director, Jim Geenan, both expressed their appreciation to Edgardo for his many contributions to both institutions, and to the people of Paraguay.
Representing their colleagues on the staffs, PC/PY Project Manager
Ruben Rolon and CHP Communication Training Coordinator Josefina Idoyaga
delivered very heartfelt and emotional remarks to Edgardo. The
ceremony concluded with Edgardo speaking to those assembled. He talked about
how years ago he was adrift for a time after leaving his religious
vocation, and found vocation anew in service to the preparation of Peace Corps
Volunteers. As always he also spoke about his vision of service and
His compassion and love for Paraguayans and their country. There were few,
if any, dry eyes at this point.
Following a buffet dinner, a very talented DJ got the crowd on their
feet and dancing until 2 AM. There were post-event comments from many
people that it was the best party of this nature they had attended in a
long time. For those who wish to communicate with Edgardo, his
personal email address is: edgardorothkegel@yahoo.com
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3. San Antonio RPCVs Catalyze Response to Paraguay Disaster
In response to the need for assistance after the fire tragedy, Kathleen
Stellema (Paraguay 92-94) met with fellow San Antonio RPCVs to see how
they could help. The San Antonio group swung into action and the
resulting collaboration in the U.S. and Paraguay provided direct relief
to the fire victims. They were in touch with Medical Bridges, an
organization based in Houston, Texas that receives donated medical
supplies and medicines from local doctors and hospitals and distributes
them all around the world with partner organizations. In the following
months RPCVs of San Antonio raised close to $4,000 to pay for shipping
a
40-foot container of medical supplies to the burn victims in Paraguay.
The group did this through various activities including a potluck party
that featured a performance by Paraguayan singer Reinaldo Gomez of the
group Los Paranas, a garage sale and direct donations.
Peace Corps/Paraguay Medical Officer Raul Avila helped the San Antonio
RPCVs identify an organization in Paraguay — “El Dia es Hoy”
Canal13/Radio — to receive the medical supplies and help distribute
Them to the victims and affected families. P “Without the collaboration of
all the above-mentioned individuals and organizations, this project
would never have succeeded,” concludes Andrea Diarte, president of
RPCVs of San Antonio. For more info go to http://www.rpcv.org.
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4. Writing Scholarships for RPCV Writers
With the cooperation, help, and support of PeaceCorpsWriters, Goucher
College in Baltimore, Maryland is offering a special writing
Scholarship for RPCV Writers this summer in their Nonfiction Summer Writers'
Conference. Here are the details. Applications are now being accepted
for the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer scholarship for Goucher
College's tenth annual Mid-Atlantic Creative Nonfiction Summer Writers'
Conference August 9-14 on the Goucher campus north of Baltimore. Two
Scholarships for full tuition ($725) are available. Conference information can be found at http://www.goucher.edu/cnf. To apply, send a 5-page
Nonfiction manuscript (double spaced) with your name, address, phone number and email address to:
Welch Center
Goucher College
1021 Dulaney Valley Road
Baltimore, MD 21204
Or fax 410-337-6085
Or via email to center@goucher.edu. Subject line should read Peace Corps
Scholarship Submission. Deadline is June 1, 2005.
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5. Berta Rojas and Juan Cancio Barreto in concert
In the month of May, two concerts will be presented by the duet of
Berta Rojas (Guitarist extraordinaire “Washington Post”) and Juan Cancio
Barreto (popular idol among his countrymen). These presentations are
under the auspices of the Office of the First Lady of Paraguay and the
Paraguayan Network for Human Development. On May 28th, at 8:00 p.m.
they will be at the Allen Room del Frederick P. Rose Hall, sede de Jazz
at Lincoln Center, (Broadway at 60th St, New York, NY).
On May 29th at the Scott Fitzgerald Theater, Rockville Civic Center
(640 Edmonston Dr. Rockville MD)
This unique duet emerged solely with the intention to join two very
different styles, one using the “requinto” and the other, the classical
guitar, both used in Paraguayan music, but until now, never before
united in concert.
These outstanding performers are two of the best Paraguay has to offer.
The classical guitar in the able hands of Berta Rojas and Juan Cancio
Barreto’s requinto capturing the enchantment found in the Paraguayan
folk music. The program includes an extensive and colorful range of
Paraguayan music, from the colonial era to the present time. As an
example, from the great Paraguayan composer Agustin Barrios: Two
Waltzes Op. 8 Nro 3 y 4, Ca’azapa, Jha Che Valle, London Carape and Danza
Paraguaya; by Enrique Coeffier: Punteada Okara; by Juan Cancio Barreto:
A Waltz for Teresa and Fuerte Olimpo; by Luis Alvarez: Maripositas; by
Ismael Ledesma:Balada del Indio; by Carlos Ramírez: Vy’a y Jave; and by
Herminio Jiménez: Che Trompo Arasa. Visit www.bertarojas.com
For details regarding the May 29th concert visit
http://www.friendsofparaguay.org. Tickets available from Rosita Becker
202-387-0654, or Nury Serafini 301-622-7728.
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6. "Equipo Terere" - FOP Members Running Marine Corps Marathon
Friends of Paraguay has learned that a number of FOP members are
registered to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, October
30, 2005. (FOP member such as Jeanne Bell-McMorrow, Mary
McMorrow-Adams, Miguel Rassier, John Cloutier, Mark Hathaway, Pablo
Davis and daughter Kelley.) Who else is registered that we don't know
about? FOP would like to show enthusiastic support to this team of
Paraguay RPCV's (unofficially deemed "Equipo Terere"). We want to know
if you are registered to run the marathon. We hope to plan an FOP
event that weekend. If you plan on attending to support a marathoner, let us
know. We'll keep you posted.
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7. July Speakers Series to feature PC-Paraguay Country Director Jim Geenan
On July 18th, PC-Paraguay Country Director James Geenan will be hosted
by FOP for an early evening reception. James will provide an overview
of PC-Paraguay's programs and will give an update on major political,
economic and other issues taking place in Paraguay. Stay tuned for more
details. We will distribute information via e-mail in June and post it
on the FOP website.
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8. Notice to Guarambare-10 Group
Calling all RPCVs from the 1988 Guarambare-10 group. Interested in
having a reunion? Contact Phillip Lee (plee@pronet.hu) to get plans rolling!
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9. Reunion in the Pacific Northwest
Are you currently living in the Pacific Northwest? Are you interested
in a reunion with fellow RPCV's from Paraguay? David A. Maxwell, a
volunteer from the early 70's, is interested in organizing such a
reunion. Contact Dave at dmaxwell@geonerco.com.
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10. Lisa Bogado in concert at Nepytyvo picnic - May 15th
Fundacion Nepytyvo, local non-profit organization that supports
development projects in Paraguayan communities in the areas of health,
education and the environment (http://www.geocities.com/nepytyvo/),
will host an asado/picnic featuring Lisa Bogado in concert, May 15th at
11:00 AM, Parklawn Park, 12724 Viers Mill Rd. Rockville, MD. (Entrada
economica.)
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Friends of Paraguay
Give us your updated information
Visit us on the web
http://www.friendsofparaguay.org