Good Continues
Much good continues both marked and unmarked by the names of Fallen Peace Corps Volunteers. Many families have created funds that support education, clean water, and development around the world.
Peace Corps Memorial Funds:
All donations to the Emily Balog Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in Paraguay.
Stephanie Chance Memorial Fund
All donations to this Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects around the world with a focus on gender, such as women’s empowerment and girls education.
Danielle “Dani” Dunlap Memorial Fund
Donations to this fund will be used to equip and outfit the “Mama Grace Memorial Clinic” begun by Danielle; once the clinic is complete, contributions will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in Ghana for improving rural health care and preventing HIV/AIDS and malaria, in furtherance of Dani’s extraordinary work.
A native of Irmo, South Carolina, Andrew served as an Education Volunteer in Mozambique, where he taught secondary school physics. Prior to his Peace Corps service, Andrew wrote that in order to adapt to the Mozambican culture, he planned to “simply listen, observe, and understand their way of life.” Andrew’s commitment to service began prior to his time as a Peace Corps Volunteer. He was a physics and math tutor at the Citadel in Charleston and an Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts of America Troop 312. Andrew loved music and played the trumpet, guitar, drums, bass, and piano. He was also passionate about the outdoors, cooking, gardening, travel, and learning. All donations to the Andrew Jennings Farr Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) education projects in Mozambique.
All donations to the Lena Jenison Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in Mozambique with a focus on science education.
All donations to the Porter Knight Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in Paraguay that focus on the environment.
All donations to the Alden Landis Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in Mozambique including those with an emphasis on healthcare and safety.
Robert S. Lehman Memorial Fund
A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Robbie Lehman served as a community heath volunteer in Tanzania. He prepared for his service by working with those living with HIV/AIDS in his community and learning Swahili on his own. All donations to the Robert S. Lehman Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in Tanzania.
Jeremiah Mack served as a construction volunteer in Niger, West Africa. For nearly two years, he worked with local masons building homes and clinics using woodless construction techniques, in order to minimize desertification. Jeremiah’s characteristic big smile, sense of humor, and kindness endeared him to the Nigeriens he lived and worked alongside as well as to his fellow volunteers. Funds from the Jeremiah Mack Memorial Fund will benefit Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects that contribute to community growth through construction and municipal development activities.
John D. L. Petersen Memorial Fund
John Petersen served as a small enterprise and entrepreneurship development Volunteer in Namibia in 2014. He worked at the local Community Skills Development Center, where he developed a close relationship with his Namibian counterparts. Peace Corps Namibia staff remember John as quiet and humble, always smiling, and ever polite and observant. All donations to the John D. L. Petersen Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in Namibia, to lighten the load of someone in need while keeping John close to your heart and his memory alive.
All donations to this Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects in South America with a focus on Health and Education.
The Kate Puzey Memorial Fund was established to honor the memory and service of Benin Volunteer, Kate Puzey. This fund enables members of the public, as well as former Volunteers who have been inspired by Kate’s story, to support ongoing work in her memory. Donations to this fund will be used to support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects which focus on the empowerment and education of young girls in Benin, a cause that was very close to Kate’s heart. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who received contributions from the Fund for their previous PCPP projects are also welcome to contribute to ensure Kate’s continuing legacy.
A native of Palmetto, Florida, David Ripley served as a health volunteer in Rwanda. He worked at community health centers and read books to children regularly at the Kigali Reading Center. He was passionate about using technology to deliver clean water to his community, and was making great progress. All donations to the David Ripley Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) projects which focus on health in Rwanda.
Shalin Shah’s commitment to service started long before he entered Peace Corps. Growing up in Southern California he was always looking to help people. Shalin had nearly completed his training as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru when he became very sick. He returned shortly thereafter to the United States and was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. While undergoing grueling treatment, he remained in close contact with his fellow Volunteers in Peru. From his room in the hospital, he would write to those facing challenges in their service, sharing messages of encouragement and support. Everywhere he went, he wore his Peace Corps hat, and that is how everyone in the hospital came to know him – “the Peace Corps Volunteer.” All donations to the Shalin Shah Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) drinking water and sanitation projects in Peru, honoring Shalin’s memory and commitment to improving access to clean water in Peruvian communities.
Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens Memorial Fund
The Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens Memorial Fund was established to honor the memory and service of former United States Ambassador and returned Peace Corps Volunteer, J. Christopher Stevens, who served in Morocco. Contributions to this fund support approved community-initiated and Volunteer-led projects that build bridges between young people globally.
Additional Funds:
Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Fund
Julia Campbell Memorial Foundation
Matt Costa Memorial Scholarship
Other:
50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps
Peace Corps OnlinePeace Corps Online lists Peace Corps deaths (from inception to 2003) by date, country of service, and cause of death. |
Articles: |
| NPCA Celebrates 25th Anniversary at National Conference – Highlights August 2004 |
| Families create Internet Memorial to Fallen Volunteers, Peace Corps Online, October 2003. |
| For the Peace Corps Fallen, Peace Corps Online, July 2002. |
Of Memory and Our Democracy By Colin Powell, May 2, 2004“They can teach us much about the ideas that unite us in our diversity, the values that sustain us in times of trial, and the dream that inspires generation after generation of ordinary Americans to perform extraordinary acts of service. In short, our monuments and memorials tell us a great deal about America’s commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all…Paying homage to the fallen holds a deeply personal meaning for me.” |