Stories and Lessons from Living in Haiti (Richard Ireland)

Peace Corps is not currently active in Haiti and it remains to be seen whether a program will be re-established.  There remains a network of 516 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Haiti and continue to share their experiences.  Richard Ireland, senior statesman of the group before me, gave a presentation at his church, now available online.  His musings on how Americans and Haitians view time, fear, and joy is well worth a listen as is learning how to say no with an open heart instead of a closed one.  You can listen by clicking here.    

About the Presentation: Rich Ireland was deeply touched by his experiences in Haiti as a Peace Corps Volunteer and has kept close ties there ever since. He will tell stories of those experiences that have inspired and humbled him. After visiting the country again in December, 2011, Rich left with more hope for Haiti, and will share some of his perspective from that visit, as well as more updated information.

About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.  Since that time, 210,000+ Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.