E-Newsletter

E-Newsletter
March 25, 2005

Dear Friend:

Minnesota colleges and universities are among the top producers of Peace Corps volunteers, and they are making significant and lasting contributions around the world. This week during my travel to Central America with Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), chairman of the House International Relations Committee, I met Minnesota Peace Corps volunteers working in Panama. Peter and Allison Musser are volunteers from Mankato. Bridget Olson is a volunteer from Eagan and Jason Cochran is the
Associate Peace Corps Director for the Agriculture program. Jason is a St. Thomas alumnus who hails from Cambridge. (From left to right: Jason Cochran; Allison Musser; Bridget Olson; Jean Lujan, Peace Corps Director in Panama; and Peter Musser.) These volunteers are part of a strong tradition of service.

Working side-by-side with members of the indigenous community of Ipetí Emberá, the group is developing a sustainable tourism project. Together with a Peace Corps and USAID Small Projects grant, the community built a small artisan store. During our visit, community members shared their customs and demonstrated local dances.

To read more about the Congressional Delegation visiting Mexico and Panama, please visit my website where you will find a fact sheet on Peace Corps in Panama and see photos from the village. For more information on how you can volunteer, please visit the Peace Corps website at http://www.peacecorps.gov/.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Serving Minnesota's Fourth District

http://www.mccollum.house.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B6CD95013-7C42-4AD8-A464-EB8D8679E9C9%7D/uploads/%7B8FF6728B-2CF7-472B-808D-AC400091F204%7D.PDF