The Photo was taken August 1, 2008 during the coronation of George Tupou V as King of Tonga, looking from Centennial church (where the coronation was held) towards the Royal Palace.
The road is lined with Tapa cloth and girls from Queen Salote...
This photo was taken the afternoon of Eid El Kbir in my host family's home in Amizmiz, Morocco. Every year, on the morning of the Eid, each Muslim home slaughters a sheep in honor of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son to God, but instead...
This is a picture of the swearing-in ceremony. On the left of the picture is my host mom, Clara and on the right of the photo is my Institutional Point Person, John. They were there for me at swearing-in and they have continued to support me...
Each year since my Peace Corps service we assist through Educare-Africa many students with basic school supplies which we give to the best three in every class in 2-3 schools. This photograph was taken in 2008 during the prize giving ceremony at...
Our group just after swearing in, April 2009. From left to right: speaker, Sharmon Jules (Associate Peace Corps Director), Margo Jeanchild (Eastern Caribbean Director), Mara English (Volunteer), Aria Grabowski (Volunteer), trainer, Ann Maize...
This photo was taken at St Joseph’s College in Alafua, Samoa in 2004. The Samoans take great pride in the fact that they have maintained a rich cultural heritage in the face of many adversities. These students at St Joseph’s College are...
My host dad and I gettin' down with our bad selves during Swearing In, November 2009. Dancing is something that we both love to do, so it was part of our daily routine. We danced the night away every evening in the kitchen while my host mom...
Celebrations; Ceremonies; Weddings; Host community friends
I was honored when my friend Lyuba asked me to be the maid of honor at her wedding in October, 1994. This photo shows the newlyweds in the center with the best man on the left and me on the right.
Dan & Donna sitting with the host family mother and father (Sina & Faiva) at the party the night we were sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers for Tuvalu. The white around the necks is baby powder; it is a custom in Tuvalu to show appreciation during...
This photo was taken during the swearing-in ceremony of the third and largest group of Volunteers to begin service in Haiti in 1984. Loret Miller Ruppe, the then-Director of the Peace Corps, came to Haiti to officiate. This photo shows eight of the...
Celebrations; Ceremonies; Weddings; Host community friends
Between my friend Lyuba's wedding ceremony and the wedding reception we drove a few miles out into the steppe surrounding the city of Karaganda and tied a red ribbon to a pole. The red ribbon symbolizes anger and unpleasantness, which the newlyweds...
Scott and Myra Erickson preparing to depart Tuvalu following the completion of two and a half years of service on Nukulaelae atoll, November 1982. Our departure followed the first visit of her majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to Tuvalu.
After three grueliing months of training we finally arrived at the graduation ceramony in Slovakia. Nelson Chase, Country Director, was at the podium congratulating us for accomplishing our first step. As I remember, no one had left our class at...