tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11194865293284329892024-03-04T23:17:59.201-05:00Malawi: Global Awareness in ActionPST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-40831298085108656632009-07-26T22:02:00.003-04:002009-07-26T22:26:32.732-04:00The group is at Yale<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We've received word from the leaders that the group has arrived in New Haven, CT. All of the Global Action Public Health groups have settled into the dorms at Yale University; students are resting up in preparation for a busy day of work on their presentations tomorrow.</span></span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-2697608604136168962009-07-25T12:57:00.003-04:002009-07-25T13:04:16.104-04:00Lilongwe to Nairobi to New Haven<div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hello all,<br /><br />We are writing you from the Nairobi airport where we have a 6 hour layover en route to JFK. Our last few days in Malawi were fantastic. The group said farewell to our village hosts early Tuesday morning and boarded the bus for an all day journey to Malawi's Northern Region. Along the way we made a few stops. First, we visited Chifundo Artisans Network in Balaka. The group supports several artists doing traditional starch-resist surface design textiles. A former Peace Corps volunteer and friend of Mike's has assisted the artisans network over last eight years. They are producing beautiful products, are providing stable employment for local people, and are preserving traditional techniques. The students enjoyed stretching their legs and buying gifts for people back home!<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Our next stop was Lilongwe where we stopped for lunch at the delectable Mama Mia's, a nice Italian restaurant in the city. After eleven days of village food the students were ready for something familiar and delicious. After lunch we set off for Luwawa Forest Lodge where we would spend the next three nights.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The lodge is located 14km off the tarmac into the Luwawa Forest Reserve in the Viphya Mountains. It has lush gardens and overlooks the Luwawa dam, a reservoir and water source for local villages. We were surrounded by a combination of pine forest, introduced by the British and still supporting a fairly large timber industry in the north, and indigenous forest. After eleven days of bucket baths, drawing water each morning, and sleeping on reed mats, the students were absolutely thrilled with their accommodations! Chalets with hot showers, beds with mattresses, and a patio overlooking the water.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The students spent their mornings sitting by the fire in the lodge (it's winter here) working on their presentation for Yale. The afternoons were reserved for some fun and free time. People enjoyed kayaking on the lake, mountain biking, hiking to waterfalls, lounging in the sauna, and just relaxing and chatting in the gardens. The presentation is pretty far along but will require some tinkering once they get to Yale. Everyone feels relaxed, rejuvenated and a little bittersweet about leaving Malawi.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We spent our last day in Malawi in the capital city, Lilongwe, and slept at Korea Garden Lodge. Half of the group returned to the textile market with Mike to get more Chitenje to bring home. This was the same market we took the group to on their first day in country. The students felt much more confident with their Chichewa greetings and bargaining skills this time around! The other half of the group came into town with me for ice cream and a few other errands we needed to do before leaving. We joined up at the end of the day for dinner together and our last team meeting in Malawi.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Everything at the airport has gone smoothly so far. All are in good spirits and good health. We have run into the Rwanda group here at the airport and will be traveling with them from here on out to JFK. The students are having a blast sharing stories about their adventures.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Looking forward to seeing you all soon!<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Until Yale,</span></div> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Marissa and Mike</span></span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-50300445074803428402009-07-20T08:57:00.002-04:002009-07-20T08:59:27.679-04:00Zomba Plateau<span style="font-family:verdana;">All is well in Malawi. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yesterday we hiked Zomba Plateau and ate American-style food (hamburgers and pizzas) in Zomba, the former colonial capital of Malawi. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Everyone is looking forward to today's village farewell and tomorrow's journey to Luwawa Resort in Mzimba. The independent projects in the village have been a real bright spot. We cannot wait to tell you all about our students, and their hard work, at Yale!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">-Mike and Marissa</span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-6110909510042807162009-07-19T17:40:00.003-04:002009-07-19T17:45:24.213-04:00Update from Domasi village<span style="font-family:verdana;">Domasi Village-Suni Village</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Written by students Richard Barakat and Raechel Rosen</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We arrived at Domasi Village on Thursday, July 9th after a four hour drive from Lilongwe. When we pulled up to our village house, it was dark outside and chickens were walking around. We walked into our candle-lit house and found out that our headlamps were our best friends. The house consisted of several couches, a boy’s room, a girl’s room, and mosquito nets draping each. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Every night we eat an authentic Malawian meal, lit with candles in a rustic setting. On the first day, we were welcomed by the Village Headman and introduced to our “families”. After our scavenger hunt that Mike and Marissa prepared, the local children performed traditional dances for us. When they were done, we all joined in.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The next day we went to a boat safari in the Liwonde National Park. We then took a boat to a progressive school funded bythe HELP Malawi organization.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The following day, we went to local churches, and ate lunch with our families. Then, some group members hiked to the top of Zomba Mountain. On the 13th we were grouped into five different mini-internships or attachments. The organizations included St. Luke’s Hospital, PCI (Project Concern International), and community-based charity organizations (Macobo, Yoneco, and Village to Village) . Some students were unhappy with their attachments due to the slow way Malawians operate. However, everyone learned to deal with it the best way they could. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the week went on, everyone got started on their independent projects. The projects concerned HIV/AIDS, environment and other African issues. They range from artistic awareness, to hands-on solutions for medical problems, to setting up a plant nursery. We will be using these projects for a HIV fundraiser on Monday.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Our eleven day stay in a rural Malawian village has affected all of our lives and we will remember it forever.</span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-18207120295739179612009-07-19T17:29:00.007-04:002009-07-19T17:38:58.801-04:00Liwonde National Park and student projects<span style="font-family:verdana;">Last week the students started their attachments (mini-internships). We have sent them out to various community based organizations, hospitals, and youth organizations in and outside of our village. Some are getting a more clinical perspective on the issues of HIV/AIDS and healthcare while others are going deep into the bush to villages where the CBOs have programs serving HIV positive people, the elderly and disabled, and vulnerable children. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Last weekend we took the students on a boat safari along the Shire River in Liwonde National Park. We were fortunate to see five heards of elephants, plenty of hippos, crocodiles, water buck, lots of brids and other wildlife. After the safari we crossed the river to visit a model school in the village that is being run in partnership by the Malawian Governmentt, Wilderness Safaris, and HELP Malawi (a US-based non-governmental organization). A couple who work with the school as Peace Corps volunteer gave us our tour. The students found it really interesting that they are incorporating permaculture, fish farming, water harvesting, and vocational training into the traditional curriculum. They are also supplementing the government's meager teacher salary with external donations in order to attract well-trained teachers. Eventually, the school plans to be self-sustaining with sales from the permacutlure gardens, fish farm, and handicrafts.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We ended the day with a heated discussion at dinner about Malawian culure and how best to approach development. The conversation started with the question, "What have you observed in Malawian culture that you have a negative reaction to?" Many of the students are very passionate about gender and envrionmental issues and all of them came on this trip with the goal to "help" Malawi. They are quickly learning how complex the issue of poverty is and that HIV/AIDS does not stand alone as its own issue. It is encouraging to see the students being challenged intellectually and emotionally as they are exposed to life in Malawi.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Until soon,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Marissa and Mike</span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-48971944107207836732009-07-14T11:12:00.003-04:002009-07-14T11:13:19.897-04:00Yale Information<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello family and friends,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yale is only two weeks away! This will be the final communication from us before the end of the program, and we hope that it will provide you with plenty of information as you prepare for your time at Yale University.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Presentations and Picnic</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The final presentations will be held on Tuesday, July 28th at Sudler Recital Hall at William Harkness Hall, 100 Wall St, New Haven. Global Action students will attend all of the presentations. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early so that we can keep to our tight schedule; your child will meet you there. The presentations are each approximately one hour long and will take place the following times:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">10:30 AM: Welcome</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">11 AM: South Africa</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 PM: Rwanda</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">4 PM: Malawi</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Presentations will be followed by a picnic for families and the entire Global Action community at Timothy Dwight College.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> We hope you will join us!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >How to RSVP</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">If you plan to attend the presentations and picnic at Yale, please RSVP by email to putney.gaia2009@gmail.com by Friday, July 17. Please note your name, your son/daughter’s group name, and how many there will be in your party (do not include your son/daughter in that number).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Communication with Putney</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">All communication with Putney from July 26 to July 29 should be directed to our Yale office:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Office Line: (203) 436-1577</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Cell Phone: (561) 504-6325</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Email: putney.gaia2009@gmail.com</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Travel to/from Yale</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Each Global Action group has chartered private buses from the airport to Yale University on July 26. While at Yale, students and leaders will be housed at Timothy Dwight College, 345 Temple St. (at Grove St.), Yale University, New Haven, CT.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We hope that families can arrive to Yale in the morning of July 28 and stay in New Haven that night. There will be group presentations and a final picnic on July 28, though the programs do not end until the morning of July 29. Students should be picked up from Timothy Dwight College on July 29 between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. (Putney will provide transportation to the local airport and train station for students that are returning home on their own.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In the information we have sent to your digital locker, you will find directions to Timothy Dwight College, a list of area hotels, and a customized map including parking information that you should bring to Yale with you. Yale has also provided us with a user-friendly online map at http://business.yale.edu/map.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We look forward to meeting you on the 28th! </span></span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-26352460600160091062009-07-10T11:55:00.001-04:002009-07-10T11:57:25.511-04:00From Lilongwe to Domasi<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello all!<br /><br />Below is an update written by our students.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Greetings from Malawi!! We just arrived in Domasi last night. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Our stay with the Bowers in Lilongwe went well. Although we were eager to get to work, our first week was comprised of various visits and meetings with different people and groups in order to understand fully the issues at hand. From a lesson in permaculture, touring through hospitals and clinics, meeting with the National AIDS Commission (NAC), and shopping in the local markets, we got the full taste of Lilongwe. <br /><br />We spent the 4th at the Ambassador's home. We were lucky to have nightly dinner guests, including teachers, Peace Corps members, artists, journalists, and a USAID representative. We shopped for jewelry, <span style="font-style: italic;">chitenje</span> (fabric wraps worn by women), and souvenirs. We saw a degree of poverty that we are not exposed to in the States. However, the people were friendly & welcoming.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> We are excited for our stay in Domasi. Everyone is well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Putney Group in Malawi</span></span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-91232116541949057832009-07-07T13:51:00.004-04:002009-07-07T14:04:24.962-04:00Our time in Lilongwe<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello family and friends!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The group is in Lilongwe and doing quite well. We feel really fortunate to be traveling through Malawi with these fantastic students. It really is a remarkable group-- they are adventurous, inquisitive and are taking care of each other really well.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Earlier this week we visited Mua Mission which houses the Kungoni Cultural Arts Center, the leading museum of Malawian culture in the country. The students were fascinated to hear about tribal ceremonial practices that mark rights of passage from birth to death.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today, we began the day with a walk through Chilinde neighborhood to the cemetary and a visit to an area elementary school. Later, we visited Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative,Lighthouse AIDS Clinic, and Bottom Hospital where there is a program run by UNC for the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In the evenings we have gotten into a habit of inviting dinner guests to our house, which has proved to be really rewarding. Already we have had some incredible conversations that have run late into the night-- guests have included people ranging from Malawian artists telling of the impact of HIV/AIDS on Malawian art and culture and personal accounts of the disease's effects on their families, to tales of village life from Peace Corps volunteers, to explanation of the foreign aid structure in Malawi from a USAID director. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">On Thursday morning we will head south to Domasi for our stay in the village. The students are eager to experience village life and to work on their independent projects!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">That's all for now!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">-Marissa and Mike</span></span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-16460764462941091872009-07-03T10:04:00.002-04:002009-07-03T10:04:58.504-04:00The group has arrived<span style="font-family:verdana;">We've received word from the leaders that the group has arrived (at long last!) in Lilongwe.</span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-33146707616935837942009-07-02T13:37:00.002-04:002009-07-02T13:40:29.793-04:00An update from Accra<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Life is full of surprises, especially for intrepid international travelers. Overcoming an inauspicious start (delayed for a day in NYC) with ease and maturity, the group (13 kids bound for Malawi and 4 en route to Rwanda) rallied by playing get-to-know-you games and enjoying a glutenous pizza party at a Best Western in Queens, graciously enduring a grueling 11-hour flight over the Atlantic to Accra, Ghana (where they deftly navigated their first of many African-airport customs experiences), sampling West African dishes at a local restaurant at the Accra Airport, and through it all, managing to stay connected to Putney and parents with their voices and lightening quick thumbs. In a few hours, our journey will continue as we lift off to Nairobi, Kenya, to make our respective connecting flights to Malawi and Rwanda. Wish us luck.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> As a Malawi group co-leader, I'm impressed with all of the kids. Despite the litany of travel surprises, they are brimming with positivity and adaptability, willing to allow inconveniences to roll off their backs, and eager to try to new things and expand their horizons (several ate goat and fried plantains today). I don't think that the delay has hurt them in the least; indeed, it has probably brought them closer together, creating a symbiotic chemistry that will serve them well in Malawi. When they're not singing songs in the airport (thanks to Rae for bringing the guitar) or asking me a question about language or culture, they're engaging each other in intricate discussions about topics of mutual interest, like politics, religion and (of course) popular music. I just like listening and learning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> And I'll continue to listen, learn and report back to you with timely news. Until the next time, take care and stay well. We'll be taken care of as we venture through the indescribably intoxicating Continent of Africa, where visitors are always welcome. As usual, it is laid back and chill - no rush, no fuss, no worries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Mike</span></span>PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-6679701818434495022009-06-16T16:51:00.000-04:002009-06-16T16:53:59.900-04:00Meet the trip leaders<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9BiR1FMAsBBaHYKgoLJeKmqmv1QKvHxeekJNOUDgoBrU2O23nOktrtor5e0xbXEMEvaUWbky2IVfJg9-GL1Ad3ne7F3r3ksuTWmOOtMk72ulIL1JyuBhaztiWgVfoF3E74SJvKRW7Ezx/s1600-h/GAMAL_MarissaPerrySaints_MichaelBuckler+%28Medium%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9BiR1FMAsBBaHYKgoLJeKmqmv1QKvHxeekJNOUDgoBrU2O23nOktrtor5e0xbXEMEvaUWbky2IVfJg9-GL1Ad3ne7F3r3ksuTWmOOtMk72ulIL1JyuBhaztiWgVfoF3E74SJvKRW7Ezx/s400/GAMAL_MarissaPerrySaints_MichaelBuckler+%28Medium%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348031112268702274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2009 Malawi Leaders: Michael Buckler and Marissa Perry Saints</span></span>
<br /></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="font-family: verdana;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLMCKEE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: verdana;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: verdana;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: verdana;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: verdana;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: verdana;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-family: verdana;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >MARISSA PERRY SAINTS:</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Arizona</st1:placename></st1:place>, B.A., International Studies and Economic Development.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Marissa lived and worked at in <st1:country-region st="on">Malawi</st1:country-region> for one year in 2006 conducting art workshops at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Ekwendeni</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Youth</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">AIDS</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">While there, she coached a high school girls soccer team through the Malawi Northern Region Women’s soccer league, built libraries with primary and secondary schools, and started a school mural project with a local government school. Marissa completed her undergraduate thesis on micro-credit lending and community-based development.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Her research, combined with hands-on experience in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Malawi</st1:place></st1:country-region>, has convinced her that entrepreneurship is a powerful and effective approach to economic development.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Currently, Marissa owns and operates Dsenyo, an ethical fashion company committed to offering sustainable accessories, featuring the art of African textile design.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Marissa’s goal is to share the art of African textiles with people in the <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> and to contribute to the economic development and social welfare of the women in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Malawi</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Dsenyo's products are currently made in the <st1:country-region st="on">USA</st1:country-region>, and Marissa's goal is to become a Fair Trade company, creating much needed jobs for women in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Malawi</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Marissa enjoys playing soccer, teaching art classes for kids, serving on the Board of a local art group, and jogging with her dog.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">She is proficient in Chichewa.</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;">MICHAEL BUCKLER:</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:placename style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">Cornell</st1:placename><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">University</st1:placetype><span style="font-family: verdana;">, B.S., magna cum laude, Electrical Engineering; </span><st1:place style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Duke</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: verdana;">, Juris Doctor.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Michael was raised in </span><st1:city style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">LaPlata</st1:city><span style="font-family: verdana;">, </span><st1:state style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">Maryland</st1:state><span style="font-family: verdana;">, a small town outside of </span><st1:place style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Washington</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">D.C.</st1:state></st1:place></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After college and law school, he returned to the D.C. area to clerk for a federal judge in </span><st1:place style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Alexandria</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Virginia</st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Following a federal clerkship in </span><st1:city style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">Memphis</st1:city><span style="font-family: verdana;">, </span><st1:state style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">TN</st1:state><span style="font-family: verdana;">, Michael spent four years practicing as a patent litigator in </span><st1:place style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Portland</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">OR</st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From 2006-08, he served as a Peace Corps teacher in Malawi, where he organized a rural village to construct a boarding facility for female students, and led the planning and implementation of a nationwide education camp for indigent students.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since returning to the </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: verdana;">, he has been living in </span><st1:place style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Washington</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">D.C.</st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: verdana;">, and writing a book about his Peace Corps experience.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In his spare time, Michael has traveled extensively in Europe, the </span><st1:placename style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">Caribbean</st1:placename><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">Islands</st1:placetype><span style="font-family: verdana;">, </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">India</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: verdana;">, and </span><st1:place style="font-family: verdana;" st="on">Africa</st1:place><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He likes to read, write, hike, and cycle.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Michael has traveled throughout the entire country of </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Malawi</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and is fluent in Chichewa.</span></span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119486529328432989.post-35538944935668575962009-06-03T10:38:00.001-04:002009-06-03T10:38:26.707-04:00Welcome!<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLMCKEE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In order to keep parents updated on the progress of their child's Putney program, from time to time over the course of the program, the trip leaders will post an update on this blog. We hope that the occasional updates will keep you informed about the activities, projects and successes of the summer, as well as comfort the usual worries in sending a son or daughter to a far-away place.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">You should expect leaders to post blogs <b>no more than</b> once per week during the program. We feel strongly that the leaders' first priority is the students and the program. The reasons for infrequent updates will be the very busy schedules of our program leaders as well as inconsistent internet access at Putney's various destinations throughout the world. Please know that any important issues on the program will be discussed and resolved with leaders and parents by phone, not through the blog.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We suggest that you subscribe to the blog during your first visit so that you will receive e-mail notifications at the end of the day whenever a new update is posted. To subscribe, enter your email address under 'Subscribe via e-mail' on the right-hand column of the blog.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Have a fantastic summer!</span></p> PST Summer Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069641619061766769noreply@blogger.com