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LOS GATOS: BREWSTER'S 'OLD EYES' SEE PLENTY IN ARMENIA
San Jose Mercury News, CA
June 3 2013
By Stewart Brewster, for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers Posted:
06/03/2013 07:30:53 PM PDT
My two-year Peace Corps service shortly ends. A year ago, the Los
Gatos Weekly-Times ran my earlier article wherein I described what
Americans can admire about Armenians--like intense hospitality,
frugality, self-sufficiency, fortitude, quiet perseverance against
enormous challenges and their immense love of children.
There is an old Armenian saying: "We cannot see with the eyes of
others." Well, my old eyes have now seen much thanks to the Peace
Corps.
Serendipity had a hand in it. I ruminated about serving after college,
but the timing was not right. Flash forward to 2010. I was 63, healthy,
comfortable, well-traveled--but my musing resurfaced and on a lark
I completed the application.
I earnestly told my Oakland Peace Corps interviewer Nicole that I
would go anywhere, do anything, because I thought, "What would the
Peace Corps want with a retired insurance broker?" After acceptance,
my wife chuckled when she had to sign a required affidavit declaring
I was not running away.
Following in-country training, I swore my allegiance to the U.S.
Constitution and promised to be a dedicated "community and youth
development volunteer."
I have now worked diverse community projects and met many wonderful
Armenians. My most rewarding activities have been working with eager
teenage English students, promoting a Love-of-Reading poster contest,
forming a community diabetes support group (the first in Armenia)
and helping to plan a regional art festival. I have regularly shared
anecdotes with Donna, my supportive wife, who has just completed her
third trip to Armenia in two years.
The first mission of every PCV is to honorably represent the U.S. and
share cross-cultural values. For some I may be the only American
they'll ever meet. This then is a great responsibility, and may I
dare say something that has filled me with patriotism and pride in
our country, particularly our shared belief in the potential of every
child born in the U.S.
Armenians have a deep-seated respect for older folks, so maybe my
grey hair gives me an edge. I have not suffered one incident of ill
treatment in two years. Even more so, I have a feeling living here
of an enveloping community protection. When on my daily walk-about,
kids get a kick by calling out my nickname: "Hi Skip!" This small
shout-out is joyful because it confirms the community's acceptance
of me as their adopted American volunteer.
The local police chief told me when I arrived that he feels a personal
commitment to my safety. Hasmik, the director and president of the
nonprofit to which I have been assigned, has introduced me to many
community leaders, teachers, doctors, business owners and has been
my dedicated champion.
Peace Corps statistics show that 1,084 Californians are now serving
in 76 countries--204 are from the Bay Area--with 28,422 Californians
having served since President Kennedy sounded the call in 1961.
Female PCVs have outnumbered males since 1985 and now top 62 percent.
The average age is 28 with only 7 percent above age 50 and only 1
percent my age or older. About 350 married couples serve or 9 percent
of the 8,073 PCVs now in service. The Peace Corps recognizes that
mature volunteers are rich in life experience and through its "50 Plus
Initiative" the average age has crept up over the last decade. [See:
http://www.peacecorps.gov/50plus/]
I want to sound a call-to-arms (open arms) to similar minded mature
citizens to also consider the plunge into the unknown. But the job is
not for the weak. PCVs quickly need to adapt to potholed dirt roads,
avoiding cow pies, flies and strange bugs, hand-washing clothes,
filtering drinking water, meetings that start late, or not at all,
and finally grasping to remember important foreign words like toilet
paper (zak'arani t'ught), because pantomiming its urgent need is
not attractive.
I have not had a TV in two years--OK, that is a good thing (except
for Giants games)! Once you culturally adjust, you will be amazed on
how lifetime experiences come in handy for solving problems or how
acquired patience allows you to pause from doing but rather work to
empower others to do.
So even if I am seeing new things through old eyes, this enriching
life chapter has expanded my horizon, invigorated my life and renewed
my spirit. Throw off caution, be courageous--dare to step off!
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your
riches but to reveal to him his own"--Benjamin Disraeli, British
prime minister, 1874-1880
Stewart "Skip" Brewster is a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Armenia,
2011-2013.
http://www.mercurynews.com/los-gatos/ci_23381267/los-gatos-brewsters-old-eyes-see-plenty-armenia
San Jose Mercury News, CA
June 3 2013
By Stewart Brewster, for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers Posted:
06/03/2013 07:30:53 PM PDT
My two-year Peace Corps service shortly ends. A year ago, the Los
Gatos Weekly-Times ran my earlier article wherein I described what
Americans can admire about Armenians--like intense hospitality,
frugality, self-sufficiency, fortitude, quiet perseverance against
enormous challenges and their immense love of children.
There is an old Armenian saying: "We cannot see with the eyes of
others." Well, my old eyes have now seen much thanks to the Peace
Corps.
Serendipity had a hand in it. I ruminated about serving after college,
but the timing was not right. Flash forward to 2010. I was 63, healthy,
comfortable, well-traveled--but my musing resurfaced and on a lark
I completed the application.
I earnestly told my Oakland Peace Corps interviewer Nicole that I
would go anywhere, do anything, because I thought, "What would the
Peace Corps want with a retired insurance broker?" After acceptance,
my wife chuckled when she had to sign a required affidavit declaring
I was not running away.
Following in-country training, I swore my allegiance to the U.S.
Constitution and promised to be a dedicated "community and youth
development volunteer."
I have now worked diverse community projects and met many wonderful
Armenians. My most rewarding activities have been working with eager
teenage English students, promoting a Love-of-Reading poster contest,
forming a community diabetes support group (the first in Armenia)
and helping to plan a regional art festival. I have regularly shared
anecdotes with Donna, my supportive wife, who has just completed her
third trip to Armenia in two years.
The first mission of every PCV is to honorably represent the U.S. and
share cross-cultural values. For some I may be the only American
they'll ever meet. This then is a great responsibility, and may I
dare say something that has filled me with patriotism and pride in
our country, particularly our shared belief in the potential of every
child born in the U.S.
Armenians have a deep-seated respect for older folks, so maybe my
grey hair gives me an edge. I have not suffered one incident of ill
treatment in two years. Even more so, I have a feeling living here
of an enveloping community protection. When on my daily walk-about,
kids get a kick by calling out my nickname: "Hi Skip!" This small
shout-out is joyful because it confirms the community's acceptance
of me as their adopted American volunteer.
The local police chief told me when I arrived that he feels a personal
commitment to my safety. Hasmik, the director and president of the
nonprofit to which I have been assigned, has introduced me to many
community leaders, teachers, doctors, business owners and has been
my dedicated champion.
Peace Corps statistics show that 1,084 Californians are now serving
in 76 countries--204 are from the Bay Area--with 28,422 Californians
having served since President Kennedy sounded the call in 1961.
Female PCVs have outnumbered males since 1985 and now top 62 percent.
The average age is 28 with only 7 percent above age 50 and only 1
percent my age or older. About 350 married couples serve or 9 percent
of the 8,073 PCVs now in service. The Peace Corps recognizes that
mature volunteers are rich in life experience and through its "50 Plus
Initiative" the average age has crept up over the last decade. [See:
http://www.peacecorps.gov/50plus/]
I want to sound a call-to-arms (open arms) to similar minded mature
citizens to also consider the plunge into the unknown. But the job is
not for the weak. PCVs quickly need to adapt to potholed dirt roads,
avoiding cow pies, flies and strange bugs, hand-washing clothes,
filtering drinking water, meetings that start late, or not at all,
and finally grasping to remember important foreign words like toilet
paper (zak'arani t'ught), because pantomiming its urgent need is
not attractive.
I have not had a TV in two years--OK, that is a good thing (except
for Giants games)! Once you culturally adjust, you will be amazed on
how lifetime experiences come in handy for solving problems or how
acquired patience allows you to pause from doing but rather work to
empower others to do.
So even if I am seeing new things through old eyes, this enriching
life chapter has expanded my horizon, invigorated my life and renewed
my spirit. Throw off caution, be courageous--dare to step off!
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your
riches but to reveal to him his own"--Benjamin Disraeli, British
prime minister, 1874-1880
Stewart "Skip" Brewster is a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Armenia,
2011-2013.
http://www.mercurynews.com/los-gatos/ci_23381267/los-gatos-brewsters-old-eyes-see-plenty-armenia