Jason Pearce

Last month PeaceCorpsOnline.org ran a story about a group of 60 Peace Corps volunteers in the Dominican Republic who had planned a peace demonstration at the US Embassy against US policy in Iraq in March and asked RPCVs to comment on whether Peace Corps Volunteers retain first amendment rights while serving overseas to protest actions of the United States Government.

This story provoked more comments than any other story they have published in a long time. More than 50 messages have made on the topic; one of them was mine.

Since making this post on June 16, 2003, traffic to my site grew 344 percent (which is to say three more people showed up). Kidding aside, my story is being read by others.

PeaceCorpsOnline.org Publisher Hugh Pickens sent me an email the day following my post requesting if he could feature me in an upcoming issue. Yesterday, he followed up with an email saying my story is being considered for their August issue.

I’ve also received a few emails from people who read my comments at PeaceCorpsOnline.org and followed links to my site. Here are a few excerpts from emails I’ve received from visitors:

From: “Peter”
Subject: Peace Corps
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 18:19:01 -0500

Jason,

I just read your posting on the RPCV website. I am very sorry to hear what you went through. It’s something we were threatened with in Sierra Leone as well.

I served in that country for three years, from 1979 to 1982. As I recall, the Peace Corps handbook allowed volunteers to speak to the US press without hindrance, and suggested caution in talking to host country media. Against that background, we received a sneering (the best word that I can think of that the moment) letter from the Peace Corps Director saying any volunteer who spoke to any media, at home or in-country, would be terminated, and any staff member who did so would be fired. The idea was that we might win an appeal, but could never return to Sierra Leone.

This came after someone in the media interviewed a PCV. I was told the story came out very positively, but I don’t know for sure — I lived at the remote end of the country. It nearly caused a revolt among the volunteers, especially when he sent out a second memo saying there was a correction, and it was exactly the same as before. There were other problems with this director as well.

Peace Corps has been gone from Sierra Leone for nearly ten years, but it remains very popular and now that the war is over the government wants it back. I would still advise volunteers to be cautious in talking to the press. Many of the publishers in Freetown are now friends or acquaintances of mine, and I make the statement in full knowledge of the perils that anyone might face with the media. Still, I think that is their right.

Regards,

Peter

And this one…

Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2003 10:06:15 -0500
From: Bianca

Good Morning Jason,

I’ve read most of your website regarding your “adventures” with the Peace Corps.

It was nice to hear/read something negative. I have an idealistic view of the PC and its services. It was refreshing to hear it’s not all peaches and cream. I find it hard to believe that everyone has a positive experience with the Peace Corps so reading your story made the organization a bit more human, flawed at times.

Thanks again,

Bianca

For those who are visiting my site for the first time and wish to learn more about my Peace Corps experience, here are a few helpful links:

Early Termination

An extensive section documenting my early termination. This section include memos and emails exchanged between myself and the Peace Corps.

My Monologue

You’re in it. It is here that I share my experiences (dull and exciting) with the world. Posts appear in reverse chronological order.

First Peace Corps posting

I arrived in Guyana on Wednesday, June 5, 2002. This is my first posting.

Last Peace Corps posting

My last post was made on Wednesday, August 21, 2002. I was sent home Friday, August 23.

Audio Diaries

Two 10-minute MP3 audio diaries that I recorded and posted while in Guyana. Country Director Earl Brown took such offence to these two files he took them to Guyana US Ambassador Ronald Godard.

Letters of Support

Letters and small notes I received from most of my peers in disgust of my early departure.

Thank you all for visiting and sharing your thoughts.

Continuation of my Montreal trip

On Saturday, we slept in (after Friday night, we needed it). We woke, hit the streets, and began looking for lunch. In just a few blocks, we found China Town — at the corner of Saint-Laurent Blvd. and de La Gauchetiere Street — and sat down to one of the largest buffets I’ve seen in a while.

Stuffed, we headed off to Montreal’s Old Town. Located between the river and the city-center, Old Montreal, founded in 1642, has remarkable 18th and 19th century architecture and the first Canadian skyscrapers. Charming, we found its boutiques, sidewalk cafes and public places fun to explore.

We did make a point to visit the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Built between 1824 and 1829 the interior of the church of sculpted wood, paint and gold leaf. It’s paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows were also amazing.

Before long, we needed a drink and a place to relax. Thankfully, we found Jardin Nelson. Part restaurant, part courtyard, Jardin Nelson had the perfect marriage of historic grace and modern elegance. The three of us spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying drinks in the restaurant’s courtyard, listening to the live jazz band, and admiring the huge parasols that provided our shade.

Wasting away the afternoon in Old Town Montreal was just what the three of us wanted. Refreshed, we returned to the hotel to freshen up and begin another night of the Jazz Festival.

We were not a lucky in getting a sweet table this time. Regardless, we had a great meal, walked around to a few stages to listen to some Jazz, and called it the evening right around midnight. Afternoon drinks and a late night on Friday drained our batteries, so turning in early for the evening was just what the three of us needed.

Sunday was all about driving home. Laura and I had about a seven hour drive ahead of us, Rob only had about two hours, for we dropped him off on the way. Leaving around lunch, we reached the US border in about an hour. Unfortunately, so did everyone else. It took us three long hours to get back on US soil. Driving can be tiring. But taking three hours to drive just over a mile is exhausting. Eleven hours after leaving Montreal, I was home.

It was a fun filled trip that made a few days feel like a week-long journey.