Annual report of Activities for 2018

The Mountain Laurel RPCVs of N.E. PA

Our group is very small (perhaps the smallest in the NPCA?), with about 30 “regulars”. All decades are represented, some of us from the beginning of the Peace Corps (the early 60’s). Also, most PC geographical areas are represented, but mainly from Africa.

Meetings are usually monthly, at different ethnic restaurants in the area, where we hope to attract RPCVs or their parents from about a 50-mile radius. These are normally organized by Edwin & Janice Kay (Cameroon).

Our only fundraiser is the ordering/selling of calendars from the Madison, WI, RPCV group. This year we ordered & sold 25 calendars, for a profit of over $349, which was disbursed in January of 2019.

Last year’s profits were disbursed in January of 2018 (see our Financial Report for exact details).

In addition, we have ongoing micro-financing loans through Kiva.org, relending money for new projects all over the world, as others are repaid.

Several of our members are actively “spreading the word”:

Prof. Bruce Whitehouse (Mali) spoke at Parkland HS and Palisades HS (both local) about his experience in Mali as a PCV.

Fran and John Kennedy (Ghana) attended the NPCA conference at Shawnee last summer; they sold Global Mamas products and represented our group. John also gave a presentation at his church.

“Our Claim to Fame”– In 1991, one of our most active members, Marge May, received the prestigious Sargent Shriver Award. She was in her 80’s at the time.