Issue

 2  September  2010  

1  
Friends & RPCVs of Guyana

The  Seawall   2   FROG  Projects    3   The  Board   7  

FROG  will  be  holding  a  film   We’re  supporting   Take  a  look  at  who  serves  
screening  and  fundraiser   community  development   on  the  FROG  Board  of  
th
on  Friday,  September  17 ,   in  Guyana  in  a  number  of   Directors!  
2010  at  7:00pm  at  the   areas!  
Goethe-­‐Institut  in  
Washington  DC.  

Supporting  Community  Development  in  

Guyana  
Tropical   rainforests,   bright   green   rice   fields,   in   1966.     Since   then   more   than   380   (RPCV)  from  Guyana  joined  forces  to  start  
and   stunning   mountain   ranges   are   all   part   Volunteers   have   served   in   Guyana   with   the   Friends   and   Returned   Volunteers   of  
of   the   beautiful   land   of   Guyana.     The   United   States   Peace   Corps.     Volunteers   Guyana   (FROG).   FROG   is   an   organization  
people   of   Guyana   have   diverse   nationality   serve   at   sites   ranging   from   the   capital   city   for   those   who   love   the   culture,   people  
backgrounds   and   rich   cultural   of   Georgetown,   with   a   population   of   and   land   of   Guyana   and   believe   in  
traditions.     But   political   troubles,   ethnic   300,000,   to   small,   remote   villages   with   supporting  the  country’s  development.  
tension,   and   economic   mismanagement   populations   fewer   than   300.     Volunteers  
have   left   Guyana   with   an   economy   that   address   educational,   health,   and   technical  
ranks   as   one   of   South   America’s   poorest.     concerns   by   providing   community   health  
Depressed   wages   and   salaries,   a   declining   education,  literacy,  life  skills  and  academic  
economy,   and   the   flight   of   skilled   workers   training,   and   information   technology   in  
to  more  lucrative  labor  markets  have  led  to   collaboration   with   Guyanese   ministries   and  
a   fall   in   an   already   low   living   standard.     NGOs.     PCVs   assist   existing   efforts   to  
Guyana  also  faces  environmental  threats  to   facilitate   community   involvement,   train  
the  coastal  strip  and  rainforest,  health  care   service   providers,   and   introduce   new  
labor   constraints,   low   literacy   rates,   training   and   teaching  
poverty,   and   crime   fuelled   by   the   drugs   methodologies.     Today,  there  are  nearly  50  
trade.   Peace   Corps   Volunteers   serving   in   Guyana  
  in  nine  of  the  country’s  ten  regions.  
The   Peace   Corps   first   received   a   formal    
invitation  from  The  Government  of  Guyana   In   2007,   Returned   Peace   Corps   Volunteers  
   Issue  2  September  2010  
 

Celebrate  Guyana  with  FROG  

@  the  Goethe-­‐Institut  on  9/17/10  at  7:00pm  
FROG  will  be  holding   mother.    The  cast  and  crew  consist  of  local  Guyanese  non-­‐
a  film  screening  and   actors,  non-­‐professionals,  and  students  who  worked  alongside  a  
fundraiser  on  Friday,   crew  from  Los  Angeles.    A  major  part  of  creating  this  film  was  for  
September  17th,   the  filmmaker  to  return  to  his  home  country  to  share  what  he  
2010  at  7:00pm  at   has  learned  and  make  a  film  “in  the  community,  with  the  
the  Goethe-­‐Institut   community.”  
in  Washington  DC.      
This  film  was  made  possible  by  fundraising  and  donations  
This  event  will   totaling  $20,000.00  through  a  non-­‐profit  fiscal  sponsor  affiliate  
feature  a  film   with  FROG.    All  proceeds  from  the  film  screening  and  fundraising  
screening  of  the   event  will  go  directly  to  the  FROG  grants  program,  which  
narrative  short,  The   administers  small  grants  through  organizations  such  as  Peace  
Seawall,  by   Corps,  other  volunteer  agencies,  and  Guyanese  non-­‐profits.  
Guyanese  filmmaker,  
Mason  Richards  and   The  Goethe-­‐Institut  Washington  is  located  at  812  Seventh  Street  
special  guest   NW,  Washington  DC.    A  $10  donation  per  person  is  requested  at  
speaker,   the  door.    For  more  information,  call  (202)  465-­‐6688  or  e-­‐mail  
Ambassador  Bayney   mgeurink@guyfrog.org.    See  you  there!  
Karran.    

FROG  had  the  pleasure  to  work  with  Cal  Arts  School  of  Film  and  
Design  student  Mason  Richards  on  his  film,  The  Seawall,  which  
was  shot  entirely  on  location  in  Georgetown,  Guyana.    The  
Seawall  centers  on  Marjorie,  an  older  Guyanese  woman  who  
struggles  with  loneliness,  abandonment,  and  sacrifice  as  she  
prepares  for  her  grandson’s  move  to  America  to  be  with  his  

2  
 
   Issue  2  September  2010    
 

FROG  Funded  Projects  in  2010  

   

Since   the   start   of   FROG’s   grants   program   in   March   2009,  

FROG   has   funded   seven   projects   in   Guyana,   with   five  
completed   and   two   in   progress.     The   total   amount   of  
funding   given   to   date   is   $2,630.00.     The   projects   were   led  
by   current   and   past   Peace   Corps   Volunteers   serving   in  
Regions   1,   2,   3,   4,   6,   and   9.     Below   is   a   summary   of   the  
projects   that   FROG   has   funded   in   2010   through   your  
generous  contributions.  

Projects  

• St.   Monica-­‐Karawab   Clean   Water   Project,   Part   II,  

US$395  -­‐  Phillip  Chan,  GUY  15  
• Afterschool  Homework  Help  at  Two  Brothers  Primary  
Accelerated  Learning  Center,  US$500      -­‐Edith  Yoo,  GUY   St.  Monica’s  volunteer  construction  team  

20  
• Promoting   and   Complimenting   Local   Pepper   Sauce  
and   Food   Spices   Production,   US$485-­‐   Juan   Rodrigues,  
in   the   Pomeroon   River   (Region   2),   during   his   spring   break  
GUY  20   from   medical   school   at   Jefferson   Medical   College   in  
• In   School   Youth   (ISY)   Program,   US$100   -­‐   Adia   Philadelphia.     He   and   a   classmate   worked   with   the  
McPherson,  Peace  Corps  Response  Volunteer  2010   community   to   construct   a   water   tank   stand   and   install   four  
• Kwatamang   Village   Ground   Raising   Project   ,   US$500         tanks   to   collect   1,800   gallons   of   rainwater   in   order   to  
-­‐  Nick  Smith,  GUY  20   improve   access   to   clean   water   for   community   members.    
Philip  wrote  of  his  experience,  “On  a  personal  note,  it  was  
• Guyana   A.R.T.S.     (Act,   Reach,   Think,   and   Shine),  
really   awesome   to   be   back   in   St.   Monica.     There   were  
US$250  -­‐  Mica  Gaard,  GUY  21   moments   of   nostalgia,   bizarre   feelings   of   déjà   vu,   and   a  
  little   bit   of   sadness.     However,   for   the   most   part   I   was  
St.  Monica-­‐Karawab  Clean  Water  Project   actually   heartened   by   all   the   positive   steps   the   village  
  seemed   to   be   taking,   from   the   woodworking   shop   and  
In   March   2009,   FROG   funded   its   first   project   when   Phillip   functioning   village   telephone,   to   the   head   teacher’s  
Chan  (Guy  15),  proposed  to  return  to  his  PC  Site,  St.  Monica   enthusiasm  and  continuing  use  of  the  computers.”  

 
   Issue  2  September  2010  
 

Because  of  the  success  of  his  first  project,  Phillip  returned  to   open   Monday   through   Friday,   from   4   to   5pm   for   students   to  
Guyana,  with  five  of  his  fellow  medical  students.    The  group   get   homework   help   from   community   volunteers   and   to   have  
installed  additional  rainwater  catchment  tanks  in  the  village   access  to  the  text  books  which  their  families  may  not  be  able  
of   Karawab,   Pomeroon   River   (Region   2)   and   educated   the   to   afford.     The   program   typically   sees   10-­‐12   children   on   a  
community   about   proper   water   treatment   and   hygiene.     daily  basis.    The  students  come  from  all  along  the  West  Bank  
With   the   completion   of   the   project,   the   water   catchment   to   be   able   to   have   access   to   free   textbooks.     In   addition,   a  
system   in   Karawab   is   capable   of   collecting   900   gallons   of   small   portion   of   the   FROG   grant   was   used   to   purchase  
rainwater   and   improving   access   to   clean   water   for   a   broad   storybooks   for   the   library   and   chapter   books   for   the  
range   of   community   members.     The   group   also   conducted   secondary   school.     The   books   are   being   used   to   encourage  
educational   activities   at   Karawab   and   St.   Monica   schools,   reading,  and  to  have  students  practice  reading.  
teaching  the  students  about  the  importance  of  clean  water  
treatment   and   healthy   hygiene   Edith  wrote  “Word  is  spreading  about  
practices,   with   the   hope   of   ensuring   the   learning   center   homework   help  
the  proper  use  and  maintenance  of  the   program,   and   secondary   school  
water   collection   systems   for   years   to   students   will   now   bring   their   older  
come.   brothers   or   sisters   to   help   study   for  
the  CXC  as  well  as  many  students  are  
Phillip   said,   “Awesome   trip   this   year!     bringing   their   friends   from  
At  first,  I  was  a  bit  more  anxious  having   neighboring   villages.     Students   who  
a   larger   group   with   us,   and   trying   to   would   never   be   able   to   complete  
get   everyone   out   to   the   village   all   in   Little  girl  reading  to  her  classmates   assignments   because   they   did   not  
one   piece.     But,   once   we   got   to   have   textbooks   are   now   able   to   have  
Guyana,   the   week   was   an   incredible   success   and   in   access   to   books,   not   only   when   they   need   to   complete  
retrospect  it  seems  to  have  gone  by  so  amazingly  fast.    The   assignments   but   also   to   just   come   and   review   what   they  
days   were   jam-­‐packed   with   teaching,   playing   with   kids,   local   learned  that  day.  
trips,   purchasing   construction   materials,   and   paddling  
around  on  the  river.”   “Parents   are   eternally   grateful   that   we   are   giving   this   kind   of  
support  to  their  children.    A  parent  came  up  to  me  and  said  
Priya   Sharma,   a   Jefferson   Medical   College   (MS1),   who   was   ‘Having  these  books  is  going  to  save  me,  there  was  no  way  
also  on  the  trip  said,  “Spending  a  week  in  Guyana  was  one  of   that   I   could   afford   these   books,   and   my   daughter   really  
the  most  gratifying  experiences  I  have  ever  had!    Since  this   needs  them.’  The  thank  you’s  from  parents  and  students  are  
was  my  first  time  traveling  to  a  foreign  country  for  a  service   endless.    A  student  in  Form  1  told  me,  ‘Miss,  you  are  really  
project,   I   was   extremely  apprehensive   about   the   obstacles   saving  me  I  wouldn’t  have  been  able  to  do  my  assignment  if  I  
that   I   would  face.     However,   I   was   completely   amazed  by   didn’t  have  this  book.’”  
how   easy   it   was   to   adapt   to   the   Guyanese   life.     As   soon   as  
we   arrived   at   the   village,   I  was   overwhelmed   by    
the  gratitude   and   hospitality   of   St.   Monica,  and   we   were  
able   to  interact   with   the  villagers   as   if  we  were   from   St.    
Monica   itself.     Every   day   was   a   new   learning   experience,  
 
whether   it   was   learning   how   to   sleep   in   a   hammock  
comfortably,   or   learning   how   to   balance   a   flashlight   while    
acting  out  Yoda  in  our  "Celebrity"  game.”  

Afterschool   Homework   Help   at   Two   Brothers   Primary  

Accelerated  Learning  Center  
 
In   March   2010,   Edith   Yoo   (Guy   20)   used   a   FROG   grant   to  
purchase  textbooks  for  the  secondary  students’  afterschool  
homework   program   at   Two   Brothers   Primary   Accelerated  
Learning  Center  in  Canal  #1,  Region  3.    The  learning  center  is  

4  
 
   Issue  2  September  2010    
 
Promoting  and  Complimenting  Local  Pepper  
Sauce  and  Food  Spices  Production    
 
During  the  summer  of  2010,  Juan  Rodriguez  (GUY  20)  worked  with  the  Vilvoorden  Women's  Group  on  
the  Essequibo  Coast,  Region  2  to  implement  a  project  which  aims  to  create  a  way  for  members  of  the  
women’s   group   to   earn   income   from   producing   and   selling  
pepper   sauce   and   ground   spices   in   their   local   communities.    
Funds   from   the   FROG   grant   were   used   to   purchase   equipment  
and   supplies   to   start   production   and   packaging   of   the   pepper  
sauce   and   dried   spices.     All   funds   generated   from   the   sale   of  
their  products  will  be  used  to  sustain  production.  

Juan   said   “Through   this   project   I   managed   to   learn   some  

interesting   agricultural   tips   concerning   pepper   sauce   and   food  
spices,   but   more   importantly   it   provided   me   an   opportunity   to  
more  intimately  work  with  the  ladies  from  the  Women’s  group.    

In  School  Youth  (ISY)  Program  

 
Adia   McPherson,   a   Peace   Corps   Response   Volunteer,   of  all  ages  were  able  to  learn  from  the  handouts.      After  
worked   with   Artistes   in   Direct   Support   (AIDS)   in   each  session  the  staff  was  left  with  a  renewed  sense  of  
Georgetown.     She   used   her   FROG   grant   to   strengthen   responsibility   not   just   for   ourselves   but   we   were   also  
staff   and   volunteer   capacity   in   implementing   their   In-­‐ compelled  to  create  new  activities  to  attract  the  general  
School   Youth   HIV   prevention   program.     During   the   public   to   increase   HIV/AIDS   awareness   as   we   fight  
project,   she   planned   and   implemented   five   training   stigma   and   discrimination.       As   an   organization   we   are  
sessions   on   the   following   topics:   HIV   and   AIDS   Basic   always   interested   in   gaining   knowledge   to   elevate   our  
Review;   Care   for   PLWHA   and   Fighting   Stigma   and   staff   and   group   members   and   found   this   capacity  
Discrimination;   Counseling   and   Working   with   Youth;   building   conducted   by   Adia   McPherson   to   be   innovative,  
Effective   Implementation   of   Community   Outreach   rejuvenating  and  necessary.      It  brought  our  staff  closer  
Programs;   and   Leadership   and   Governance.     She   also   and   this   is   important   for   team   building.       We   certainly  
had   a   guest   speaker   from   the   local   organization   Help   learnt   a   lot   and   used   the   experience   to   better   our   lives  
and   Shelter   conduct   a   training   session   for   the   staff   on   and   strengthen   our   HIV/AIDS   education   work   in   all   our  
“How   to   Handle   Reports   of   Abuse”.     Adia   also   projects”   reported   Maria   Mitchell,   Staff   Administrative  
researched   and   compiled   information   to   create   Assistant  and  Volunteer  Peer  Educator,  A.I.D.S.  
additional   resource   materials,   including   activities  
booklets   to   supplement   the   In   School   Youth   (ISY)    
Abstinence  Program  sessions;  a  guide  book  for  creating   Kwatamang  Village  Ground  Raising  Project  
brochures   and   other   publications;   a   website    
maintenance   manual;   and   a   guide   book   for   creating   Nick   Smith,   GUY   20,   is   currently   working   with   village  
skits.     The   publications   were   printed   and   distributed   to   leaders   in   Kwatamang,   a   small   village   in   Region   9  
A.I.D.S.  staff  members,  who  were  also  given  soft  copies   between   Annai   and   the   Rupununi   River,   to   raise   a  
to  use.   section  of  ground  linking  the  East  and  West  sides  of  the  
village.     The   village   is   divided   by   a   low   area   that   floods  
“The   staff   capacity   building   sessions   were   beneficial   to   during   rainy   season.     The   FROG   grant   funds   are   being  
the   work   we   do   at   A.I.D.S.       The   topics   covered   were   used   to   enhance   the   efforts   of   the   community   in   this  
delivered  in  such  a  comprehensive  manner  that  persons   effort.  
   Issue  2  September  2010  
Guyana  A.R.T.S.    (Act,  Reach,  Think,  and  Shine)  
A  BIG  THANK  YOU  TO    
OUR  DONORS!   Mica  Gaard,  GUY  21,  is  utilizing  a  FROG  grant  to  
help   support   Guyana   A.R.T.S.,   a   youth  
Rebecca  Bailey   development   program   that   encourages   teens  
David  Boone   (ages   13   to   16)   to   Act,   Reach,   Think,   and   Shine  
Dave  Colman   through   the   arts.     This   project   is   focusing   on  
Sean  Donato  
children  in  Black  Bush,  Corentyne,  Region  6,  who  
Michael  Fiur  
Michael  Geurink  
have   very   limited   self-­‐improvement  
Celeste  Hamilton   opportunities   and   often   do   not   attend   school  
Hannah  Kane   regularly.     Mica   wrote   in   her   proposal,  
Kumar  Lakhavani   “Community   members   and   I   created   Guyana  
Kayla  Nicolay   A.R.T.S.   to   give   the   teens   in   Black   Bush   the  
Jesse  Phoenix  McGhee   opportunity  to  grow  in  a  fun  and  nurturing  environment  during  the  summer  
Robert  Poole   holiday.     Through   visual   arts,   drama,   music,   and   storytelling,   students   will  
Michael  Sabrio   learn   about   the   arts,   but   also   learn   critical   development   skills   such   as  
Kristin  Stadum   teamwork,  creativity,  life  skills,  and  leadership.”  
Brendan  Sullivan-­‐Sariñana  
Scott  Wells  
Cheryl  Witt   FROG   congratulates   all   of   the   grant   receipts   for   2010   on   jobs   well   done.     We  
  look  forward  to  continuing  to  support  the  efforts  of  RPCVs  who  are  making  a  
The   Board   would   like   to   especially  
difference  in  the  communities  that  they  serve.  
recognize   and   thank   Brendan  
Sullivan-­‐Sariñana   for   his   recent  
 
donation   of   $1,000.00.     Because   of   If  you  have  a  project  idea  to  help  support  community  development  in  
you,   Brendan,   FROG   was   able   to   Guyana,  check  out  FROGs  website  for  more  information  on  how  to  apply  for  
fund   two   more   projects   in   Guyana   a  grant  –  www.guyfrog.org  
during  2010.  
 
New  Board  Members  Nominations  Now  Open!  
We  are  delighted  by  your  kindness!  
 
 
It  is  time  to  elect  new  FROG  board  members,  and  we  are  now  accepting  nominations  
All   contributions   go   directly   to  
for  candidates.    Elections  will  be  held  in  October  of  2010.  
funding   small   grants   projects   in  
Guyana.     If   you   would   like   to   FROG   board   members   take   a   leadership   role   in   an   organization   designed   to   enhance  
contribute,   check   out   how   on   our   the   lives   of   Guyanese   nationals   through   micro-­‐grants   to   organizations   throughout   the  
website  at  www.guyfrog.org.    FROG   country.     Opportunities   also   exist   to   spread   awareness   of   Guyana   and   its   people  
t-­‐shirts   are   still   available   on   our   throughout  the  U.S.  with  fundraising  events,  T-­‐shirt  sales,  newsletters,  and  a  number  of  
website   and   look   for   our   2011   online  tools.  
International  Peace  Corps  Volunteer  
calendars  coming  soon!   The  Board  consists  of  four  main  positions  (the  Executive  Committee)  as  well  as  auxiliary  
  positions   created   by   the   Board   to   help   supplement   and   sustain   our   efforts.     The  
  Executive  Committee  will  be  elected  once  the  new  Board  Members  have  accepted  their  
  nominations  and  have  been  voted  on  to  the  Board.  
 
The  FROG  board  meets  every  few  weeks  to  plan  and  execute  the  activities,  policy,  and  
  direction   of   FROG.     The   meetings   are   held   using   Skype   in   a   teleconference   setting  
approximately  once  every  six  weeks,  or  as  necessary.      

Serving  on  the  Board  of  Directors  for  the  Friends  and  RPCVs  of  Guyana  can  be  a  richly  
rewarding  experience.    The  small,  yet  focused  nature  of  our  organization  allows  us  to  
move   quickly   and   flexibly   in   order   to   accomplish   our   mission.     Please   share   in   our  
success  by  becoming  a  nominee,  or  nominating  someone  who  would  be  a  good  fit.  

Nominations   can   be   sent   to   board@guyfrog.org,   or   nominees   may   fill   out   the  

application  form  on  our  website  at  www.guyfrog.org.  

6  
 
   Issue  2  September  2010    
 
Updates  from  the  FROG  Board  
 
Mike  Geurink,  President  &  Chief  Fundraiser,  (GUY  12):  Mike  is  still  with  JSI  but  with  the  DELIVER  Project  
as  Finance  and  Admin  Manager  for  their  Ethiopia  field  office.    He  travels  a  bit  for  work  and  is  often  out  
of  Washington  for  personal  reasons  as  well.    Otherwise  Mike  is  in  Washington,  DC  most  of  the  time  
enjoying  the  city,  especially  Eastern  Market,  playing  golf  and  soccer,  hanging  out  with  his  friends  and  
enjoying  life.    

Kati   Ringer,   Vice   President   &   Membership   Coordinator,   (GUY   14):   Kati   works   at   an   international  
development  consulting  in  Burlington,  Vermont.    When  not  working  or  helping  with  FROG,  she  likes  to  
make   art   and   spend   time   outside.     Currently,   she   has   a   show   of   photographs   at   the   Daily   Planet   in  
Burlington  and  will  be  showing  paintings  and  photographs  at  the  South  End  Art  Hop  during  the  month  
of  September.    

Louise   Stenberg,   Secretary   &   Projects   Manager,   (GUY   12):  Life  has  been  full  of  changes  during  the  past  couple  years!  
After  living  in  Washington  DC  for  a  year,  Louise  decided  to  return  home  to  the  great  state  of  Minnesota  and  currently  
lives  in  St.  Paul.    She  now  works  for  the  Minnesota  Department  of  Health  in  the  Office  of  Public  Health  Practice,  focusing  
on   quality   improvement   and   performance   management   within   the   state   and   local   public   health   system   in   Minnesota.    
She’s  happy  to  be  closer  to  family  and  friends  and  enjoys  becoming  a  fanatical  Twins  follower  once  again.  

Eric  Terpstra,  Treasurer  &  Membership  Coordinator,  (GUY  14):  This  summer,  Eric  has  been  cranking  out  
software,   taming   backyard   flora,   and   wiping   sweat   from   his   brow   in   Memphis,   TN.     His   time   as   FROG  
treasurer   has   given   him   much   respect   for   the   accountants   and   bookkeepers   of   the   world.     He   looks  
forward   to   welcoming   new   FROG   board   members   this   fall   and   watching   FROG   blossom   into   a   mature  
organization.  

Scott   Stadum,   Technology   Chair   &   Program   Manager,   (GUY   12):   Scott   recently   moved   back   to  
Washington,   DC   after   spending   two   years   working   for   a   nonprofit   in   Buenos   Aires,   Argentina.     He  
recently  joined  the  Sunlight  Foundation  as  a  new  media  specialist  and  gets  to  spend  much  of  his  time  
staying  in  tune  with  the  politics  of  Washington.  

Jody   Knueppel,   Assistant   Treasurer   &   Accounting,   (GUY   16):   Jody   has   put   over   1000   km   on   her  
snowboard  this  season  and  recently  moved  to  Mozambique.  

Aimie  Langenfeld-­‐Mims,  Community  Outreach  Coordinator,  (GUY  14):  Greetings  from  Aimie!  It’s  been  
a  great  year!  Aimie’s  work  as  a  Siting  and  Land  Rights  Specialist  with  an  Energy  Development  Company  
in  her  home  state  of  Minnesota  has  kept  her  busy  traveling  around  the  Midwest,  learning  new  things,  
and  meeting  new  people.    She  got  married  this  past  July  to  a  great  guy,  Ryan  Mims,  and  had  an  amazing  
day   with   their   family   and   friends.     She   is   now   Aimie   Mims!   She   thinks   it’s   been   awesome   to   be   a   part   of  
the   FROG   Board;   supporting   the   creativity   and   passion   that   PCVs   have   for   their   work   and   their   communities   is   so  
rewarding.    We  all  thank  you  for  your  continued  support  of  FROG;  we  couldn't  do  it  without  you!  

The   FROG   Board   sends   a   heartfelt   shout-­‐out   to   our   Intern,   Alan   Ince.     Alan   was   instrumental   in   the   planning   and  
promotion   of   our   film   screening   and   fundraiser   on   Friday,   September   17th.       We   sincerely   appreciate   all   your   efforts,  
Alan-­‐  thanks  for  a  job  well  done!  

 
   Issue  2  September  2010  
 
Signing  Off,  Mr.    President  
 
As  I  look  to  wrap-­‐up  my  term  as  President,  I  wanted  to  reflect  on  how  our  non-­‐profit  began  and  how  our  ‘tadpole’  has  grown  in  to  
FROG.    It  was  all  very  simple-­‐  well,  maybe  not  that  simple.    Whenever  you  put  a  number  of  RPCVs  together  who  want  to  carry  on  the  
rd
3  goal  of  the  Peace  Corps,  it  is  bound  to  be  an  exciting,  challenging,  and  dynamic  process.    Here  is  how  our  group  came  to  be  and  
how  we’ve  grown  since  2006.  
   
After  my  COS  in  March  of  2006,  I  was  a  fresh  RPCV  ready  to  start  a  professional  life  
Yup,  that’s  Mike  
and  moved  to  Washington,  DC.    My  friend  and  fellow  RPCV,  Scott  Stadum  and  I  spent  
Geurink,  our  
a  lot  of  time  in  DC  talking  about  how  we  could  make  an  impact  on  the  world.    Scott  
illustrious  president  
and  Tim  Delaney  from  GUY  12  also  had  similar  talks,  and  we  thought;  ‘a  lot  of  other  
back  when  he  was  
countries  have  RPCV  groups,  so  why  not  Peace  Corps  Guyana?’  From  there  we  joined  
just  a  plain  old  
forces  with  Peter  Theis  (GUY  11),  Kati  Ringer  (GUY  14),  Cabul  Mehta  (GUY  13),  and  
Peace  Corps  
Eric  Terpstra  (GUY  14)  and  together  took  steps  to  form  the  first  501c3  non-­‐profit  to  
Volunteer.  
establish  Friends  &  RPCVs  of  Guyana,  FROG.      
   
To  get  started,  we  knew  we  had  a  lot  to  decide;  who  would  take  what  role?  Do  we  become  501c3  certified?    How  do  we  even  do  
that?  Tim  Delaney  was  our  first  President,  and  in  that  first  year,  Tim  was  our  perfect  leader.    He  had  a  vision  for  this  group  and  
helped  us  keep  with  that  vision.    However,  with  Tim  living  in  Ethiopia  and  7  hours  ahead  of  Eastern  Time,  he  was  unable  to  work  a  
second  term  as  President.    One  year  later,  I  was  elected  
President,  which  I’ve  held  up  until  now.  
   
Looking  back,  it  is  amazing  to  me  that  we  are  now  funding  
projects  in  Guyana.    It  seemed  like  it  took  us  ages  to  finally  get  
that  first  proposal.    It  is  gratifying  knowing  that  FROG  started  with  
just  a  few  people  with  a  goal,  and  now  it  has  the  potential  to  be  
so  much  more.      I  am  amazed  and  so  proud  that  FROG  has  
successfully  sustained  itself  for  the  last  four  years.  
Have  any  ideas  on  how  we  
 
The  FROG  board  members,  the  Executive  committee,  our  interns  
can  work  together?  
Well  then,  we’ve  got  some  information  for  you!  First,    
and  our  volunteers  are  the  reason  for  our  success.    I  am  amazed  
at  the  amount  of  selfless  cooperation,  the  ingenuity,  and  the  
dedication  that  our  group  possesses.    It  has  truly  been  a  pleasure   check  out  our  website:  www.guyfrog.org  
to  work  with  you  all.    Thank  you  to  all  our  current  and  past  FROG  
 
Executive  and  Board  Members.      And  thank  you  to  to  all  the  Peace  
Corps  Volunteers  that  are  still  in  the  country  and  doing  great   Then,  email  Louise  Stenberg  at  lstenberg@guyfrog.org  
work.    We  will  continue  to  improve  FROG  so  we  can  be  another   and  say  you’re  interested.    
form  of  support  for  all  the  great  ideas  that  need  just  a  little  bit  of    
funding.    Enjoy  your  time  in  Guyana  because  it  is  a  time  I  still   Thanks  for  all  your  support!    
cherish  and  will  for  the  rest  of  my  life.  
 
 
Sincerely,   And  remember,  the  more  we  raise,  the  more  we  can  
  do.  So  please  –  check  out  our  website  and  donate  to  a  
Michael  Geurink   good  cause!  
FROG  President    
 
 

If  you  haven't  heard  of  us  yet,  FROG  is  a  grassroots  level  non-­‐profit  working  with  organizations  in  
  Guyana  to  further  development.    
th
723  12  St.  SE  #3   Check  us  out  on  the  web  at  www.guyfrog.org  
Washington,  DC  20003  

8