Charlene Day
From Peace Corps Wiki
Charlene Elaine Day  | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | |
| Years: | 1974-1976 | |
| Site(s) | Banpong, Ratburi | |
| Program(s) | Education | |
| Assignment(s) | English Teacherwarning.png"English Teacher" is not in the list of possible values (Agroforestry, Sustainable Agricultural Science, Farm Management and Agribusiness, Animal Husbandry, Municipal Development, Small Business Development, NGO Development, Urban and Regional Planning, Primary Teacher/Training, Secondary Teacher/Training, Math/Science Teacher/Training, Special Education/Training, Deaf/Education, Vocational Teacher/Training, University Teacher/Training, English Teacher/Training (TEFL), Environmental Education, National Park Management, Dry Land Natural Resource Conservation, Fisheries Fresh, Ecotourism Development, Coastal /Fisheries Resource Management, Public Health Education, AIDS Awareness, Information Technology, Skilled Trades, Water and Sanitation Resources Engineering, Housing Construction Development, Youth, Other) for this property. | |
| Charlene Day started in Thailand 1974 | ||
| Charlene Day | ||
Education in Thailand:
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| Kevin Acers, Frederick Baker, Rachel Bobruff, Carol Sue Chapman, Gerry Christmas, Charlene Day, Carol Ginzburg, Tony P. Hall, Tim Hartigan, Gary Helton … further results | ||
| Other Volunteers who served in Thailand
| ||
| Kevin Acers, Frederick Baker, Rachel Bobruff, Ronald Cecchini, Carol Sue Chapman, Gerry Christmas, Charlene Day, Lowell Dunn, Carol Ginzburg, Tony P. Hall, Tim Hartigan, Gary Helton, Alan Hickman, Andrew Hokenson, Harry Hushaw … further results | ||
| Projects in Thailand
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| Environmental Education and Training Program | ||
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Contents |
[edit] Description of Service
[edit] About Charlene Day Today
We former Peace Corps volunteers are often described as 'change agents' and that is certainly an explanation for what happens in my personal and very global existence. There are constant challenges we face yet resolutions are at hand when one is inclusive, considering opinions of those different from ourselves, the wise knowledge of those experienced in their field but determined to let all voices be heard before final decisions are made, then act with courage and certain doors open. Everywhere we've lived since Peace Corps Thailand days (Washington DC, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Belgrade, Serbia, Zagreb Croatia and just recently departed from Minsk, Belarus) there were needs to be met and problems to overcome. Life is constantly fascinating and being a volunteer in a Buddhist country gave me the confidence to try my best at whatever I do.
[edit] External Links
- Personal homepage/Blog: [email protected]
- Facebook page:
- Myspace page:
- Linked-in page:
[edit] Publications based on Peace Corps Experience
Thailand was our first home away from home in 1974 and Thai language remains to this day as a useful second language in many situations, Thai food a way to bring different people together at our home and Buddhism as a way to cope with life’s challenges. My husband, Chuck Howell (currently USAID FSO) and I met during Peace Corps Group 47 training and after our two years as English teachers in 1976, again returned to Thailand to work another two years in the U.S. refugee program, living a total of four years during those early times when canals still flowed in Bangkok and water buffalo dominated the landscapes of rich green rice fields.
We continued living abroad, raising our two children to remove shoes at the doorway, escort insects outside gently instead of squashing them, appreciate the sensations of the broad range of Thai cuisine and treating people with respect and courteousness – all values we attribute to our close relations with Thais over the years in Thailand, back in the U.S. and everywhere we go. Now we live in Minsk, Belarus, where post Soviet ‘control’ still prevails in architecture, mentality and many situations and smiles are especially absent in public settings. Our work at the American Embassy here is challenging but still delightful as we’ve learned that on a personal level, Belarusians are similar to Thais where relationships and hospitality is concerned – very gracious people who only wish to share their history, culture and customs with Westerners when we indicate our willingness to receive such kindness.
Globally, I do think that kindness is something Thais excel in and we’ll never forget the beautiful moments too numerable to count while living in Banpong, Bangkok, Ranong, Loei, Nongkhai over those four years. May the friendship between these two countries continue eternally. Our own lives have been enriched by the kindness shown to us while working and living in Thailand and not a day passes when some thought occurs based on the goodwill shown to us in those early years.
Written March 2008 for inclusion in the US Bangkok Embassy website to commemorate Thai American relations, Charlene Day
[edit] References
(for all information above)