Ethiopia & Eritrea RPCVs became a dream during the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. and formalized in 2003 when it became incorporated and our bylaws approved. The name reflects the historical geography of the countries in which we served.
About Peace Corps Ethiopia/Eritrea
As of January 2020, 3,940 Volunteers served in Ethiopia during the years 1962-1977, 1995-1999, and 2007-2020. In addition, there were three groups of Volunteers who served in Eritrea between 1995 -1998.
Membership
E&E RPCVs is an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association, the umbrella organization for RPCVs from all countries and as such does not charge dues. However, it is possible for RPCVs to select memberships in affiliate groups of their choosing and contribute corresponding fees, a nominal $15 for E&E RPCVs, free for the first year following Close of Service. If interested in joining, sign up for the NPCA here. Although E&E RPCVs is not expensive to run, there are some expenses that do occur, including minimal web fees, bank fees, rebates to NPCA, and fees associated with maintaining our non-profit status.
Why join the E&E RPCVs affiliate? Who benefits? Of course, that’s easy. We all do. We network. We communicate. We share our photos. We share our hopes, projects, and ideas. We remember those who have gone before us. None of this would happen without a community and we are a community, one that is expanding as each new group of Ethiopia PCVs enters and COS at the close of their service.
Isn’t our E&E RPCVs Facebook group our main form of communication? Isn’t it free? Facebook is one form of communication, but it isn’t the only form. As of January 2020, there are 636 members on Facebook, many of whom post regularly.
Members also hold reunions of their service group and participate in Peace Corps Connect, the annual conference of the NPCA, advocate for Peace Corps along with our representatives, support our colleagues in the field, and welcome recent RPCVs back home.
Legacy Program
Unique to the E&E RPCVs is the RPCV Legacy Program: E&E RPCV projects that are sanctioned by the board, posted on the website, and eligible for a tax deduction by the donor. 100% of all donations go to the project. E&E RPCVs collects the donations, tracks the funds, sends donation receipts, disperses the money, and files all appropriate IRS forms. In 2019, E&E RPCVs received $24,566.98 and disbursed $21,901.52, primarily for the sanctioned Legacy Projects.
Projects
Volunteering does not end when RPCVs close their service. Many return to continue to serve through literacy, water, and building projects. Service can continue in the US by serving on boards or volunteering with various Ethiopian & Eritrean non-profit organizations. Help us help each other by letting us know what you are doing.
Please join NPCA (it’s free) and sign up as an E&E RPCV affiliate. Then, contact us and ask how you can get involved!
