Letters From Volunteers

These excerpts were taken from letters or emails that I received from Guyana Peace Corps volunteers and trainees. While I may have known my colleagues only a short while, their impact on me was immense.

I am really flustered writing this. I can't believe you won't be here. I am astounded at the decision and think it's wrong, just wrong.

Over the last ten weeks I have come to respect you a lot. While I am from California, you are maybe the third "dot com" person I have known and I am very impressed with your personality, experience in life, and vision. I honestly feel the people of Guyana are losing a great opportunity with your passing. While others may disagree, I see your heart is in the right place to be here and to help others.

I wish you luck in your future endeavors and hope to connect with you again sometime in the future. I can only hope to be as well off as you are in life by the time I am 30. Your travel experiences make for great stories and you are a wonderful storyteller. You self-assurance and self-awareness are marks of a mature and able man who guides himself in life, not just reacting to circumstances around. Your gadget addiction and embrace of technology inspire others and definitely make you a valuable resource.

Be well, keep hacking, and don't forget how to gaff. While your stay was short, your impact was large. You will not be forgotten.

I can only imagine how emotionally and mentally wrenching your ordeal here in Guyana was. My head is still spinning about what "could have" been done given the CD's rather unpredictable temperament. I think he has many volunteers now worried that he's just going to randomly send someone home for no justifiable reason. I wish you were here because there definitely is more than enough web development work to be done. Regardless of what you decide, just know that I have nothing but admiration for the way you handled this whole situation. Most people would have gone completely ballistic.

I cannot get over this whole ridiculous ordeal. I'm really sorry you've been singled out. By far Guyana is going to lose out on a very talented person and we're going to miss you terribly! Do keep in touch and I'll never forget your smile and fabulous laugh.

I will miss you tons! Whatever you do, you'll be successful, no doubt. I will dearly miss getting to hang out with you playing X-Box the next two years. Good luck and please keep in touch.

I'll miss my first Peace Corps Guyana contact! All things in life serve a purpose. I'm sure your talents are needed elsewhere. God bless you!

I'll miss your laugh, your shoulder c.b. talent, and your deep dark savage body. Perhaps you can still rendezvous for a diving vacation with me. You are the king of travel. I remember hearing someone being introduced to you in Miami and you laughing and thinking; cool, that's Jason. Don't change.

I'm really sorry to hear about Earl's decision. For what it's worth, I think he's making a big mistake. Take care and good luck.

I'm so sorry about what has transpired. I'm just sick about it. I tossed and turned all night. When things weigh heavy on my mind, well, you know me I analyze and analyze and analyze. I'm a passionate person and if a friend is under attack then it might as well be an attack on me.

I'm proud of the way you are handling this entire thing; it's very honorable. Keep your chin up. We are all on your side; let us help you if we can.

I'm so sorry to hear the scoop and the run around you've been facing. It is pure ridiculous acts they are doing! I really hope they find you a site - you are a very talented person Jason and Guyana would benefit greatly from you. Keep us in the loop and let us know if we can do anything to help in this time of patient waiting.

I'm still trying to figure out how Earl can deny Guyana the most specialized, intelligent, enthusiastic volunteer of the bunch. It makes me sick. I want you to know I won't forget you or this unfair experience. I hope it fires you up. Frankly, I'm going to kick some legal ass in your honor after law school. I'm serious. I'm going to miss you a lot: Frisbee, cards, minibus rides. Please keep in touch.

Just remember that you will always be a better person that that piece of s*** Earl Brown and I commend you on the way you handled the situation, very professional. Personally, I would have gone ape s*** on that chump!

Life is never fair, so don't dwell. Move forward. Respect yourself and have fun. Now I'll never learn how to do web pages.

That stinks about the trouble you are running into. I had heard stories from several people that it was pretty hard to get beyond some of the red tape, and some people didn't feel that they made any difference after a lot of hard work. It stinks that it sometimes has to be that way, but I'm sure you will persevere. I hope you are able to enjoy at least most things with the PC stuff. Good luck!

We were so saddened to learn how things turned out for you in G'town. Not a day goes past that we don't wonder about how you are doing--and where you are doing it. Having been in similar situations sevral times in my life, I can really empathise with you. I really don't like being the focus of large institutions trying to work out policies on things they don't really undestand. We take heart knowing that you are a resourceful and highly motivatied person, so we know that you will come out on top.

Who the heck am I going to play hacky with, learn X-Box games, and fricken watch DVD's? I was looking forward to that! And even cook for ya once or twice. We'll miss you.

You are an amazing person and I am so completely disappointed that you have to leave us. I hope that you will keep in touch and I wish you all the luck in the world. You will be able to offer so much to those who have the privilege of knowing you. Thank you for the many laughs, the good conversation, and for your friendship. Peace Corps Guyana is missing out! Please know that we are all behind you on this and if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask! I will miss you!