RPCV News
Excellent online bulletin board of RPCV contact information, news, and Peace Corp publications.
RPCV Publications, InteRviews, Archives, Awards...
The Museum of the Peace Corps Experience collects and preserves stories and objects of material culture donated by volunteers who served in communities around the globe. Contributions from Malaysia PCVs include New Teacher Arrives by Ken Shue and Songket Cloth by Ron Myers.
Gus Breymann (Sabah/Sarawak 4) writes "A Sabah Sojourn," "A Sabah Journey Part II," "...Part III)
"A Personal Narrative: The Peace Corps’ First Two Years in Sarawak" by Llyn De Danaan (Lynn
Patterson). Borneo Research Bulletin. Vol.48:168-184, 2017.
Interview of Leon "Lon" Muffett, (PCV 20 & 65) discusses his memories of teaching English in Kedah in the 1970s (and also his memorable rendition of Negaraku from his Facebook page). The interview was conducted by Predeep Nambia, journalist with Free Malaysia Today. Also, see this Malay Mail article (17 Apr 2020) about Lon Muffet.
Interview and Video of Karen Palko (PCV, 1980-82) who has lived in Malaysia for 40 years (teaching a the International School) after her Peace Corps service.
Discover Corps recognized Donald Mosley (Malaysia PCV, 1963-65) as one of five Peace Corps Volunteers who changed the world. Donald co-founded Habit for Humanity and has received numerous awards for his roles in making peace, welcoming refugees, and feeding children in conflict zones.
John Stupka (PCV, 1966-71) on return culture shock and how he chose to spend the rest of his life in Malaysia (excerpt from New Straits Times (reprinted in Peace Corps Online)
When he went back to the US in 1971, Stupka said he felt lost. He did not have a job and felt that he did not have anything in common with his friends and family. He had a cultural shock and began to realize that everything around him did not change while he had changed a lot. "The food was boring. My relatives and friends were so caught up with their own problems. Only my grandparents who raised me were interested to know what I did in Malaysia. Also the situation in the US at that time was not good. People were protesting the Vietnam War and it was stressful. Everyone was only concerned about the war. I was feeling more depressed." He jumped at the chance to return to Malaysia for an assignment as a Peace Corps training coordinator in the country. When this assignment was over in 1978, he applied for a teaching position as an arts teacher at the International School Kuala Lumpur, where he taught for the next 40 years until his untimely passing in 2021.
The Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service has been awarded to three Malaysia RPCVs--more than any other country.
1995: Robert Pastor, The Carter Center, Atlanta, GA, RPCV Malaysia
1991: Marjorie May, Peace Corps Partnerships, Pen Argyle, PA, RPCV Malaysia
1989: Paul Thompson, co-founder Skiers Ending Hunger, RPCV Malaysia
Julia Chang Bloch, an immigrant at age 9, a PCV in Malaysia (Sabah,1964-1966), was the first Asian American Ambassador (Nepal, 1989-1993) in American history.
Paul Spencer Sochaczewski, PCV in Sarawak from 1969-71 (his name then was Paul S. Wachtel), is a renowned conservationist and the author of more than a dozen best-selling books in natural history, travel, and history on Southeast Asian themes, including "An Inordinate Fondness for Bettles," (2017, 2nd edition) and "Look Here, Sir, What a Curious Bird" (2023). See his author's page on Google and his professional website and follow him of Facebook.
More books by Malaysia RPCVs that reflect their Malaysian experience:
"Finding Miss Fong" (Atmosphere Press, 2023), a remembrance by Jim Wolter (Malaya 1, 1961-65) of his Peace Corps days and courtship of Miss Fong Moke Chee. A love story that led to a marriage of 60 years and counting. See review on Peace Corps Worldwide
"Saviors" (Houghton Mifflin, 1999), a novel set in Malaysia by Paul Eggers (Malaysia 82, 1976-78), also see his book of short stories, "How the Water Feels" (SMU Press, 2002).
"More Alike Than Different: A Peace Corps Memoir of Malaysian Borneo, 1967-1969" by Kate Griffin Flaherty (1967).
"At The Table of Want," a novel by Larry Kimport (Malaysia 98, 1980-82). (Amazon, 2009)
"In The Long Run" memoir by Robert Schul, who an Olympic champion (1964, 5,000 meters) and was the Peace Corps coach of the Malaysian national team (1971-72)
"Living in the Ulu: Letters from Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia, 1967-68" by Ed Demerly (2023). Also see Interview on local Michigan TV station.
"Saviors" (Houghton Mifflin, 1999), a novel set in Malaysia by Paul Eggers (Malaysia 82, 1976-78), also see his book of short stories, "How the Water Feels" (SMU Press, 2002).
"Shaitan" by Cody Benjamin (2018; read interview with author)
"Peace Corps Stories" by Ted Pack about his adventures as a PCV in Saratok, Sarawak, 1970 - 72.
Peace Corps Worldwide: Malaysia RPCV Writers Peace Corps Worldwide celebrates the Peace Corps experience by publishing stories from around the world by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), to share with all who have a desire for international understanding.
Malaysia RPCVs Interviews
Marianne Lauman Smith 1963 and 1965 interviews in hometown newspaper (Hamburg, IA)
Thaine Allison 1991 interview in Washington Post at 30th Peace Corps Reunion.