Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PEACE CORPS/COLOMBIA
October, 2013
Table of Contents
1
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................................6
THE PEACE CORPS ACT................................................................................................................................8
PEACE CORPS COLOMBIA VISION & MISSION...............................................................................8
SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION.................................................................................................9
A. THE PEACE CORPS/COLOMBIA OFFICE........................................................................................9
B. DATES TO REMEMBER DURING PEACE CORPS SERVICE....................................................13
C. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 2013...................................................................................................................14
D. COMMITMENT & CORE EXPECTATIONS.......................................................................................16
SECTION II. ORGANIZATION OF PEACE CORPS/COLOMBIA............................................19
A. ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS......................................................................................................................19
B. PCV OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION......................................................................................................20
C. MAIL.................................................................................................................................................................21
D. RELATIONS WITH THE US EMBASSY..............................................................................................22
SECTION III. ADMIN & MONEY MATTERS......................................................................................24
A. ALLOWANCES..............................................................................................................................................24
B. TRAVEL AND PER DIEM REIMBURSEMENT FOR VOLUNTEERS........................................26
C. STUDENT LOANS/DEFERMENTS FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS..............................28
D. HOUSING......................................................................................................................................................30
E. PC LOGO AND LETTERHEAD..............................................................................................................31
F. OFFICE EQUIPMENT USE.....................................................................................................................31
G. STORAGE FACILITIES POLICY............................................................................................................35
H. IN-COUNTRY RESOURCE CENTER (IRC).......................................................................................36
I. ADMINISTRATIVE ODDS AND ENDS..................................................................................................36
SECTION IV PRE-SERVICE TRAINING...............................................................................................40
I. Peace Corps Training Philosophy..............................................................................................................40
II. Training components and competencies................................................................................................40
CORE Training Component............................................................................................................................41
Spanish Language Training Component.....................................................................................................41
Language tutorials during Pre Service Training......................................................................................42
Language Proficiency Interviews (LPI)......................................................................................................42
Safety and Security Training Component...................................................................................................43
2
Misin
Promover la paz entre los pueblos
prominentemente a travs del
intercambio cultural, del mutuo
entendimiento entre los pueblos de
Colombia y Estados Unidos, y del
apoyo tcnico especializado de
nuestros Voluntarios en las diferentes
reas de necesidad priorizadas en el
pas.
Visin
Para el ao 2023, Cuerpo de Paz
Colombia ser reconocida como un
aliado estratgico en la ejecucin de
programas de desarrollo autosostenibles, que promuevan la
equidad social y el acceso de las
comunidades a mejores
oportunidades en las reas en las
que haga intervencin.
E. Core Expectations
Core Expectations for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs)
In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps Mission of promoting world peace and
friendship, as a Trainee and Volunteer, you are expected to:
1. Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment to serve
abroad for a full term of 27 months.
2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom you live and
work; and, in doing so, share your skills, adapt them, and learn new skills as
needed.
3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship, if
necessary, and with the flexibility needed for effective service.
4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on
the local trust and confidence you build by living in, and respectfully integrating
yourself into, your host community and culture.
5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your
personal conduct and professional performance.
6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual learning,
and respect.
7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local and
national laws of the country where you serve.
8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health, safety, and
well-being and that of others.
9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a
representative of the people, cultures, values, and traditions of the United States
of America.
10.Represent responsibly the people, cultures, values, and traditions of your host
country and community to people in the United States both during and following
your service.
312-451-4301
312-451-4303
310-247-7200
Ella Ewart
(0051) 202-692-2525
(0051) 202-692-1470
1-800-424-8580 ext. 1470
(0051) 301-790-4749
QualityNurse@peacecorps.gov
(0051) 202-692-2915
OIG@peacecorps.gov
www.peacecorps.gov/OIG
PC Office
(035) 3851060
PC Duty Phone
312-4514301
310-2477200
312-4515503
4. Medical Emergencies
If the PCV/PCT is unable to locate the PC Medical Officer concerning a true medical
emergency and s/he is near Barranquilla, s/he should go directly to Clinica Bautista (Tel:
(035)369-6700). PCV/PCT must continue to try to contact the PCMO or the Duty officer
of PC while s/he is on the way. If the PCV/PCT is unable to contact anyone at Peace
Corps, the alternate and back-up physician to use upon arrival is Dr. Freddy Farah Tel:
315-721-6246.
If the PCV/PCT is not within reach of Barranquilla facilities or doctors, and the medical
emergency is severe or an accident has occurred, s/he should go to the nearest
medical facility, but make every effort to have the PC Medical Officer or Medical Unit
contacted by telephone or cell phone.
If you are at home on vacation or outside of Colombia, and you have a medical
emergency or any other condition that requires immediate attention, you are to call: 1800-424-8580, ext. 1500 of the Office of Health Services (OHS). If you are connected to
an operator, ask for the Office of Health Services.
5. "Back Home" Emergencies
In the event of a problem or emergency at home requiring immediate contact with the
PCV/PCT, parents and families should use PC communication channels rather than
attempt to call directly. Families should contact the Office of Special Services in
Washington at the following numbers:
Office of Special Services: 24-hour emergency telephone number
Toll-free long distance calls 800-424-8580 (ext. 1470) or 202-692-1470
Please give this information to your family as soon as possible following your arrival in
Colombia (in the event that they do not already have this information). In the event of
an emergency, Special Services will immediately contact PC/CO by telephone or e-mail
and we will pass the message to you as soon as possible. Depending upon the
circumstances, a call home or emergency leave may be authorized. This, again,
reinforces the need for a complete and accurate site locator form from you as soon as
you are established in your site, and a specific itinerary, with contact points, when you
are on vacation, ensuring that several responsible people, especially host family
members, neighbors or colleagues, know where you can be reached whenever you
leave your site.
PCVs/PCTs should advise their parents and/or other family members to always contact
PC/Washington in the event that there is a family crisis. Email has become so common
that a family member may often inform a PCV/PCT of bad news that way, in which case
the news may be received when the PCV/PCT is alone or among strangers, with no
personal support available. Also, approval for emergency leave is decided in
Washington, and so precious time may be saved by informing the PC/W office directly
when there is a crisis.
B. Office Organization and Staf
1. Staff and Support Personnel
George Baldino
Sandra Macias
Jason Cochran
Casey Welch
Viviana Ardila
Alberto Maldonado
Oscar Mejia
Eder Leon
Erik Winkler
2. Organizational Units
Executive Unit. The CD heads the executive unit of PC/Colombia and is supported
by the Executive Assistant/Office Manager. The CD reports to the Inter-American
and Pacific (IAP) Regional Director in PC/Washington. In accordance to U.S.
Government policy, all overseas operations in a country are part of the U.S.
Mission for that country; therefore, the CD also reports to the U.S. Ambassador
and is a member of the Ambassador's Country Team.
PC/CO has four other units -- Administrative, Programming & Training, Medical, and
Safety and Security. The head of each unit reports to the CD.
Administrative Unit. The Admin team is led by the Director of Management &
Operations (DMO) who oversees all fiscal and administrative support operations.
The DMO and his/her team work collaboratively with other senior staff to develop
and monitor Peace Corps/Colombia's budget. Most important for Volunteers, the
Admin Team issues payments to PCVs and suppliers in a timely manner. The
DMO manages office maintenance, vehicle upkeep, and procurement of supplies.
The Admin team also issues official identification cards, makes transportation
arrangements, and provides Trainees/Volunteers with needed equipment. The
DMO supervises the Financial Assistant, Administrative Assistant, the Information
Technology Specialist (ITS), Cashier, General Services Assistant (GSA),
Drivers/Messengers, and as the program grows, will hire and supervise a
Secretary/Receptionist.
Program & Training Unit. The program and training team is led by the Director of
Programming & Training (DPT), and includes the Associate Peace Corps Director
Project Manager (APCD/PM), Project and Training Specialists (PTS), the Host
Family Coordinator and other members of the training staff, and, as the program
develops, regional PCV leaders/coordinators. The P&T team is responsible for all
issues related to projects and other program related activities. Within the P&T
Team is the training team led by the Training Manager (TM). The TM is
responsible for the design and implementation of all the training, including PreService Training (PST), In-Service Training (IST), and Completion of Service (COS)
conference. In addition to the Training Director, the training staff includes
technical trainers for each project (generally the PTS) and Language and Culture
Facilitators.
Medical Unit. This unit has one Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) and a
Medical Assistant. In collaboration with PC/Ws Office of Medical Services, the
medical team is responsible for the physical and mental well being of all the
PCVs/PCTs.
Safety & Security Unit. This unit has one full-time Safety and Security
Coordinator (SSC). The SSC is in charge of gathering and disseminating
information concerning Safety and Security; providing safety-related support and
advice to staff, and PCV/Ts, coordinating efforts with local police and US Embassy
security officials to provide follow-up to criminal incidents as well as participating
in the design and implementation of training sessions and materials concerning
safety and security.
Day
January 1st
January 6th
January 20th
February 17th
Wednesday
Monday
Monday
Monday
American
or
Colombian
A/C
C
A
A
Holiday
New Years Day
Epiphany
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Washington Birthday
(Presidents Day)
March 24th
April 13th
April 17th
April 18th
May 1st
May 26th
June 2nd
June 23rd
June 30th
Monday
Sunday
Thursday
Friday
Thursday
Monday
Monday
Monday
Monday
C
C
C
C
C
A
C
C
C
July 4th
July 20th
August 7th
August 18th
September 1st
October 13th
November 3rd
November 11th
November 27th
December 8th
December 25th
Friday
Sunday
Thursday
Monday
Monday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Monday
Thursday
A
C
C
C
A
A/C
C
A
A
C
A/C
Twenty-one months
Twenty-three
months
Last week of
service
Note:
Should you lose any official identification document, please notify the
PC Office immediately. Also, notify the Director of Management and
Operations if your passport needs extension or modification due to extended
PC service, change in marital status, or for any other reason. This is your
responsibility.
C. MAIL
Your current address for all personal correspondence is:
Name
Cuerpo de Paz
Centro Empresarial Las Americas 1
Calle 77B # 57-141 Oficina 713
Barranquilla, COLOMBIA
Mail is kept in a separate file folder for each PCV and all the folders are kept in a
file cabinet in the PC Office in Barranquilla. Packages are kept in the office store
room until picked up by or delivered to the Volunteer. Please advise family, friends,
and others not to address mail to you in care of the U.S. Embassy in Barranquilla.
For personal letters and parcels the USPS has international mail service to
Colombia. Friends and family members can send letters to PCVs via Air mail letter post. For parcels the USPS also has Airmail-Parcel Post and Economy Mail Parcel Post. You might use these services to get things that are unobtainable in
Colombia. You are safest using postal padded envelopes for these items. For
information on current USPS services and rates as well as customs restrictions see:
www.usps.com.
If you need something fast and are willing to pay the price you might use USPS
Global Express, DHL, FedEx or UPS. These should be sent to the same address
above.
Diplomatic Pouch
The Department of States Diplomatic Pouch can be a useful shipping method for
receiving official materials that are considered necessities for your work.
You must first get your Director of Programming and Trainings approval. Next, you
must get written permission from the CD to have these items sent to you. Only
then may you request your family or friends or an institution to send them. The
procedures (after getting CD approval) are as follows:
The sender mails the package via United States Postal Service mail to:
PC/Colombia Desk Officer
c/o PC Headquarters
1111 20th Street NW
Washington DC 20526
The Country Desk Officer will examine all package contents for eligibility. Any nonconforming items will be removed and discarded.
If the package complies with regulations, it will then be repackaged and placed in
the Diplomatic Pouch to be sent to the State Department in Washington where it is
sealed and taken to the airport.
ALL PACKAGES MUST CONFORM TO SIZE AND WEIGHT REGULATIONS.
Maximum weight is 40 pounds. Maximum dimensions are: length 26 inches, height
16 inches, width 13 inches, for a total of 84 inches length and girth combined.
Please note that PCVs are not authorized use of the pouch for personal
mail. For special circumstances PCVs may receive items vital for health such as
prescription medicines and eyeglasses as well as legal or financial documents such
as checks or money orders.
Also, the Peace Corps Office will assist Volunteers at election time for the mailing of
balloting material. This includes post card applications, ballots, voting instructions,
and envelopes. Contact the Administrative Office for details.
Note: Income tax returns for PCVs or education loan documents may not be sent
by DPO (Diplomatic Post Office).
Letter and Package Delivery/Handling at the PC/CO Office
Below are the procedures for when letters and packages arrive for Volunteers and
Trainees.
Letter Delivery System
Letters, post cards, magazines, etc., are placed in a separate file folder for each
PCV/PCT, and the file folders are kept in a file cabinet in the PC Office in
Barranquilla. When a staff member conducts a site visit he/she will routinely bring
and deliver mail received for the PCV and other Volunteers working in the area
visited. Mail can also be picked up by Volunteers on trips to Barranquilla and the PC
Office.
Every PCV is entitled to US$24.00 dollars (in equivalent local currency) per month
for vacation purposes. This payment begins accumulating after training is
completed and you are sworn in as a Volunteer. (See the Vacation Policy section in
this handbook for more details). This pay will be included with your monthly living
allowance, and, as mentioned, the payment will be in local currency.
If a Volunteer terminates service early, he/she will receive the full amount for the
final month of service if he/she has served for at least 16 days that month.
Otherwise, the Volunteer will receive US $12.00 for vacation purposes for the final
month of service.
4. IST Per Diem Allowance
The amount that Volunteers will be reimbursed at ISTs depends on the event. Most
of the time, PC/CO will pay directly for hotels and meals which would leave
transportation as the only item PC/CO would reimburse. This may vary. Any hotel,
transportation and per diem costs that a Volunteer pays for out of pocket during
the duration of the event could be eligible for reimbursement. However, the
reimbursement must have prior approval and the reimbursement will be deposited
after the event in the Volunteers next living allowance payment. Per diem will not
be paid for days in which all mandatory sessions were not attended.
5. Completion of Service Per Diem
Completion of Service (COS) medical and administrative procedures require
completion of laboratory work, a physical examination, and several reports. PC will
pay per diem for up to 3 nights for these purposes. PCVs should begin medical
work on the first day to find out what needs to be done and efficiently plan their
time to insure computer availability and other logistical needs. Reimbursement for
COS procedures includes the regular per diem rate and transportation expenses.
6. Additional Per Diem procedures and notes
Once PCVs complete the reimbursement form, in ink, they must first get the
Senior Staff members approval (Project Manager, PCMO, DPT, or CD, as
appropriate); and then deliver the approved form to the Admin office (either to
the Financial Assistant or Director of Management & Operations). The
reimbursement will be processed and deposited with the next living allowance
deposit. For reimbursement of hotel expenses, the Volunteer must have the
original receipt of payment. Also, for reimbursement of travel the Volunteer
must use an approved means of travel.
Refer to PC/Colombia transportation policy for the approved means of travel.
If the PCV must stay beyond three nights for medical or job reasons, per diem
may be paid for the additional nights subject to advance approval by the
Project Manager or PC Medical Officer.
Per diem may be paid for additional nights spent away from site due to factors
beyond a PCV's control, such as weather, safety and security issues and/or
unavoidable transportation problems, as long as the original purpose of travel
was official.
PCVs are eligible to receive per diem and/or reimbursement of travel expenses
only when the original purpose of travel is medical or work-related, not personal
(such as vacations).
7. Readjustment Allowance
The Readjustment Allowance is set at USD $275.00 per month during a Volunteers
first full tour of service, including the months of PST for Trainees. For Volunteers
who extend their tour of service for at least three months beyond the 24 months of
service from their oath date, receive an extension bonus equal to $100 per month,
or a total of USD $375.00 per month during the extension period. Peace Corps
Response Volunteers also receive USD $375.00 per month during their months of
service (MS 223). The readjustment allowance is not a deferred salary, but rather a
termination payment to assist returning PCVs in their transition from PC service to
other endeavors. Consequently, PCVs are not generally entitled to use this
allowance until completion of service. However, in certain instances, a PCV may
request withdrawals or monthly allotments from the readjustment allowance to
repay debts that were incurred prior to Peace Corps service. Additionally, PCVs
have the option to purchase US Treasury Bonds with a portion of the monthly
Readjustment Allowance. Speak with the DMO for further information on either of
these options for use of Readjustment Allowance. In case of emergency, such as a
family emergency not contemplated under emergency leave, an advance may be
requested from the readjustment allowance. The total advance requested may not
exceed 50% of the amount accrued up to the date of the request. The decision as
whether the request is granted is made by Washington.
One third of the PCV's readjustment allowance is paid by electronic transfer (EFT)
upon termination of service and the balance is deposited directly to the PCV's U.S.
bank account, generally within 4-6 weeks after completion of service. Early
terminating PCVs may be advanced up to $200 from their readjustment allowance
before leaving the country.
B. TRAVEL AND PER DIEM REIMBURSEMENT FOR VOLUNTEERS
1. Reimbursable Travel
When Peace Corps asks a PCV to travel somewhere for Peace Corps-related
reasons, PCVs are eligible for travel and per diem reimbursement. This means
travel to Barranquilla or anywhere else, for programmatic (such as VRT, ISTs, PST
charlas), medical (when the medical office asks you to travel to Barranquilla for
treatment), security, or other reasons deemed necessary by Peace Corps Senior
Staff.
2. All Other PCV Travel
Volunteers are responsible for covering the cost of travel and per diem for all other
travel, be it personal or project-related, using funds built into the PCV monthly
living allowance. These include, but are not limited to, the following types of trips:
To other Volunteer sites, whether it be in your city or elsewhere, to work on
Volunteer specific projects
The occasional visit to Barranquilla
Participation in special interest groups, except when PC requires people to travel
to the meeting site
3. Peace Corps Recommended Hotels
Please note that since we are into only our third year, this list is continuing to
evolve. If you find a hotel that could be a good hotel for PCVs to stay in, please
arrange with the Safety and Security Coordinator (SSC) to visit the hotel when s/he
is in your city on other business. PC/Colombia is in the process of designating
hotels in safe areas that have been cleared by the SSC, and where the PCVs/PCTs
can spend the night in Santa Marta, Cartagena or Barranquilla. No per diem will be
recognized by PC/Colombia to PCVs/PCTs for use of hotels that have not been
cleared.
The following hotels/hostels have been recommended by Peace Corps Volunteers
and cleared by the PC/CO SSC.
Cartagena
El Viajero Hostal (035) 660-2598
Address: Calle 7 Infantes 9-45, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Chill House
Address: Calle de la Tablada # 7 - 12 Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
of a bike and helmet. If the Volunteer decides to buy a bike that costs more than
the amount limit, PC/Colombia will only reimburse up to the threshold limit.
Further, the office will not reimburse any bike costs without an accompanying
helmet receipt. Based on posts market survey, this reimbursable amount is
sufficient to purchase a new, mid-range priced mountain bike and helmet.
Important: You must obtain approval from the Country Director prior to
purchase.
Additional information:
Peace Corps will reimburse the Volunteer via VICA once the office receives the
canceled receipt. Additional bike accessories, the cost to get the bike to the
Volunteers site from the purchase point, and any future maintenance or repairs,
are the responsibility of the Volunteer and will not be reimbursed by Peace
Corps.
The Volunteer must wear the appropriate helmet at all times when riding the
bike. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action, up to and including
administrative separation.
Resale of the bike: Because this purchase is reimbursed by Peace Corps, the
purchase falls under the same category as those made with the Settling-in
Allowance, as follows:
o Supplies and equipment purchased with the settling-in allowance
become the Volunteer's personal property. When Volunteers complete
their tours, they should be asked by the Country Director to donate
items in usable condition to appropriate institutions, such as schools
or hospitals, or to other Volunteers or the Peace Corps itself. The
Volunteer may not resell the property for personal profit.
For safety purposes, we recommend that a Volunteer purchase a new bike and
helmet, and avoid purchasing a used or refurbished bicycle.
payments as soon as your service ends. (As of July 1, 1993, Congress consolidated
the deferment categories for Direct, Consolidated, and Stafford Loans, subsuming
the deferment for PCVs within the broader "economic hardship" category. Some
lenders may not be aware of this.)
Note:
Please be advised that early COS dates may affect the total number of
days in relation to the numbers above. These numbers are not chosen by PC;
therefore you must keep these numbers in mind as you choose an early COS.
The relief from interest payments for which you qualify varies according to the type
of loan you have:
For Perkins Loans and subsidized Direct Loans, the government will not change
interest while repayment of your principal is deferred (an "abatement of
interest").
Stafford Loans, Consolidation Loans, and unsubsidized Direct Loans may
accrue interest while repayment of the principal is deferred. For these loans,
you have two alternatives:
For subsidized Stafford Loans (and Consolidation Loans that consolidate only
subsidized Stafford Loans) the U.S. Department of Education pays your interest
while repayment of the principal is deferred (an "interest subsidy").
For unsubsidized Stafford Loans and unsubsidized Direct Loans (and Consolidation
Loans that include any unsubsidized loans) you must make interest payments
while repayment of your principal is deferred, unless your lender agrees to forbear
collection of that interest until a later date. Forbearance is granted at the
discretion of the lender, and it is subject to the lender's terms. Contact your lender
for more information.
Perkins Loans
Direct Loans
(William D. Ford Direct Loans)
Consolidation Loans
PCVs with Consolidated Loans qualify
for a deferment of principal
payments for up to three years
during service.
E. HOUSING
All PCVs are required to live with a host family for their entire service;
this applies to all PCVs, regardless of age or marital status*.
*On a case by case basis, and approved by the CD, married couples may be granted permission to
live apart from host families.
Living with local families supports the PCVs introduction to and integration into
their communities, strengthens language skills, and provides conditions for
increased safety and security.
PC/Colombia has a Host Family Coordinator (HFC) who is responsible for recruiting,
inspecting, approving, training and maintaining a database and oversight of host
families. PC/CO requires that the host family provide the Volunteer a private room
with a door that can be locked. The room must include a bed, desk, chair and
dresser for clothes. The Volunteer must have access to shared spaces such as the
kitchen, refrigerator, laundry area and bathroom(s). Please take note, internet
access is NOT a minimum requirement for a host family. The Volunteer
must respect household norms as they relate to drinking and smoking. Other
norms, such as curfew hours, should be negotiated with the family. Finally, having
overnight guests of the opposite sex in your room is strictly prohibited.
This could be grounds for administrative separation.
The HFC and your PM are available to help resolve any issues you may have with
your host family. Volunteers are not required to stay with the same family for their
entire service and may change families if necessary. Nevertheless, Volunteers
must stay with their first host families in site for at least three months
before host family changes will be considered. The only exception to this
rule will be in the case of safety and security concerns.
Should you decide after the first three months that a change of host family is
necessary, the following steps will be followed:
1) Inform your PM or PTS of your intentions to move and the motives surrounding
the move.
2) The PM or PTS will communicate your request to the HFC and DPT. The HFC will
first see if there are issues that can be resolved prior to making the move. If the
issues cannot be resolved, the HFC will work with the PCV to identify an
appropriate family.
3) The HFC will visit the proposed family and if necessary ask the SSC or PCMO to
conduct a follow up visit.
4) The HFC will present the housing check list to the team of PM, DPT, SSC, PCMO
for approval. With the recommendation of the housing change, the CD will give
final approval and the HFC will notify the Volunteer.
5) Once approved, the HFC will work with the Volunteer for a seamless departure
from their current family and move to the new family. Please allow the HFC to
handle the delicate communication regarding your departure from the family you
will be leaving.
6) Unless the move is for an emergency safety and security, medical or other
unforeseen, but urgent situation, expect the entire process to take up to but not to
exceed one month to complete. During this time, unless instructed otherwise, it is
expected that the PCV will remain with the current host family.
For more information, please feel free to contact your HFC or PM. Either or both
can share and review with you the Host Family Manual that post provides the host
families.
Host Family Payment Policy:
This is an issue that has evolved and changed over the course of the three years
that Peace Corps has re-established the program in Colombia. There is no one
solution that works for everyone as there are many variables involved. The
following Host Family agreement is a revision of the original and allows PCVs a
greater degree of flexibility in defining how food is handled with the host family
(HF).
The general framework of the plan:
For Volunteer sites in the Barranquilla sub-region (until Q1, FY2015): The base
contract that the HFC will negotiate with the HF is $250,000 COP per month
with no food included. If the PCV would like to take one meal per day with the
family the contribution would be $300,000 COP per month. If the PCV wishes to
take two meals a day with the family it would be $350,000 COP per month. The
additional meal options will be up to the PCV to negotiate. The HFC will mention
these to families in the set-up stage so that they are aware of these
possibilities.
For Volunteer sites in the Cartagena and Santa Marta sub-regions (effective
November 2013): The base contract that the HFC will negotiate with the HF is
$350,000 COP per month with no food included. If the PCV would like to take
one meal per day with the family the contribution would be $400,000 COP per
month. If the PCV wishes to take two meals a day with the family it would be
$450,000 COP per month. The additional meal options will be up to the PCV to
negotiate. The HFC will mention these to families in the set-up stage so that
they are aware of these options.
For Rural Sites (Atlntico Department, not in BAQ city): The base contract that
the HFC will negotiate with the HF is $150,000 COP per month with no food
included. If the PCV would like to take one meal per day with the family the
contribution would be $200,000 COP per month. If the PCV wishes to take two
meals a day with the family it would be $250,000 COP per month.
The Volunteer Living Allowance apart from the host family contribution is
COP$700,000.
The Volunteer will receive the total Living Allowance each month and deliver the
agreed upon contribution to the host family. The main variable will be whether
the Volunteer has agreed to have a daily meal or meals provided by the family,
or not.
Summary table:
VOLUNTEER LIVING ALLOWANCE
Housing no
meals
Living Allowance
excluding
housing
TOTAL LIVING
ALLOWANCE
Cartagena &
Santa Marta
(efective
November 2013)
Barranquilla
(until Q1 FY 2015)
$350,000
$250,000
Atlntico
Department
Communities
(until Q1 FY
2015)
$150,000
$700,000
$700,000
$700,000
$1,050,000
$950,000
$850,000
Housing no
meals
One meal per day
Two meals per
day
$400,000
$450,000
$300,000
$350,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
PCVs can review sample certificates by checking with the Program Training
Specialists or the ITS. PCVs are responsible for creating and printing their own
certificates. In order to use the quota of certificate paper appropriately, it is
recommended that PCVs award them when the event encompasses more than 8
hours of training. For trainings of 8 hours or less PCVs are encouraged to reproduce
the certificates on standard bond paper.
Please note that the PC logo may not be changed in any way. You must use one of
the two approved forms of the logo.
G. OFFICE EQUIPMENT USE
Desks, computers, and telephones assigned to office staff are strictly reserved for
their use.
1. Photocopiers and Printers
The current policy on the use of the photocopying and printing reflects PC/Cs
fiscal, environmental, and philosophical approach, PC understands the need to
economize on the costs of paper, ink, and maintenance, and use of the
photocopying and printing machines. PC is concerned about the environmental
impact of paper use especially as it applies to wasted or unauthorized use of paper
and, therefore, PC encourages the use of electronic means of communication
whenever possible and practical. Furthermore, PC encourages the reuse of paper
for copying and printing purposes and will deposit used paper near the printers for
that purpose.
PCVs, other than PCV Leader/Coordinators (PCVL/Cs), are not authorized to operate
any office photocopiers.
2. Volunteer Computer Use Policy
Three computers (PCs) and a laser printer are available for PCV use in the
Volunteer Lounge/Work Room at the PC office. The equipment may be used
Monday-Friday from 7AM to 7PM, and on Saturday from 9AM to 4PM. Additionally,
there is a wireless hotspot in the office that Volunteers can log onto using their
personal electronics.
Non-PC-owned equipment: The extent to which PCVs have access to computer
equipment owned by other entities, such as a sponsoring agency, local nongovernmental agency, or private donor, may vary from post to post. PCVs who use
this equipment should follow applicable computer use policies and be aware that
the PC will not be responsible for the maintenance or replacement of this
equipment. In addition, PCVs should be encouraged to purchase personal property
insurance to cover the maintenance and replacement of computer equipment that
they bring overseas or purchase in-country.
PCVs must use discretion and good judgment when using PC and non-PC-owned
computer equipment. This is of particular importance when communicating via email and the Internet, which has potential for mass distribution. PCVs are free to
discuss their role in the PC with any individual or group, but they should recognize
that ill-considered statements could be used to embarrass themselves, the host
country in which they serve, the PC, or the US. Material that might be viewed as
disparaging to the host country or as politically sensitive by the host government
could create significant problems for the PCV and/or the PC program in that
country. The care taken in private communication should be no less than the care
taken in public utterances; messages to friends and family, blogs or the contents of
web pages may be passed to the press or others and become a public issue. PCVs
should take into account the PC policies regarding publication of materials, political
expression, and other related issues when they use IT systems and services, such
as e-mail and posting material to the Web. A violation of such policies could result
in administrative separation or other disciplinary action.
3. Electronic Communication: PCV BLOGS, Websites, and E-mail
In addition, PCVs should be aware of the potential for violation of U.S. privacy, host
country, or other applicable laws if they include in any electronic communication
(via e-mail, a blog or a web page) detailed personal information about others, such
as full names or addresses, without the specific prior permission of those
individuals. In addition, PCVs could potentially violate such laws if they transmit
information that could be defamatory in nature regarding another individual.
Similar restrictions may apply to the unauthorized transmission or posting of a
person's photograph or likeness. Social security numbers should never be posted
on a Web site or transmitted via e-mail, under any circumstances.
PCVs who create their own blogs or Web sites, or post information to blogs or Web
sites that have been created and maintained by others, should be reminded that
any information posted on the Internet can probably be accessed by the general
public, even if they are not the intended audience. Because search engines
regularly index most sites on the Internet, it is possible that members of the public
could locate a Volunteer blog or Web site by searching for information about the
Peace Corps or a certain country. This is possible even if the PCV does not actively
promote his or her blog or Web site. Given these realities, PCVs are responsible for
ensuring that their IT use is consistent with the following guidelines:
Notification: PCVs who create their own blogs or Web sites or post material to
blogs or Web sites created by others are responsible for discussing the content
in advance with the CD to ensure that the material is suitable and complies with
this general guidance as well as any country-specific guidance.
Disclaimer: Any blog or Web site maintained by a PCV during his or her PC
service must reflect the fact that it is not an official publication of PC or the U.S.
Government. The site, therefore, must be labeled clearly and prominently with
an appropriate disclaimer such as: "The contents of this Web site are mine
personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace
Corps."
Use of the PC Logo: Because use of the PC logo is reserved for official activities
authorized by the PC Act, the logo cannot be used on PCV blogs or Web sites.
Use of the Peace Corps name: Volunteers should also refrain from using the
Peace Corps name from the title of a personal website or podcast, since the
general public may infer that there is an official connection between the agency
and the Volunteers personal website.
Cultural Sensitivity: The thoughtful and accurate insights that PCVs convey in
their communications with others can contribute substantially to bringing to the
U.S. a better understanding of other countries. However, given the broad access
to PCV-posted material on the Web, both in their country of service and
elsewhere, PCVs should remain culturally sensitive with respect to the material
they post to any blog or Web site. PCVs should be reminded that people in their
host countries and members of the U.S. public may make inferences about the
PC or the PCVs country of service based on the material a PCV posts to a blog
or Web site. PCV-posted material on the Web should not embarrass or reflect
poorly on the PC or the countries where PCVs serve.
Safety and Security: As a safety precaution, PCVs are urged to omit from their
blogs or Web sites information about their precise living location or those of
other PCVs, as well as information about events to be attended by a large
number of PCVs. For example, PCVs who live in remote areas should use care
before placing the name of their towns or villages on their blog or Web site and,
instead, should refer to the general area of the country where they live. For the
Volunteers own protection, it is also advisable not to provide information about
personal possessions. PCVs should be aware of the risk of identity fraud and
other security concerns connected with the posting of any personal information
about themselves, family members and others on blogs or Web sites.
Publication Policies: Consistent with PCs policy regarding publications, PCVs
may not accept payment for anything they write or photograph that appears on
the Web. Articles, manuals, teaching materials, and other work-related products
developed in connection with PC service or financed by PC funds are considered
part of the public domain and may not be copy-righted or used for personal
gain. PCVs should be advised that posting materials to the Web that they have
not authored or created may violate U.S., host country, or other applicable
copy-right laws.
PCV Contributions to PCs official Web Sites: The Office of Communications,
which oversees the PCs official external Web site (http://www.peacecorps.gov),
welcomes the submission of essays, stories, and photographs from PCVs that
will assist in highlighting PC activities to prospective applicants and the general
public. All submissions should be reviewed by the CD and forwarded to the
Office of Communications for consideration.
4. Handling of Allegations
Volunteers and Trainees are encouraged to bring to the attention of Peace Corps
any allegations of misconduct, mismanagement, and violations of law or policy
that relate to Peace Corps staff, contractors, other Volunteers or Trainees,
programs and operations. Further, Volunteers are encouraged to discuss with
Peace Corps staff any allegations or concerns on topics or issues that are beyond
the legal jurisdiction of Peace Corps, such as behavior by a local national with
whom the Volunteer has regular contact but does not work for Peace Corps or
participate directly in a Peace Corps project or program. Volunteer allegations and
concerns will be given appropriate attention; no Volunteer or Trainee will be
retaliated against by Peace Corps for bringing forth allegations or concerns.
Management will take every step necessary to ensure the safety of Volunteers and
Trainees.
Per Peace Corps policy, you should report to the Office of Inspector General any
activity which you reasonably believe constitutes: (1) a violation of federal law, rule,
or regulation; (2) mismanagement; (3) serious misconduct; (4) gross waste of funds;
(5) abuse of authority; or (6) a substantial and specific danger to the public health
and safety relating to the programs and operations of the Peace Corps.
Allegations and concerns can be reported to any PC/C senior staff, or to Peace Corps
Regional Director, Associate Director for Safety and Security, Associate Director for
Global Operations, or other appropriate officer at Peace Corps headquarters in
Washington, D.C. Early in PST Peace Corps Colombia Trainees are provided a walletsize laminated card with this contact data. Any Peace Corps staff member who
receives or has knowledge of an allegation or concern must treat the information
with the utmost discretion and confidentiality consistent with appropriate handling of
such information and applicable law, including, where appropriate, referral to the
Office of Inspector General or other legal authorities. All allegations or concerns will
be given serious consideration and review, and will be handled, resolved or disposed
of, as appropriate, by Peace Corps management and/or the Office of Inspector
General.
Based upon the nature of the allegations or concerns and the totality of available
facts, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the Volunteers or Trainees
safety. If there is any uncertainty, managers will err on the side of caution and take
every measure to ensure Volunteer and Trainee safety.
Peace Corps staff is prohibited from retaliating in any manner against a
Volunteer/Trainee because the Volunteer/Trainee reported an allegation or concern.
Nothing in these policies, however, should be construed to exempt a Volunteer or
Trainee from the requirements to follow the rules and policies set forth in this
Handbook or the Peace Corps Manual, or to preclude Peace Corps from taking
appropriate action against persons who knowingly or recklessly make false
statements or accusations.
(Peace Corps Manual, MS Section 271)
H. STORAGE FACILITIES POLICY
The PC Office is designated as a business and a PCV support center, but is not a
holding facility for luggage or other personal belongings. PC has no budget to store
personal possessions, but recognizes that there are times when it is helpful to
assist Volunteers with temporary storage of personal effects.
The use of space within the PC Office for the storage of PCVs possessions is
limited, voluntary and at the option of the administration; it is not a PCV
entitlement. Therefore, when space is made available, PCVs store items at their
own risk. PC/CO is not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of any stored
items. PC/CO will NOT reimburse PCVs for any lost items. PC/CO encourages PCVs
to take out insurance on their personal belongings. No money, credit cards,
travelers checks, passports can be inventoried as contents in items stored.
I. IN-COUNTRY RESOURCE CENTER (IRC)
The resource Center is managed by the Executive Assistant. The resource center is
slowly growing, adding texts and materials and being organized according to a PC
standardized cataloging system. We will communicate further guidelines regarding
use and availability of resources as the IRC develops.
Other resources, programs:
World Wise Schools liaison: Want to participate in World Wise Schools?
Experiencing a problem with your match? The DPT is your PC/Colombia World
Wise Schools point of contact and will be happy to handle all of your queries
and concerns.
ICE materials orders: Peace Corps Washington has a rich diversity of materials
available both electronically and in hard copy form. This is called the PC
Information Collection and Exchange (ICE). If you would like to see the
electronic catalog, contact the Executive Assistant and she can also place
orders for you.
When calling a staff member, ask them to call you back so as to not use up
your credit
How to make calls from your CLARO phone
All cell phone numbers in Colombia are 10 digits starting with a 3XX-XXX-XXXX (for
example Peace Corps duty phone number is 312-451-4301).
From your cell phone you dial directly the 10 digit number it does not matter
where in the country you are nor does it matter where the person receiving the call
is located.
Land line numbers are 7 digit numbers XXX-XXXX (PC office number is 385-1060).
When calling a land line from your cell phone you must first dial 03 then the city
code (see list) then the 7 digit landline number. So the Peace Corps Office from
your cell phone is:
03 5 385-1060
03 for call to land line from cell phone 5 for Barranquilla city code then the 7
digit number
When calling from a cell phone, you must always include the city code number
even if you are in the city which you are calling.
City Code
Bogota
1
Cali 2
Medelln
Barranquilla
4
5
Santa Marta
Cartagena 5
How to receive calls from your CLARO phone from the U.S.: You can receive
international calls on your CLARO phone. From the U.S. the number to dial is 01157- and the ten digit cell phone number.
011-57-3XX-XXX-XXXX
011 for international call 57 Colombia country code your 10 digit cell phone
number
1. Cell Phone Usage During Training
You must adhere to PC cell phone policy that the use of cell phones is prohibited
during PST working hours. This means that you must turn off your cell phone
between 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. You may use your lunch hour to check for missed
calls or text messages. Cell phones must be turned off again from 1:00 to 5:00pm.
Text messaging is also prohibited during working hours. Please know that this
policy applies for staff as well.
At Host Families: Please DO NOT make outgoing international calls to the U.S. from
your host familys house (no matter how much your family may make you feel like
you are en su casa). This applies to the use of phone cards or credit cards that
you may buy in the U.S. or have sent to you from the U.S. As with most developing
countries the infrastructure is not always adequate and there is a fair amount of
fraud within the system. This could cause problems and hard feelings on both
sides. Please do not jeopardize the PC goals of cross-cultural integration with
problems that can be avoided from the outset. You may want to arrange with your
host family to allow your family to call you at their number at a specific prearranged time, but be sure to negotiate this arrangement well in advance with your
host family. In addition, please be considerate of your host family and do not talk
very long (30 minutes or more, for example), because this is their private phone.
You can make collect calls using the International Operator at 170, 150 (por
cobrar all or cobro revertido). This costs quite a lot more than using the Internet
or a cell phone, however.
2. Income Tax
Complete information concerning the payment of your United States Federal
Income Tax will be sent to you shortly after the first of each calendar year. This will
include the taxable percentage of your PC allowances, filing dates, and other
details. You are responsible for maintaining your own records of allowances
received in Colombia. No taxes are withheld for you by PC.
You should receive a W-2 form from Washington reporting on withholding from your
readjustment allowance which is taxable in the year it is earned (not delayed until
you actually collect it). If you do not receive the form by March 15 of each year
that you are here, please contact the DMO.
Taxable income includes the following: domestic help, clothing, recreation,
transportation and miscellaneous expenses. In addition to the Readjustment
Allowance on the W-2 form, leave (vacation) and special leave are also taxable, as
well as a portion of living allowance. PCVs are reminded that the filing deadline for
persons living overseas is June 15.
3. Fiscal Policies
The sale of any items that you brought with you to Colombia such as tape
recorders, cameras, books, clothing, etc., for profit is prohibited. This prohibition
applies to PC staff as well as to PCVs.
4. Currency Exchange
There are a cluster of Currency Exchange houses on Calle 76 between Carreras 46
and 47 in Barranquilla. Outlets can also be found at the Portal del Prado and
Buenavista malls.
5. Airport Exit tax
There is a tax that must be paid when exiting the country. When a ticket is
purchased directly from Avianca or Copa it is normally included in the ticket price
(included in the taxes section). When the ticket is purchased through Expedia,
Kayak or any online discount site (or with Spirit airlines) it is not included and you
have to pay it at the airport. When PC buys a ticket for a PCV on official travel
(COS, ET, medical etc) we ensure that the tax is already included. When you are on
personal travel this is an additional cost that you will have to cover and should
take into account when planning international travel.
The visas that are issued to PCVs (son visas de cortesia) are not exempt from the
tax. Even though the visas are issued for multiple entries this does not exonerate
us from paying exit taxes. The amount of the tax to be paid depends on the time
that has passed since you entered the country.
For stays (or time since your last departure from the country) less than 60 days:
US$34 or $68.000 COP
For stays (or time since your last departure from the country) more than 60 days:
US$68 or $136.000 COP
These amounts are current as of August 2012 but are subject to change.
6. Absentee Voting
Voting information and absentee ballot applications are available both at the PC
Office and at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. PC will forward your
absentee ballot mail for you through the American postage system. PCVs must
pay the cost of postage when necessary.
7. Weekly Check-in
PCVs/PCTs must check-in with the office each week, and the reporting is
conducted from midday Thursday to midday Friday. You may check-in by calling
the office, sending a text message or sending an email to Admin Clerk Johan
Villafae, the Duty Officer or SSC.
Training lasts ten weeks with an additional 11 th week occurring after the Volunteer
has been at site for two weeks. This is a relatively short period of time for you to
learn, practice and demonstrate competency in all the skills and activities you will
need to successfully begin service as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
The components that make up your Pre-Service Training are:
1. CORE Training Component
2. Project Technical Training Component
CORE Training Component
The CORE component of PST is integral to your development and preparation for
Peace Corps service. We define the CORE common areas as:
1. Culture
Development
2. Spanish
5. Role of Volunteer in
6. General Peace Corps information
The areas included in the curriculum provide you with an opportunity to develop
the skills, attitudes and knowledge base for successful cross-cultural adaptation
and interaction, while developing personal commitments, learning strategies and
appropriate professional skills to work effectively as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Cross-cultural living is a personal learning process. As in learning a language, one
enters a culture at some point or level. Experience has shown that effective
Trainees and Volunteers actively engage in a process of learning and adapting to
patterns of the new culture. They find a source of joy and support within the host
culture; they immerse themselves in and appreciate the culture (even though they
do not personally adopt all of the values of this culture). Learning to live in a new
culture takes time. One will not automatically fit or not fit into the new milieu.
Well-prepared Volunteers develop a framework and a strategy for learning (and
learning how to learn) about another culture. Recognizing that you see the world
through your American culture and being aware of how you present yourself to
Colombians will be most helpful as you transition into the Colombian culture. The
development of this framework and practice begins during PST.
CORE training includes cultural adaptation and more. The following skill areas, as
identified by Peace Corps staff, Volunteers and counterparts, are essential to
successful completion of your responsibilities. You will be expected to demonstrate
knowledge of these areas and apply them to your work and lifestyle. CORE
includes demonstrating successful personal adjustment and appropriate cultural
adaptation as well as successful completion of all CORE learning objectives in the
Role of the Volunteer in Development work, Peace Corps country orientation
sessions and field visits.
To qualify for Volunteer service upon completion of training as demonstrated
through the satisfactory completion of CORE learning objectives.
Trainees will enter PST at specific levels of Spanish language proficiency. The
following are the LPI levels that Peace Corps follows:
Novice
Intermediate
Advanced
Superior
Each LPI level is divided into a Low, Medium and High sub-level. Peace Corps
Colombia requires that all Trainees reach or surpass the Intermediate-Medium
Spanish language proficiency level.
Speakers at the Intermediate-Medium level are able to handle successfully a
variety of uncomplicated communicative tasks in straightforward social situations.
Conversation is generally limited to those predictable and concrete exchanges
necessary for survival in the target culture; these include personal information
covering self, family, home, daily activities, interests and personal preferences, as
well as physical and social needs, such as food, shopping, travel and lodging.
Intermediate-Mid speakers tend to function reactively, for example, by responding
to direct questions or requests for information.
During the PST language training there will be various Language Proficiency
Interviews, ongoing classroom observation, and formal and informal evaluations. If
by the end of PST, a Trainee does not reach an Intermediate-Medium level in the
final LPI, Peace Corps Colombia will:
Conditionally Swear-in the Volunteer with a probation period for the Volunteer
to achieve Intermediate-Medium level, and
Peace Corps Colombia will conduct another LPI at end of the probation period.
Safety and Security Training Component
The safety and security training of Trainees is a high priority. Therefore, our safety
and security sessions are designed with the greatest emphasis on helping you
make informed and safe choices during your training and period of service.
The curriculum follows 11 global topics recommended by the Headquarter office of
Safety and Security. These topics have the goal of enabling you to practice
behaviors that reduce the risk of a incident during your service. At the end of PST,
a written exam on the 11 topics will be administered in which you will have to pass
before you can be sworn in.
Medical training component
During training you will have 7 medical sessions that will provide enough
information to ensure that you understand the basics on how to keep yourself
healthy mentally as well as physically.
Medical Competency test the exam will be based on all of the presentations
and this will confirm the knowledge you have attained with regards to medical
issues discussed during PST.
TECHINCAL COMPONENT
Project Technical Training Component
Your technical training is designed to prepare you to begin working at your site,
which for bilingual program Volunteers will be both the school to which you have
been assigned and the community where the school is located. Many of you have
arrived in Colombia with high expectations about what you can accomplish or
develop with your technical expertise. Therefore, we will ensure your experience
and commitment will match up realistically to community needs.
Development work is one of the most challenging, frustrating, and rewarding
professional experiences you will go through. It is our expectation that you will be
able to help local communities become more self-sustainable, transfer new skills
and knowledge and help them retain these new skills and knowledge after your
departure. However, in order to accomplish these goals you must build trust within
your community and have people be interested in what you bring to their
communities.
The technical training sessions are designed so that by the end of training, you will
have clearly demonstrated, to the satisfaction of your Project and Training
Specialist (PTS) and your Project Manager (PM/APCD), an ability to successfully
perform each of the project technical tasks, or performance objectives, defined for
your work assignment. Early in the training cycle these performance objectives will
be reviewed and discussed with each trainee by the PTS.
The project technical training is based on:
a. teaching skills that experience has shown Trainees may lack or need
strengthening.
b. enabling Trainees to demonstrate and apply their skills, whether newly
learned or from previous life experiences, within the Colombian context of
work.
c. hands-on experiential activities.
training experience as you are likely to ever have. In eleven weeks you will go
through what is essentially a highly condensed program in language, cross-cultural
relations, group dynamics, and management planning, among others. You must
bring to Colombia an open mind and a willingness to learn everything possible in a
very short time. During training, the harder you work, the more you learn, the more
finely you develop your skills (new and old), and the more effective you will be in the
field. Although you will be learning throughout your assignment in Colombia, when
you arrive at your site you will be expected to perform and conduct yourself as a
professional (culturally sensitive and skilled). Training will help you prepare for the
exciting and demanding job that awaits you. Your efforts and dedication during PST
will pay off during your two years as a satisfied, effective, healthy and safe Peace
Corps Volunteer.
How we will evaluate your qualifications for service:
Peace Corps will assess your completion of learning objectives within each of the
PST components by:
1. Evaluating your participation in activities.
2. Evaluating your presentations given during activities.
3. Evaluating your written exams.
The Trainee Assessment Process (TAP)
What is TAP?
The Trainee Assessment Process is based on the achievement of competencies and
learning objectives.
The process includes objective check-offs, language
interviews and monitoring Trainees progress toward completing learning
objectives. This is followed by informal and formal feedback, documentation, and
TAP interviews with the training staff. This happens at three points during the PreService Training cycle. The Trainee Assessment Process is shared with your Peace
Corps Project Manager, the Director of Programming and Training, and the Country
Director.
Why do we do TAP?
The Peace Corps Trainee assessment process is intended to allow both you and
staff to
mutually determine if it is in the best interests of you and the Peace Corps for you
to be sworn in
as a Volunteer. It reflects the Peace Corps commitment to Colombia and
Colombians to send out
qualified and committed individuals to serve in semi-urban and rural communities.
Who completes the TAP process?
All Trainees and the entire training staf are involved in the on-going
assessment process.
IV. PST Policies
Please note, as trainee and Volunteer, you are responsible for adhering to ALL the
policies laid out in this handbook. Nevertheless, there are Pre-Service Training
specific policies that we will discuss below that apply during PST.
In the following section of this Trainee Handbook, you will find a description of the
policies that guide PST and apply to you as a Peace Corps Trainee. It is important
that you read these policies and understand them. Violations of policies can result
in disciplinary action ranging from reprimands that are placed in your Peace Corps
file to Administrative Separation.
Trainee Conduct during PST
Disciplinary action may be taken for:
1. Unexcused or recurrent absenteeism or tardy arrival to any all training
activities.
2. Failure to respond to feedback given on culturally appropriate behavior.
3. Consumption of alcohol that results in behavior that puts a Trainee and/or
Volunteer at
personal risk, endangers others, and/or is offensive to others. This includes
but is not limited to: public drunkenness in the training community or
consumption of alcohol during a training day.
4. Disrespectful conduct, use of insulting, abusive, or obscene language and
attitude to or about staff, Volunteers, Trainees and/or Colombian community
members.
5. Consistently dressing in a manner that is culturally and professionally
inappropriate.
6. Riding on motorbikes/cycles, or driving any motorized vehicle.
7. Romantic or sexual relationship with host family members during training.
Travel during PST
You cannot spend the night away from your host families, at any time (except
during the Volunteer visit) and site visit during your 11 weeks designated for preservice training. During the weekdays you are expected to be in the training area
in Colombo Americano or other places defined in advance for the training staff.
Day travel is allowed on Saturdays or Sundays per the guidance below.
You may travel in Barranquilla on a Saturday or Sunday, and it is advisable that it
be in the company of a host family member. If you plan to leave the city on a
weekend day you must advise the TM for approval in advance. When the TM
approves, then you will notify the SS coordinator in writing where you will be going,
with whom you are traveling, and when you will depart from and return to your
home. This advance notice can and should be delivered during regular training
hours. If, after training has concluded on a Friday, you determine you will be
traveling away from Barranquilla, you must:
- contact the Duty Officer 312 451 4301 and provide all the above information.
Professional Dress
Please see a detailed section on dress in the Section IV of the handbook that
follows this section.
We strongly believe that your cultural sensitivity to the dress issue will greatly
enhance your ability to productively work and socially interact with the people of
Colombia. We expect you to observe these norms. Trainees arriving at
training activities inappropriately dressed will be sent home to change.
We view you as professionals and therefore accountable for respecting cultural
norms without having to be reminded.
Site Assignment
A more detailed discussion of how sites are developed is in the next section. As
Site Assignment is an important decision that impacts your service, we provide
numerous opportunities for you to express and demonstrate your skills, interests,
strengths and preferences with regards to characteristics of an assignment.
Opportunities for you to provide your input regarding site assignment include:
Please keep in mind that in order for the project team to fully consider your
personal details and preferences, it is your responsibility to submit your
questionnaire/survey by the deadline.
Informal talks and e-mail messages: As your PTS will be present with you
throughout your PST you may speak with him/her at any time. Your Project
Manager will be visiting PST a variety of times and when present and available,
you may certainly speak with her. If you feel you need to talk with your Project
Manager to further discuss a topic, you may request your PTS to set up a call or
perhaps a visit. You may also write your Project Manager an e-mail sharing
more info or details about your professional experiences and preferences.
As you have read, the Project Manager considers staff observations and
recommendations, community needs and your input when s/he makes site
assignment decisions. We count on you to be flexible and understand that
while your project team aims to make the best match it may not be able
to meet your preferences. Our expectation is that you recognize it is your
responsibility to work to meet the needs of your community.
V. Colombia Home Stay Experience
The following section applies both to your PST experience as well as your
Volunteer experience. In PST, we expect the Host Families to play a crucial role in
your language and culture training. As a Volunteer, we are not requiring your
family to play such an active role, though we do ask that they make you feel
welcome as a member of their family.
One of the most valuable aspects of the training program is the experience of
living with a Colombian family; this home-stay experience is an important
component of your Peace Corps training and a vital step in your adaptation to the
Colombian culture. The home-stay can help you make the transition from the U.S.
to Colombia, not only in language but also in day-to-day living, making contacts in
the community, and giving you personal safety advice. To make this experience
rewarding requires work on your part. We encourage you to make every effort to
adapt and try to involve yourself as much as possible in the daily activities and
events of the family and the community. Reserve time each day to talk with your
host family and to observe and participate in their daily routines.
The home-stay experience is a two-way street. Both you and your host family have
duties and responsibilities in order to make it work. Some of you will hit it off with
your families and by the end of training you will feel that you really have a "home
away from home". Others will feel more isolated, in extreme cases like a boarder:
well-taken care of physically, but not emotionally involved with your host family. To
minimize the latter, make every effort to reach out, but remember, personalities
differ; be realistic about your expectations, and flexible to the circumstances you
may encounter.
Despite the selection process and preparation of host families, it is important to
emphasize that training staff cannot possibly know what happens in each and
every household at all times. Therefore, during PST you should notify your LCFs of
any situation that is uncomfortable, and should consult them or the Language
Advisor for advice if you are unsure of how to handle a particular situation, or when
you are in doubt if a certain situation is acceptable or not. Do not wait for the
situation to resolve itself. Experience has shown us that it is actually much better
if you bring your concerns or questions to the LCFs earlier on, so they and you are
in a better position to adequately manage any situation that might turn into a
difficult one.
Your responsibilities:
1 Learn the names of your family members and use them.
2 Learn and respect the family's customs regarding hours, use of the telephone,
internet, smoking, etc.
3 Take care of the family's belongings (including the thermos or dishes they
provide for your lunch). If you lose or break your thermos, you will have to
replace it.
4 Keep your areas clean and tidy and odor free. This includes deep
cleaning of your bathroom at least once a week, flushing the toilet,
sweeping and mopping your room at least once a week, washing your
clothes at least twice a week. If you tend to accumulate sweaty
clothes, wash them at least twice a week. Clean up immediately in the
kitchen after you cook, do not allow dishes to accumulate. While this
may seem infantile for us to tell you, this has been a major complaint of our
host families and a major source of tension.
5 Entertain visitors or guests in the living room, never in your bedroom.
6 Advise the family of your schedule (i.e. if you will miss dinner or be home late).
7 Dress correctly when at home.
8 Share some of your time with the family and accompany the family when
invited.
9 Don't bring alcoholic beverages to the house.
10 Don't ask the family to buy you toiletries or U.S. food items.
11 Dont make outgoing international telephone calls from your Host Familys
phone.
12 Always ask permission to bring home guests for supper.
13 Lock up your personal valuables, money, jewelry, etc. in your luggage or secure
bag.
14 Eat what your family eats without demanding special treatment. (Remember,
you are a member of the family, not a boarder).
15 Please conserve water whenever possible; you may have to take bucket baths.
16 Practice what you have learned in language class with your family and utilize
your family as a resource in learning about the culture.
17 Include Colombians in your spare time and give a positive image of North
Americans and Peace Corps.
18 Attempt to resolve your own problems and maintain open lines of
communication with your family, the Host Family Coordinator, as well as with
your LCFs.
19 Fully complete evaluations of the family.
Your Family's responsibilities:
1.
Be a source of information about the beliefs, culture and customs of Colombia
i.e., gender roles, safety in the neighborhood, boyfriend/girlfriend relationships,
etc.
2.
Provide a balanced diet and a clean room.
3.
Provide a homelike atmosphere, and treat the Trainee as if he/she were another
family member.
4.
Include the Trainee in the family's activities.
5.
Provide the Trainee with a key to the house and her/his room.
6.
Follow sanitary practices in food preparation and provide the Trainee with
purified/treated water.
7.
Help the Trainee improve their Spanish by correcting them as desired by
him/her and not speaking or practicing English with them.
8.
Take care of their belongings (with the Trainees cooperation).
9.
Maintain good communication with the Trainee and LCFs.
10. Establish the norms that govern the household.
11. Pets should not have access to the Trainees bedroom.
12. Advise training staff in case of sickness or accident.
Your Family, Host Family Coordinator and LCFs responsibilities:
1. Speak with the assigned family before the Trainees arrival. Obtain information
about the nuclear family, i.e., number of persons, employment, and family
activities, norms, and give this information in writing to the Trainee before
he/she moves-in.
2. Reexamine with the family the responsibilities and expectations of each of the
three parties involved the family, the Host Family Coordinator and the Trainee.
3. Conduct a training, with help from the SSC and PCMO, on the roles and
responsibilities of being a Host Family.
4. Interview PCTs and match them with host families during the orientation
weekend.
5. Introduce the Trainee to the family on the day Trainees move-in.
6. Maintain open lines of communication with the Trainee, throughout training,
through informal conversations and promptly address problems that may arise.
7. Make periodic (two: before and during the first three weeks) visits to the family
aimed at assisting the Trainee to adapt to the culture and to make sure the
Trainee is fulfilling his/her responsibilities. Each visit should be followed by a
conversation between the LCF and the Trainee.
8. Communicate observations and concerns with the Trainee.
9. For problematic situations the line of communication is Trainee-LCF-Host Family
Coordinator-Training Manager.
10.
Encourage the Trainee to solve his/her problems and support him/her
with an attitude that demonstrates interest and availability.
11.
Give the Trainee the family evaluations, make sure he/she fills them
out completely and discuss the comments with him/her.
Adapting to the Homestay Experience
There are times during your living experience with a Colombian family that you
may become confused by household routines or annoyed by incidents, which affect
your daily experiences within the household. This is bound to happen, and it is
something that will require skill on your part to resolve.
As a beginning step in the development of these skills, we have polled the previous
experiences of Trainees and their families and have come up with some hints for
dealing with the most common areas of confusion or annoyance.
Privacy:
Most Americans thrive on privacy. It is one of your principal support systems.
Privacy just to lay down and reflect, privacy to read a book, listen to music, privacy
where you can be completely by yourself and know that nothing and no one will
disturb you. When you have your privacy support systems shattered, you may
become frustrated because you cannot satisfy what you view as your personal
need for privacy.
Most Colombians interpret the American need for privacy as an illness, discomfort,
bad manners or lack of courtesy. They have a difficult time understanding why
someone would want to be alone if family or friends could surround them. In the
majority of the cases you will find your privacy much more limited than it was in
the States. You will gradually have to accept and adjust to your new environment.
Perhaps a way of making the adjustment smoother is to question yourself sincerely
as to how great you really feel your personal need for privacy is. During your
family stay, your room may be your only private place, but often curiosity on the
part of your family will turn your room into a central meeting area.
Noise:
One characteristic, which most Americans immediately detect about Colombian
culture, especially living in an urban setting, is how noisy it is. If there is not a
radio blaring full blast next door, undoubtedly someone will be honking their horn
for no apparent reason; cars, busses and even motorcycles and four
wheelers contribute to the noise pollution, the dogs will be barking, the TV
will be on even though no one is watching it.
Noise, noise, noise! It is all around you here, and it is not that easy to escape. One
important thing is that there is a certain innate liberty to make noise here even
though others may privately complain about it. But only very, very rarely, do you
request someone to turn the volume down. That would not be courteous.
As in the case of privacy, honestly question your own personal need for more or
less silence. You will have to adjust to the noise, whether it is the TV, dogs, radios,
horns, motorcycles, buses or just plain screaming little kids. Do not anticipate that
they are going to adjust to you.
Diet:
The Colombian diet is based on rice, beans, potatoes, plantain, yucca root. The
host Families generally complements this diet with meat, cabbage, tomato, and
other locally grown crops. This will probably be the case in your family. Rice and
beans form a perfect complementary protein that allows our bodies to take the
greatest advantage of their nutritional value. During the first few days try the
various foods offered to you, complimenting the Seora on the ones you especially
like. Then in a polite way you can make your preferences known. Do not say
directly that you do not like the food, for you may offend the Seora who may have
gone through a lot of trouble to try to prepare things you will like. It is perfectly
acceptable to ask for additional helpings, and it is likely that it will be taken as a
compliment. If you are a vegetarian, you should not have any problems because
animal protein (meat) is expensive and the staples are always readily available.
While host families are advised regarding options how to prepare a vegetarian diet,
do not expect your Seora to fix you distinct vegetarian dishes. You are expected
to adapt.
Laundry:
Personal laundry is your responsibility. Practically all clothes are washed in cold
water. Appearance here in Colombia is paramount; to that end most Colombians
iron their clothes, including T-shirts. The family will show you how to wash and iron
your clothes when you arrive. However, you are responsible for buying your own
laundry detergent and soap. The family will lend you the iron (plancha) when you
need it.
Your Bedroom:
You are expected to clean and maintain a tidy room. Your host family will lend you
a broom, mop and cleaning supplies when you need them. Do not expect them to
clean your room. This is to maximize your privacy.
The Bathroom:
You are expected to provide your own personal toiletries (soap, towel, toothpaste,
etc.) and these should be kept in your room rather than in the bathroom. Your
personal towel is not normally kept in the bathroom, but rather hung in your room
or the backyard to dry. You should also keep the bathroom neat and tidy, empty the
garbage, clean (and flush) the toilet, etc.
Front Door Key:
Families are encouraged to give you a front door key. We ask you to understand
that we are working with some host-families that are new to hosting Trainees and
they may end up not giving you a front door key. Traditionally in Colombia only the
heads of the family have a front door key for the home. Nevertheless, the families
have been asked and are expected to arrange for you to have access to the home.
When the family knows they will be gone, they are expected to ensure you have
access to your home as well.
If you have special plans to spend the evening away, make sure that before you
leave you ask:
A qu hora puedo llegar por la noche?
At what time should I arrive home in the evening?
You will probably find that someone will wait up for you, so you should be
courteous in not making your late nights a habit. Most of the host families have
asked that Trainees be in by 9:00 pm as many have small children and/or need to
get an early start the next morning. In addition, for your personal safety and
security and following the Safety and Security Coordinators guidelines, you are
strongly encouraged to be back in your home by 9:00 pm.
Please remember that if you lose a key, you will have to pay for the replacement of
that key. Sometimes, this may even mean having to buy a new lock.
Meal Schedule:
You should always advise your family when you plan to eat away from home.
No voy a comer aqu esta noche.
I will not be eating here tonight.
Also, if you are away during a normal mealtime but plan to eat when you return,
please advise the family.
Hoy llego a las ocho, por favor gurdeme la comida.
Throughout PST if you experience a safety and security incident or some other
non-medical emergency, you should either immediately contact the Safety &
Security Coordinator (SSC) or Emergency Duty Officer or seek out and speak with a
staff person.
Medical Problems/Questions During PST Training Business Hours (M-F, 8am5pm)
There are no medical personnel stationed at the training site Colombo Americano.
The Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) is based in the Medical Unit at the
Barranquilla PC/Colombia office. The PCMO will administer vaccinations, conduct
necessary consultations and deliver health sessions at the PC building during the
day each week that you will be coming to the office. The Medical Duty Officer (310247-7200) and PCMO (312-451-4303) will also be available for consultation 24/7
via mobile should you need any urgent /emergency medical attention. In the event
of a serious accident or illness, the PCMO or Medical Duty Officer will consult/treat
when possible or arrange any medical treatment at certain medical facilities
already assessed and approved for your treatment or hospitalization.
Medical kits will be provided in the initial Orientation session and inside these kits
is a list of the different medications that you can use for treatment of a variety of
medical ailments from a simple cut to pain relief or allergic reaction.
Preventative health care is the key to a successful and healthy service and all
trainees/volunteers are reminded that YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
and adhering to all the Peace Corps Medical policies is very important.
If you feel sick during training hours
The training team is aware of how stressful PST can be, so if you feel sick at any
time please do not hesitate to inform any of the staff members around you and
they will let the PCMO know. Depending on what the situation is, the PCMO will
then put into action a plan of treatment. In some instances you may be taken for
treatment at the Peace Corps Medical Unit or advised to take medications from
your medical kit, or you may receive treatment from a pre-approved medical
facility nearby a staff member will accompany you should this be the case.
Medical EmergenciesAfter Hours (evenings & all day Saturday & Sunday &
holidays)
During training we will have a session whereby we will go through the contents of
your medical kit to identify the contents and discuss the use of each item. It is
advised that should you fall ill outside of working hours, you will need to call the
Medical Duty Officer of the PCMO so that you can be advised about medications
that can be taken to help relieve your illness.
The PCMO can always be reached at 312-451-4303, and the Medical Duty
Officer at 310-247-7200, which is the PC Medical Duty Officer cell phone. The
PCMO will talk to you and determine an action plan. If support is necessary, the
PCMO will then call the Duty Officer with instructions about what action is to be
taken next. There is also a PC Duty Driver to help the PCV and PCMO with
transportation when necessary.
Please be aware that every other weekend, from Saturday 8:00 a.m. through
Monday 8:00 a.m., the PC Back-Up Physician, Dr. Freddy Farah, carries the PC
Medical Duty cell phone.
Contacting the PCMO for medical issues
If unable to reach the PCMO at the PCMO cell phone (312-451-4303), call:
The Medical Duty Officer at 310-247-7200 or
The PC/CO Duty Officer at 312-451-4301
If your host family does not have a phone, use a neighbors phone.
If phone lines are down, go to another Trainees house or try calling your LCF
so that he/she can contact the PCMO or the Duty officer
If you are incapacitated or cannot leave your home, send a family member to
bring the staff member to you.
How to Help Us Help You to Stay Healthy
Please report any illness as soon as possible to receive appropriate, timely
care and treatment.
Remember that your body needs time to adjust to new foods. Be gentle with
your stomach and make sure that you drink at least 2 -3L of water daily.
Its important that you eat three meals daily to maintain sufficient energy to
complete activities
You should have brought a three-month supply of any special/prescription
medications that you need. Please make sure that you have advised the
PCMO of any special medications that you need during your initial medical
interview on the first week of training.
Any illness should be reported before you leave for a field trip, Volunteer
visit, or site visit
VII. Administrative Odds and Ends:
You and your money
During PST you will receive a modest walk-around allowance to cover personal
daily living needs. Payment will be made to you around the 1st and 15th of each
month, though this may vary sometimes due to field trips, but payment is always
made in advance. During training, accrual of the readjustment allowance begins,
and medical costs and any emergency leave expenses are covered.
During the first weeks of training a local bank account will be opened at the Banco
HELM. This account should be functioning in about Week 4 of PST. Following
swearing-in your monthly living and leave allowances will be direct deposited into
your account. More specific information on this will be made available during the
two Peace Corps/Colombia administrative sessions.
The US dollar to Colombian Peso exchange rate is around 1850 COP to U.S. dollar
and fluctuates daily. You are strongly encouraged to live on the amount provided.
This will help your integration into the training community, as well as create good
financial management skills when you move to your site after training. There are
no facilities in the training center to exchange your personal money to local
currency and Trainees may not request PC staff to exchange money for them.
During Pre-Service Training, you will receive the following payments:
Walk-Around: This money covers your personal incidentals or "pocket money"
during the Pre-Service Training period. You will receive $11,000 Colombian pesos
(abbreviated CP or COP) daily for walk-around money. Your walk-around allowance
will be paid out in installments in cash and in smaller bills directly to you. The
breakdown of how this amount was calculated will be presented during the first
few days of PST.
Field Trips and Field Training: When you are on field trips, you will either receive a
per diem or payment will be made directly to the service provider that provides
room and board. If you are on per diem you will be responsible for obtaining a
receipt (factura) for any authorized hotel lodging that you may need to use. If you
do not return this receipt to administration upon your return, you will be
responsible for reimbursing this money. You must return these receipts in a timely
manner. You do not need to turn in receipts for money used for food or
transportation on these authorized field trips.
Computers and Internet
Volunteer Computers:
Our Information and Technology Specialist (ITS) will discuss with you proper and
allowable use of the Volunteer computers located in the PC/C office. You may not
use these Volunteer computers until YOU have received training and signed the
appropriate form(s). Please note that during training hours, use of personal
electronic devices- cell phones, tablets, lap tops, etc. is STRICTLY PROHIBITED!
The facilitator of the session may temporarily remove the device if the trainee does
not store the device after repeated requests from the facilitator.
Finally, Trainees may not use Staff phones for personal calls.
Internet
There are a lot of internet cafes where you can pay by the hour for internet access.
The cost varies from COP 2,000 3,000 per hour. You should refrain from using
these computers to log on to bank accounts, and you should not make credit cards
purchases on public computers.
VIII. Centro Colombo-Americano Training Site
All staff, Trainees and visitors should abide by the following regulations that help to
maintain the quality and effectiveness of training.
Colombo-Americano, Sede Norte is our training site. Therefore, it is imperative that
we always project an appropriate professional and cultural image and discourage
activities or behaviors that could be viewed negatively in a Colombian cultural
context. The degree to which we culturally assimilate ourselves within the local
community is a reflection upon Peace Corps throughout all of Colombia.
Peace Corps rents a portion of Colombo Americano as an office. This is where
staff comes together for meetings, preparing materials for sessions, using
computers or printing materials needed at the last minute. You are welcome to
come and visit, but please understand that it is indeed an office and appropriate
behavior and dress must be observed. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is
strictly forbidden at the Colombo campus. Please know that only staff is authorized
to use the equipment available at the office.
IX. Other Important Information
Identification
It is very important that you never be without an official document (no-fee
passport or official ID card) since you may be asked to identify yourself at anytime,
anywhere. Until you have received a Colombian Government Identification Card
you should carry a photocopy of your no-fee passport with you at all times.
The Peace Corps office will provide you with a photocopy.
You will be issued a Peace Corps Colombia Identification card during the first few
days of PST as well as a laminated wallet-size card with important security and
health related contact numbers. Please keep these with you at all times.
Should you lose any official document, you must notify training staff at once. You
should make it your responsibility to keep a list of important phone numbers with
you in case of unforeseen problems that may arise.
Transportation
Buses and Busetas are the common transportation means in Barranquilla.
There are buses that run from your home in the direction of Centro Colombo
Americano, the training site. There are different routes you could take, check with
your family and LCFs about them and schedules.
Taxis
A more expensive, more direct means of transportation: The following phone
numbers you could use to reach a taxi is 322-2222, 358-8888, 377-7777, 3191919,
386-8686 if done from a land line, if using a cell phone you should dial 035-3868686. This usually is safer than taking a taxi on the street.
Shopping centers
There are several shopping centers that have shops, restaurants, movie theaters
and grocery stores throughout Barranquilla. Consult with your host families or staff
for logistics to arrive. Here are some of the more popular:
Centro Comercial Buenavista
Centro Comercial Portal del Prado
Centro Comercial Villa Country
make appropriate decisions, based on the purposes and policies of the Peace
Corps, in protecting their own safety and in upholding the best traditions of the
Peace Corps.
2. Enforcement of Policies
Basic responsibility for enforcing Peace Corps policies regarding all aspects of
Volunteer and Trainee (V/T) conduct rests with the Country Director. The Country
Director, with the support of PC/CO staff, is responsible for providing V/Ts with
continuous guidance regarding social behavior throughout their terms of service.
When the CD becomes aware of infractions of the policies on V/T conduct, he or
she will take appropriate disciplinary or corrective action. All Peace Corps program,
training, and administrative staff, and contractors, are also responsible for
immediately reporting any infraction, or suspected infraction, of the Peace Corps
Policies on V/T conduct to the Country Director. In addition, Peace Corps Medical
Officers must extend confidentiality to the Country Director regarding actual or
possible drug use and excessive use of alcohol.
3. Penalties
Any violation of the policies in Peace Corps Manual Section 204 (MS 204) or the
post-specific policies on V/T conduct may be grounds for administrative separation.
4. Living Within Your Living Allowance
Volunteers should make every effort to live within their living allowance. The
Volunteer community is polled on a regular basis to ensure that the allowance
remains adequate for the basic needs that the PCV has in country. Volunteers are
encouraged to live in such a fashion so as to not alienate co-workers and peers.
Those PCVs who have other financial or material resources available to them are
requested not to use them, but rather live within their living allowance. If this
becomes a problem, administrative action will be taken.
While seeking to live modestly, each PCV should live, act and dress as a
professional. Each Volunteer is also responsible for managing his/her own
resources. Peace Corps will not be responsible for individuals who find themselves
with limited cash at the end of the month because of poor money management.
5. Adapting to Change
Each Peace Corps Volunteer is expected to adapt to and respect the local culture.
Peace Corps is not asking you to deny your values and opinions. We are asking you
to view them through the eyes of your counterparts and clients in the field. When
you arrive in your site, each of you should become observers, to learn the rhythm
of life in your community or barrio and at your workplace. The PCV is in an
excellent position to introduce alternatives and options, but not to impose the U.S.
point of view or values. Be patient with yourself and your community.
Another point to keep in mind is that your social and working life cannot be
separated to the extent they can be in the United States. The saying its a small
world applies to life and work in Colombia, campo or city, where most will be
living and working. An indiscreet private life will likely get back to your host family,
community and/or your co-workers and may cause tensions during your service.
In keeping with the Peace Corps goals, Volunteers are expected to come to
Colombia to serve the needs of Colombians and to leave with a better
understanding of the country and the people. The best way to achieve these goals
is through integration into your site. When Volunteers leave their barrios or
communities and travel excessively they can create negative impressions of
themselves and other Volunteers in their communities, with their host agencies
and with other organizations or persons who may be observing them. Furthermore,
they miss the unique opportunity for real integration into their host site. The Peace
Corps Colombia vacation policy and out-of-community travel policy (Handbook
Appendix C) were developed with the goal of providing Volunteers with needed and
well-deserved time for travel while behaving as professionals, being accountable
and safe. Each Volunteer is expected to strictly adhere to these policies.
6. Personal Appearance
You will frequently be judged by the way you dress. This is true in the United States
and is especially important in Colombia. Two things to keep in mind regarding
personal appearance are cleanliness and neatness. Colombian professionals take
pride in their appearance. Taking pride in your appearance is a gesture of respect
to them and yourself.
Upon entering your community for the first time, a PCV often does not have the
linguistic skills to communicate much about him/herself. Appearance is often the
first very important impression that co-workers and the community have. PCVs
should look for a peer in the community from whom they can take a lead. For TEL
Project PCVs it might be a colleague schoolteacher. For Peace Corps Response
Volunteers it might be local community leaders or officials, a local NGO or
government extension agent.
Few, if any professional men and women wear shorts anywhere but in the comfort
of their homes. They do not wear shorts to attend any event associated with work
or official travel. We ask that PCVs refrain from wearing shorts in anything but an
informal social setting.
Colombians for the most part take great pride in the way that they and their family
members dress. Even the most humble families will make every effort to have
clean clothes that are in good repair. PCVs should make no less of an effort. If
during a site visit or during a visit to the PC office in Barranquilla the appearance of
the PCV does not seem to be appropriate, staff and other PCVs will point this out.
Mens hair should not be long. It should always be neat and well combed. Clothes
for office work are generally more along the lines of sports shirts and slacks rather
than blue jeans and work shirts. Earrings are not culturally appropriate when worn
by men. Again, take the cue from your co-workers. In the emergency zone
activities or in the future when PCVs in Colombia may be working in the campo,
whether you are a male or a female Volunteer doing extension type work, chances
are that once people get to know you, formal dress becomes less important. But
remember to be clean and neat and keep your clothes in good repair. The
following list summarizes what is professional dress and provides
recommendations on what to avoid wearing:
Females
Blouses with collars or polo shirts
shirts
Skirts or dresses
Long pants in good condition (jeans, khaki,
(jeans, khaki, etc.)
Mid-calf and below-the-knee capri pants
socks
Bras
Sneakers or closed-toe shoes with socks
Males
Short sleeve or long sleeve dress
Shirts with collars or polo shirts
etc.)
Long pants in good condition
Sneakers
or
close-toe
shoes
with
Dont Wear
Shorts of any length
T-shirts with political, humorous or loud designs or messages
Sleeveless or low-cut-shirts or tank tops
Spaghetti strap tops (females)
Mini-skirts (females)
Torn or ragged clothing
Flip-flops
Earrings (males) at any time or any place; (females) no more than two in each ear
Other visible body piercing (including nose and tongue piercing) or tattoos
Hair length below the bottom of the ear, ponytails, or long untrimmed beards
(males)
Camouflage equipment/clothing
The Peace Corps office and Peace Corps workshops held outside the office are
professional workplaces and should be treated as such. Volunteers visiting the
office or attending workshops are not permitted to wear shorts, flip-flops or
garments that are considered revealing such as spaghetti strapped tops or middrifts. Body piercings should be covered and, to the extent possible, tattoos as
well. Women are expected to wear bras. Volunteers who do not meet these
standards will be requested to change.
7. Planning Your Visit to the Office
Trainees/Volunteers are always welcome at the Peace Corps office. Family and
friends are also welcome during official business hours. We have a
Library/Resource Center, a Volunteer work area and computers for your use.
Peace Corps staff have flexible work schedules. Many travel a great deal and all
have a lot to do to support your work. Therefore, we recommend that if you need
to speak to specific staff persons, you call ahead of time to make sure they are
available to meet and answer your questions.
Additionally, Programming and Training staff have set up official office hours to
ensure that they can meet with Volunteers during their high travel times. While
staff is available at all times, due to travel schedules, it is during these hours that
they will be at their desks and in the office. Furthermore, keep in mind that staff
meetings occur on Mondays (or Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday) from 9:00-11:00.
P&T office hours are as follows:
PM and both PTS: Monday 1:30-5:00 PM
HFC: Friday 1:30-5:00 PM
TM- Anytime
DPT-Anytime
8. Telephone Policy
Local phone calls can be made from the Peace Corps office. For in-country long
distance phone calls, you need to ask for clearance in advance from the
receptionist. Personal, cellular or home phone numbers of staff and
Trainees/Volunteers will not be given out to strangers.
9. Office Attire
Trainees/Volunteers should always dress appropriately when visiting the office. We
reserve the right to refuse admission if you are not professionally dressed during
core office hours (8:00-5:00). (See details above in last paragraph of 6. Personal
Appearance.)
10.
Fraternization
with this information, which is reviewed by staff prior to any assignment. Agency
officials also request PCVs for specific sites, and schools have made direct requests
through the PM and through formal communication to the CD.
Once a potential site has been identified for TEL project Volunteers, a visit with the
schools director and coordinators is set up. The second visit entails visiting with
English teachers and completing a survey of the school, and a third visit to finalize
the plans for Volunteer placement. The PCMO and SSC are also consulted about
health and safety and security issues that exist or may arise. At the same time, the
Host Family Coordinator is identifying potential host families and selecting the host
family for the site.
This process takes about six months with sites prepared and identified by the
PM/PTS team prior to the arrival of PCTs for training. These sites are evaluated by
the programming team, which consists of the DPT, PM. PCMO, SSC and the CD.
Final approval is required from the Country Director. The process of assigning PCVs
to sites will take into consideration the PCV's/PCTs knowledge and skills,
demonstrated abilities, and preferences (as expressed in training interviews and
surveys). The PCVs/PCT's strengths and potential for effectiveness are then
compared to the needs and conditions of the sites in the project, and a final
assignment is made.
3. Policy On Site and Assignment Changes Within Colombia
PCVs are expected to serve their entire two years in the same assignment, and
approval for a site change will only be granted for very special circumstances.
Peace Corps/Colombia staff make every effort to ensure that the site selected will
be the best possible fit for you and your assigned community, and the commitment
made to the community is one we must honor.
However, PC/CO recognizes that site changes may, on occasion, be necessary, and
even desirable. Because PC/CO has a responsibility to the agencies and schools
with which we work and to which we have made serious commitments, site
changes are not automatic. Requests for site changes are considered on a case-bycase basis and take into account the best interests of the PCV, community where
the PCVs serves, HCA and PCs goals.
The following three examples illustrate criteria that must be satisfied in order for
an in-country transfer to be approved. If the criteria cannot be met, and if no other
solutions are found to eliminate the need for a transfer, then the only alternative
may be the termination of a PCV's service:
The job to which the PCV was assigned either ceases to exist or becomes
modified to such an extreme degree that it can no longer be performed by the
PCV. Criteria for transfer: such cases should be clearly beyond the control
of the PCV. If this is true, suitable alternate schools will be sought.
The job and/or site to which the PCV is assigned have become unsatisfactory
due to any combination of technical support or personal factors. Criteria for
transfer: since these cases lie more within the control of PC and the PCV,
a transfer will be sought only if the staff and the PCV have exhausted all
attempts to resolve the problem, and both are convinced that a change in job
and/or site will in fact be productive.
Criteria for transfer: The security situation of the site has changed, and it is
believed that the PCV may be at risk if he/she remains in the site.
4. In-Service Training
It is PC/COs goal that every PCV reach his/her maximum potential as rapidly as
possible. As a result, while Peace Corps/Colombia provides a series of ISTs
throughout your service, many key IST activities are planned during your first year
of service. As you plan your annual calendar and vacation time, please take the
timing of the ISTs below into account.
The following are policies and procedures to help implement the IST program:
Eligibility: All PCVs will receive language training during their first
IST/Reconnect. Technical ISTs may be scheduled at other times, according to the
Project.
Attendance: Participation in ISTs is mandatory. Per-diem will not be paid for any
day in which a PCV does not participate in all scheduled sessions.
Schedule: All PCVs will be notified of the IST schedule currently in effect. You
may also check with the DPT or your PM if you have any questions.
Trainers: The Training Manger will be responsible for the reconnect IST while the
PM and PTS will be responsible for the delivery of the technical ISTs. Location for
each event will be determined prior to each event.
Per Diem: Depending on what PC covers for each event, per diem will be
provided. If PC does not provide food, or only provides one meal, per diem will
be adjusted accordingly.
a. Reconnect IST (after about three months in site)
Reconnect IST provides PCVs an opportunity to brush up on their language and
technical skills. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to reunite with your peers
and share your initial experiences. There also will be sessions with the PCMO, SSC,
DPT and CD. Ideally, every PCV should reach an Advanced Spanish level and better
at the Language Proficiency Interview by the end of the first year of PC service.
Reconnect IST helps to achieve this goal. This training will be scheduled and
supervised by our Training Manager and commonly combines language with
sessions on programming, safety & security, technical and medical issues.
Reconnect IST is offered although PCVs with special language needs may request a
separate IST for Spanish with prior permission from the DPT and clearance from
the DMO to ensure availability of funds. This workshop for TEL Project Volunteers
generally takes place in March of each year.
b. Language Tutoring In-Site
Approval for payment of language tutoring in-site may be granted (provided there
are available funds) by the PCV's TM after completion of Pre-Service Training.
Please consult with your TM before scheduling language tutoring. In-site language
tutoring will not normally be approved after one-year of service for Spanish study
for those who have reached the Intermediate High level in Spanish. Also, payment
is not granted for formal language classes, but only for informal, one-on-one
tutoring.
c. Technical ISTs
The TEL project has one technical IST that focuses on technical aspects of the
project during a PCVs first year of service. Second-year PCVs often help to plan
and manage technical ISTs, or give presentations.
It is PC/COs philosophy to include counterparts in PC-sponsored training events
whenever possible. In this manner, counterparts receive the direct benefit of the
training program. Additionally, the joint attendance in IST event of a PCV and
his/her counterpart helps to promote a team approach to development and
strengthens the relationship between the PCV and his/her counterpart. These
workshops take place in late August/early September of each year.
d. HIV/AIDS Workshop
The goal of this workshop is to bring together Volunteers and counterparts to train
them on HIV/AIDS awareness as well as how to conduct HIV/AIDS awareness
workshops in their schools and communities. Counterparts are not necessarily your
work partners but could be a health teacher, school psychologist or community
leader. The Volunteer and school will work together to choose the best counterpart.
This workshop is led by P&T staff as well as the medical assistant. The workshop
also will include leaders from local NGOs as well as second year Volunteers. This is
a sub-regional workshop, meaning that one takes place in each of the Santa Marta,
Cartagena and Barranquilla sub-regions. The workshops generally take place in
May of each year.
e. Project Management & Leadership Workshop (PML) Project Design &
Management (PDM)
Each PCV will bring a community partner, a leader or a potential leader, to the
PML/PDM training. Volunteer and partner will have the opportunity to experience
the value of organization, group dynamics and teamwork, the importance of
direction, leadership and accountability, and the process of designing and
obtaining support for, and then implementing and managing priority community
activities. This workshop will generally take place in June or July of each year.
f. Mid-Service IST
This training will be scheduled and supervised by the Training Manager and
commonly combines a couple of hours on language classes, with sessions on
programming, technical and medical issues. Mid-Service IST is normally offered at
the end of the first year of service. This IST may be combined with the annual All
Volunteer Conference (AVC). The workshop takes place late November/Early
December of each year.
g. All Volunteer Conference (AVC)
PC/CO makes every effort to secure resources for an Annual All Volunteer
Conference. The event enables PCVs in the field to exchange experiences and
share best practices with recently sworn-in Volunteers, staff and partner
colleagues. If the event takes place, it will happen around the Thanksgiving Day
holiday. This event will also combine the 11th week of PST and Mid-Service IST.
h. Completion of Service (COS) Conference
The COS conference occurs about three months before the groups COS date (late
August/early September of each year for TEL Project Volunteers). The goals of the
COS conference are to assist the Volunteer in transitioning from Volunteer life to
post Volunteer life. This will include sessions on the administrative, programmatic
and personal steps to be taken in closing out the Volunteers service. Additionally,
time is spent in transitioning the Volunteer from Peace Corps Service into
readjusting to life in the US, including career advice, resume preparation and other
subjects.
5. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation system
a. Planning & Reporting System
The basic purposes of the PC/COs planning and reporting system are:
To assist the Volunteer in his/her work by providing a structure for regular job
performance analysis and planning, and enable Peace Corps staff to better
support Volunteers in their work.
Data from Volunteer reports is compiled and a final annual report is distributed to
Peace Corps headquarters and later, to Congress as part of an agency-wide report.
National and regional HCA counterparts receive annual, quarterly, or monthly
reports, depending on the needs of the agency. Your submissions are crucial to
increase communication and coordination with HCAs. Furthermore, with the receipt
of your progress reports, your APCD will better understand the status of your work
and be better informed concerning your needs and the successes and challenges
you are encountering.
The planning/reporting system is for your benefit, the benefit of Peace Corps, and
the benefit of Colombia. Reporting on Volunteers work keeps us accountable to our
partners, to Congress and to ourselves. The more information we have about the
work you are doing in the field, the better we are able to support your efforts and
align our project goals and objectives to meet the needs of Colombia. It also helps
us educate our stakeholders and promote the value of our work here in Colombia.
b. PC/CO Volunteer Reporting Tool (VRT) and Periodic Reports
As mentioned above, the quarterly completion of work plans by all PCVs are
mandatory and critically useful.
PC/Colombia has developed a project plan according to PC wide programming
guidelines. This plan, in addition to facilitating the definition of project goals and
objectives, provides an excellent mechanism for measuring progress and
accomplishments. PCVs find that the project plan provides them with a sense of
where they fit into the overall PC/Colombia program. The Volunteer Reporting Tool
(VRT) is then the mechanism PCVs use to plan their activities and is the monitoring
tool to measure their progress. At the same time, the VRT serves as a vehicle to
provide feedback to the PM on the accomplishments towards meeting the overall
project goals and objectives.
For this reason, PCV work plans are extremely important. Work plans allow PC to
measure progress in terms of project goals. The work plan development and review
process also provides PCVs and their PM with the opportunity to evaluate PCV
activities and discuss plans for the future. Work plans are also invaluable for
ensuring that PCV activities are coordinated with Host Country Agencies and that
the activities are related to PC and Agency goals.
Work plans provide PCVs with the added advantage of structuring their work by
performing regular job analysis and planning (something which is easily put-off, or
forgotten, in the daily routine of things). Work plans also enhance communication
among PCVs, PC staff and HCA officials. While reports cannot replace site visits and
meetings, they do provide a comprehensive basis for discussion. Finally, work
plans provide PC with data concerning PCVs accomplishments which are useful for
the preparation of annual reports that are presented to HCA, PC/Washington, the
United States Congress, and funding institutions.
The work plan should cover anticipated work in the ensuing four months and the
progress report should include activities of the past four months. If the PCV
wishes to elaborate, he/she should feel free to attach additional, narrative
statements. To the extent possible, the PCV should work with his/her contact in
formulating the work plan and in evaluating progress. Please note the space on the
form for the comments of the contact and PM. Each person should suggest
changes or helpful ideas in the space on the form and should sign the report after
seeing the plan and recommending changes or suggestions. All VRTs should be
prepared in Spanish. Work plans must include the signature of the PCV's contact.
An unsigned work plan will be returned by the PM so that the contact may sign it.
In order to provide timely and useful feedback to your Volunteer Reports, it is the
policy of PC/Colombia that all members of the project management team (the two
Program and Training Specialists and Project Manager) divide the responsibility of
providing written or verbal feedback to Volunteers. On a quarterly basis,
responsibility will shift so that each member of the project management team will
have an opportunity to provide feedback to each Volunteer over the course of the
year. It is the expectation that the feedback will be delivered no later than 30 days
after the last Volunteer Report is received.
Overall feedback to Volunteers is not limited to written feedback to your VRT.
Feedback may take place in the form of site visits, formal and informal meetings,
emails and phone calls at any time during your service.
Both in format and purpose, the work plan/progress report may differ markedly
from reports utilized by partner agencies, which some PCVs may also be expected
to prepare. Both reports are designed to help the PCVs be more effective in their
work.
6. Staf Visits
Volunteers receive site visits from various staff, including the APCD/PM, PTS, CD,
DPT, SSC, HFC, PCMO, as well as from other Volunteers, throughout their service.
Your PM or PTS will first visit you during the initial 4 months of service to assist you
and the staff in assessing how you are doing. They will address your community
assessment results, your work plan and your overall cultural and emotional
adaptation, and will allow time for visiting with counterparts and other members of
the community. Upon completion of a site visit, both you and the PM or PTS will
assess your progress to date and the usefulness of the visit itself. While the PM or
PTS will routinely plan future site visits, do not hesitate to request and coordinate
an appropriate time for a special site visit when the need arises.
7. Extensions
As you near the end of your service you may think about extending. If so, keep in
mind the following.
a. Project Related Extensions
Talk with your PM about your desire to extend your Peace Corps service. Your
interest may be in a special program support position or to complete a specific
project in your site or to do something specific that has yet to be proposed. In
those cases, submit a letter of interest to your PM including a description of what
you propose and a work plan, how it would benefit the program, the results you
expect to see at the end of the extension, and the dates you would like to extend.
You must have the approval of both your PM and the CD for an extension.
If you are asking to stay in your site, please include a letter from a host country
partner supporting the work and identifying the benefits to the host country
partners agency and/or community. Submit the request for an extension at least 4
months prior to your COS date. An interview will be required with the PM and/or
Country Director prior to approval.
b. Volunteer Leader Extensions (For 3rd Year PCVs)
Peace Corps Volunteer Leaders will be an important component of Peace
Corps/Colombias support system for Volunteers when the PC/CO program grows.
One Volunteer Leader will be placed in each sub-region, currently the sub-regions
of Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla. This is generally a third year
Volunteer, but on exceptional cases we may consider a Volunteer in the second
year of their service. PC Colombia will formally announce the position in August of
every year. If interested, you should send a letter of interest with a resume.
Interviews will take place with the PM, PTS and DPT, and final decisions will require
the concurrence of the CD. Selections of PCV Leaders will be announced at the
COS conference.
The letter of interest must include your:
Motivation for the job
Specific skills you offer
Highlights of your PC service
You will be asked to include a reference letter from a host country partner, as
appropriate, supporting your work as a Volunteer Leader. An interview will be
required with the Country Director and DPT prior to approval.
Project related and Volunteer Leader extensions are approved based on the
following:
Motivation in seeking the extension
Previous conduct of the PCV
The quality of the PCVs service to date
Degree to which the host country officials support the extension
PM approval
DMO approval of funding for the extension
CD approval of extension
Medical clearance from the PCMO
Regional approval from PC/Washington for extensions over one year
c. Medical Clearance & Special Leave
For extensions more than six months in length, the Volunteer must be medically
cleared for the extension.
For approved extensions of 12 months, the Volunteer is entitled to a one month
special leave paid for by PC. This month of special leave is in addition to the 12
months of service, bringing the total extension period to 13 months. These special
extensions are reserved for Volunteer Leaders and Volunteers who have had an
outstanding service and will be working on specific projects to the benefit of
PC/Colombia and our partners. In order to have final approval, there have to be
available budget resources as well as medical clearance. If approved, it is strongly
encouraged that special leave be scheduled at the conclusion of the two years. If
special leave cannot be taken at the conclusion of the two years, it should be taken
during the first three months of the extended period. Exceptions must be
approved by the Country Director and have the concurrence of the host country
counterpart/official.
Due to the time it takes to process extensions in the administrative system, all
extensions must be requested no later than four months prior to a Volunteers COS
date. As pointed out in PC Manual Section 281 In unusual situations an extension
request made during the last two months of a Volunteer's service may be
considered for approval by the Country Director. However, please note unusual
situations and may be considered.
With regard to the Readjustment Allowance, Volunteers extending less than 12
months may not receive a one-third check at the time of extension. Volunteers
extending for 12 months or more are entitled to a one-third readjustment
allowance check at the time of their original COS date.
Finally, PCVs that extend for a full year and take Special Leave are required to
complete the 13 months of service in order to COS. Volunteers who fail to fulfill
that commitment forfeit their right to special leave and, if they have already taken
special leave, may be required to refund certain amounts to the Peace Corps. If
they do not take special leave, they may be eligible for COS before they complete
the full year.
8. Termination of PCV Service
a. Completion of Service (COS)
PC schedules a mandatory group Completion of Service (COS) Workshop
approximately 3 months before a groups COS date to discuss personal preparation
for returning to the U.S. (e.g., administrative issues, reverse culture shock,
resumes, interviewing, getting a job, etc.), to assess support received during PC
service, and to provide recommendations as to how PC/CO could improve the
development and management of the country program. Information, instruction
and forms for regular Completion of Service (COS) will be provided at the COS
workshop. Finally, please refer to the loans section in this handbook for important
information regarding management of your student loans upon COS.
Language Proficiency Interview (LPI): Language proficiency interviews are optional
at a PCVs completion of service. For PCVs considering future international
employment or academic career, a high LPI rating can be an excellent addition to a
resume.
b. Early COS
According to the PC Manual (MS 281 2.1), Each PC Volunteer is expected to honor
fully his/her commitment to serve the people of the host country to the best of
his/her ability for the period of time usually two years specified by the PC. If
the CD, with the concurrence of host country officials and the PM, determines that
an individual PCVs request is justifiable, that he/she will complete primary and
secondary assignments before the established COS date, and that there is no other
assignment which the PCV could perform in the period remaining before the COS
date, the CD may advance the PCV's COS date up to 30 days before the official
COS date. In order to advance the COS date by more than 30 days, approval must
be requested from the Regional Director at Peace Corps Headquarters.
c. Early Termination (ET)
Service in the Peace Corps is voluntary, but once the commitment to serve is
made, expectations are created on the part of the Peace Corps and Colombia. By
accepting enrollment, Volunteers commit themselves to serve the people of
Colombia to the best of their ability for two years within the framework established
by the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps, for its part, commits itself to select those
Volunteers who have the capacity and motivation for effective service, to train
them properly, to place them where their abilities and skills can be utilized, and to
support their activities to the extent feasible.
Nevertheless, there are circumstances under which it becomes apparent that in
the interest of the Peace Corps, the host country, or an individual Trainee or
Volunteer, the Trainee or Volunteer cannot or should not remain in service until his
or her completion of service. These circumstances may include, but are not limited
to the following: an inability to adjust culturally, inadequate job performance,
unacceptable personal conduct, the inability to resolve a serious personal problem
in country, or a medical problem. Should you be the one to have cause to consider
Early Termination, you should contact your PM or other appropriate staff member
at the earliest opportunity to help resolve the issues that are leading you to
consider termination. Problems which PCVs do not discuss with anyone for a long
period of time tend to inflate to the bursting point. Good discussion and airing of
the problem could help bring the situation into perspective.
Early Termination (ET) is defined as any event that results in the termination of a
PCVs/PCTs service prior to the completion of service date. There are four types of
Early Terminations:
Resignation: a decision by a PCV/PCT to end PC service, regardless of the
reasons, before the completion of service date.
Because the regulations and procedures concerning each type of Early Termination
are complex and different for each type of termination, they are explained in some
detail below:
Resignation
A resignation is a decision by a Trainee or Volunteer to terminate Peace Corps
service, regardless of the reasons, before the completion of service date. There are
many reasons why Volunteers decide to end their service. Whenever possible,
PC/CO will work with the Volunteer to see if there is anything Peace Corps can do to
help him/her overcome whatever obstacles are in the way of having a satisfying
and productive service. If a Volunteer does not communicate to staff that he/she
feels frustrated or burnt out or worried about someone back home, the staff will
not able to provide support to that Volunteer.
Before a Volunteer makes a decision to resign, it is PC/COs sincere hope that
he/she has spoken to members of the staff so that the staff may support the
Volunteer in the best way possible to help make a final decision. Talking to another
Volunteer, while important, is not always enough. If a staff member is not aware of
the Volunteers struggles, it is almost impossible for staff to be of help. PC/CO staff
has experience in helping Volunteers negotiate some of the ups and downs that
come with service, and will explore with the Volunteer a variety of options, one of
which is resignation. Our motive is to help the Volunteer make an informed
decision, no matter what that decision is.
Detailed below are some of the common myths that exist around the topic of
resignation, and PC/COs clarifications.
Myths about When and How to Resign:
Myth: It is shameful to harbor thoughts about resigning. Staff will have a lower
opinion about me if they find out.
That is false. It is normal to have doubts during your service. If your doubts grow
stronger, you need to talk them over with a staff member. If you keep these doubts
to yourself or wait until you cannot take it any longer, there is little we can do to
help you. Our goal is to support each Volunteer as his/her service evolves, even if
this involves an ET. We respect a Volunteers decision to ET.
Myth: If I ET I will make Peace Corps/Colombia look bad.
In the end Peace Corps service is a personal commitment and experience. As a
team, we at PC/CO seek to understand the reasons a Volunteer resigns so that we
can identify and correct any weaknesses in our support systems, should those
have contributed to the Volunteers resignation. We all take Volunteers reasons for
resigning very seriously and explore with other staff members how to improve PST
or site development or Volunteer support based on relevant feedback.
Myth: Peace Corps/Colombia will do almost anything so that you will not resign.
As stated, this is not entirely true. On the one hand, the Volunteer who is up front
about his/her misgivings or trials is more likely to get support that can turn around
his/her attitude about his/her service. We can provide counseling, facilitate a visit
with another Volunteer, grant a few days of leave, do an impromptu site visit to
help resolve a problem and provide follow up support. On the other hand, we as
staff might give you the encouragement you need to resign. This might surprise
some Volunteers but there are cases when a staff person recognizes and agrees
that the best decision for you (and perhaps for the community or partner
organization) is the decision you have taken to resign.
Myth: If I decide to ET, I only have 72 hours to leave the country.
This is untrue. You can inform a staff member of your plan to resign as early as you
like and they will work with you so that you have the smoothest possible exit. By
advising the PM or other staff, we have time to discuss with the Volunteer ways to
tie up loose ends, inform co-workers and community members, and make sure
matters are left in order, especially when it is decided that there should be a
follow-on PCV assigned to the site.
Myth: There is no right way to ET.
False. A Volunteer should strive to end his or her service with as much care as he
or she began it. Concretely this means that the Volunteer should advise his or her
host family, cancel all debts, pack and transport all personal belongings, personally
inform counterparts and key community members and bring as much closure to
matters underway as possible. It is important that the Volunteer show respect to
community, family, friends and colleagues by saying proper good-byes and
expressing appreciation for their support.
Skipping town without the proper good-byes, without informing counterparts and
co-workers, and with projects and personal belongings in disarray is not the way to
leave. It is unfair to the community, to colleagues and counterparts, and to Peace
Corps and the people who have to pick up after the Volunteer leaves.
In short, we as a team want to do all we can to make a Volunteers service fruitful
and enriching. As Volunteers hit bumps in the road that threaten their
commitment, we want to be there to support them. If the Volunteer decides, after
conferring with others and exploring options, that he or she needs to resign, we will
work with him or her to have the smoothest transition possible. Volunteers who
resign are responsible for completing the same documentation as COS-ing
Volunteers (see following manual section).
Medical Separation
If a PCV/PCT has a medical problem so serious as to raise questions about
continued service, then a medical separation or evacuation will be effected. If the
PCV/PCT is determined to have a reasonable chance to recuperate and return to
service he/she will likely be medically evacuated; otherwise the PCV or PCT will be
medically separated. If the PCV or PCT is evacuated, the PC Office of Medical
Services will evaluate as soon as possible, and within 45 days after the PCV/PCTs
arrival in the United States, the PCV/PCTs medical fitness for further service. If
during this 45 day period Medical Services determines that the PCV/PCT is
medically unfit for further service, he or she will be medically separated. If the
PCV/PCT is cleared for further service, but not for return to the original country of
service, he/she will be referred to the Desk Unit from the country of original service
for a period of administrative hold while transfer opportunities are explored. If a
suitable assignment cannot be located the individual's service may be nondisciplinarily discontinued. Finally, a Volunteer may be medically separated while in
country if it is determined by both the PCMO and PC Office of Medical Services that
their medical condition cannot be resolved in a timely manner.
Administrative Separation
Below are among the most serious offences that are grounds for the CD to
administratively separate a PCV/PCT:
Failure to meet either the Trainee selection standards or standards of
suitability, or the selection or suitability standards developed for a particular
program or country.
Supported allegations of use of illegal drugs.
Leaving Colombia for any reason without previous authorization from Peace
Corps.
Riding on a motorcycle (or any other two-wheel motorized vehicle) either as
a driver, or as a passenger, except for extenuating circumstances (such as
evacuation at risk of life or limb).
Arrest and/or conviction for any criminal offense under State, Federal, or host
country law, while serving as a PCV/PCT.
Violation of any policy set forth in the PC Manual, the PC Handbook, or any
other policy manual for PCV/PCT, whether PC-wide or developed for a
particular program.
Any conduct which presents a reasonable possibility of risk or injury, or
physical harm to the PCV/PCT or others or, in the judgment of the CD,
presents a reasonable possibility of loss or destruction of property.
Information revealed as a result of a National Agency Check, full field
investigation, or other source indicating either that the individual is unsuited
for PC service by reason of conduct prior to PC enrollment or would present a
risk to the national security of the United States if allowed to continue PC
service.
Unauthorized absences from work, training, and/or other assigned duties
when the individuals whereabouts are known and confirmed (when the
whereabouts of a PCV/PCT are unknown, the case is treated as a
disappearance which may also result in separation).
Unsatisfactory work performance, including but not limited to, failure or
refusal to perform a PCV/PCT assignment.
Active involvement with any (U.S., host country, or other nations)
intelligence gathering or counter-intelligence efforts including drug
enforcement or control programs other than an interview by U.S. or host
country officials about a specific incident.
Failure to take required immunizations or prophylaxes. The Peace Corps
Medical Officer should consult with VS/MS on all cases of refusal to take
required vaccinations or medical prophylaxis prior to recommending
administrative separation to the Country Director.
Providing misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete information during the PC
application process.
Interrupted Service
The CD may discontinue the service of a PCV/PCT, as a non-disciplinary action,
based upon a determination that one of the following circumstances exists:
Lack of a viable assignment in Colombia for which the PCV/PCT is qualified.
Inability to meet technical or language requirements.
Circumstances in Colombia or at the PCVs/PCTs assigned site which make it
reasonably certain that the PCVs/PCTs safety is, or may be, endangered.
Circumstances which may affect the effectiveness of the individual PCV/PCT
or the credibility or effectiveness of the PC program.
Removal from Colombia is requested by the Colombian Government or other
cooperating agency to which the PCV/PCT is assigned for reasons which
would not be grounds for Administrative Separation.
Termination of the PCVs/PCTs spouse.
The CD shall, upon making a determination that a non-disciplinary discontinuance
of service is warranted, initiate a transfer request in coordination with
PC/Washington in order to locate another assignment for the PCV/PCT. If another
assignment is not available, the PCVs/PCTs service may be discontinued.
9. Protect Act Guidance
Inappropriate sexual behavior by PCVs/PCTs is addressed in the PC Manual section
on Volunteer conduct, MS 204. Staff, PCVs/PCTs should also be aware that the
Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today
Act (Protect Act) authorizes prosecution of Americans who sexually abuse minors
abroad. A minor is defined as a person under the age of 18. Even if the age of
consent in the host country is lower than 18, it is the legal age of consent set out
in the Protect Act that controls. Staff and PCVs/PCTs are strictly prohibited from
having sexual contact with any person less than 18 years old. Sexual contact is
not limited to intercourse.
Violation of the Protect Act is a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. In
addition, it is PC policy that dating or having contact of a sexual nature with
anyone under the age of 18 will be cause for termination or Administrative
Separation. Anyone in PC, regardless of nationality, should immediately report to
the Office of Inspector General if they have reason to believe an American in PC
has had sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18.
10. Marriage
a. Marriage between a Volunteer or Trainee and a Non-Volunteer or NonTrainee U.S. Citizen
A PCV/PCT who wishes to marry and continue service as a PCV must, in advance
of the proposed marriage, consult with the CD and receive written
authorization to do so and remain a PCV/PCT. The CD will not authorize that a
PCV/PCT marry until the country Name Check and National Agency Checks have
been completed. This process can take up to 120 days. A PCV/PCT who marries
without written determination by the CD that he/she may continue in service after
the marriage may be administratively separated.
This procedure is neither an attempt on the Peace Corps part to interfere with the
PCVs/PCT's right to marry, nor to pass judgment on the choice of spouse. Rather,
the CDs concern is whether the PCV/PCT will be able to serve effectively once
married. Therefore, the CDs decision is a "clearance to continue PC service,
rather than an "approval" of the marriage.
Because PC is not authorized to provide support of any kind, including allowances,
health care (except for pregnancy), or transportation to a non-PCV/PCT spouse, or
to increase a PCVs/PCT's allowance for this purpose, the CD must be satisfied that
the PCV/PCT will be able to support a dependent. At the same time, it must be
clearly understood that once married, the PCV/PCT and spouse must live at the
same economic level as other PCVs/PCTs.
PCVs/PCTs should seek guidance on the effects of a marriage to a foreign citizen on
his/her legal status, citizenship and property rights. PCVs/PCTs are also encouraged
to visit a counselor, with the prospective spouse and at PCs expense, to explore
the issue of marriage and to assure that they have asked themselves the hard
questions. PCVs/PCTs who have done so have reported that it was a beneficial
experience and recommend that others do so.
As stated in MS 205, the CD must request that a National Agency Check be done
on a prospective spouse who is a non-US citizen, or who is a non-PCV US citizen
(unless that person is an RPCV or PCT who left PC within the last year, or has a
current security clearance granted by an entity of the U.S. Government). The check
must be requested at least 120 days prior to the intended date of marriage.
However, the marriage may not take place (and the PCV/PCT continue in service)
until the checks are completed.
If a PCV/PCT wishes to marry a non-U.S citizen, the CD must also request that the
U.S. Embassy conduct a Country Name Check (CNC) and submit the results to the
CD for his evaluation before clearance is granted for continued service.
Whether the marriage would prevent or diminish the ability of the Volunteer
or Trainee to serve effectively;
Each PCV may retain his or her original completion of service date as long as
the date of one Volunteer does not interfere with the effective service of the
other; or
The PCV may "split the difference" of their remaining time, if they are
authorized to do so by the CD. To "split the difference" means reducing one
Volunteer's service time and extending the other's so that both PCVs have
the same completion of service date. This option may be authorized by the
CD if the proposed extension of time for one PCV is consistent with the
criteria for extensions of service in MS 281 (Completion of Service Date
Advancement and Extension of Service), and the reduction in service time for
the other Volunteer in no way jeopardizes Peace Corps' ability to fulfill its
commitment to the host country's Peace Corps project.
11.
Volunteer Pregnancy
A PCV/PCT who suspects she is pregnant must report this to the Medical Officer
immediately. The Office of Medical Services of PC/Washington has determined in all
cases to date, that PCVs/PCTs in Colombia may not give birth in-country. PCVs/PCTs
for whom this determination has been made, must be medically evacuated
(medevaced) before the 12th week of pregnancy, and medically terminated.
12.
Volunteer Paternity
According to Manual Section 204.3, a PCV who fathers a child by a woman to whom
he is not married may be administratively separated if the CD determines that the
PCV's action has impaired his ability to perform in his assignment or the credibility
of the PC program, or has violated host country law or custom. Regardless of any
disciplinary action taken by the CD, the PCV, prior to his departure from the host
country, should be encouraged to fulfill, or arrange to have fulfilled, his
responsibilities for providing support to the mother and child. To that end, he must
provide the CD with a written statement describing his plans for meeting these
responsibilities.
13.
a. Alcohol
The use of alcohol is common in Colombia, especially at social and family events,
and among PCVs/PCTs when they gather in central locations or at special events.
We understand that alcohol is often an integral part of these activities, and that
you may face significant pressure to drink. However, excessive drinking may affect
your health, your work performance, and the image you project. Furthermore, as
you are working in schools, it can affect your reputation and ability to serve as a
role model for the students. It may also affect your safety, contributing to your
getting into high-risk situations or being unable to deal with them if they occur.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you limit your alcohol consumption, in
public as well as in private, in your communities, in Barranquilla, Santa Marta and
Cartagena, and at organized events.
If you feel that you could have a problem with alcohol, we encourage you to seek
advice from the Medical Office, which can provide confidential support and
guidance. Additional resources could include your Program Manger, PTS, PCMO or
any other PC staff and, of course, your friends. We also encourage you to provide
support to other PCVs/PCTs who are at risk of excessive alcohol use. If your
consumption of alcohol begins to affect your health, work performance, or ability to
project a positive image of PC, you may be subject to administrative or medical
separation.
PCVs/PCTs are encouraged to avoid situations in which Colombians are drinking
heavily (such as at fiestas, estaderos, bares, licoreras y cantinas), since these
often generate arguments that lead to violence.
PCVs/PCTs should be aware of the fact that the legal age for drinking in Colombia is
18 years of age; therefore, it is prohibited to sell alcohol to minors, or to provide
alcohol to minors in public places. PC/Colombia asks that you remember the power
you have as a role model, and that you demonstrate respect for the law by not
encouraging minors to drink. Finally, alcohol may not be consumed at the PC Office
or at the training center.
b. Drugs
The PC Manual states that: "A PCT or PCV found to be involved with drugs,
including marijuana, in any way, will be terminated immediately and
encouraged to return to PC/W for consultation. The PC enforces this strict policy
not only because the cultivation, manufacture, traffic, and use of drugs, including
marijuana, is illegal in most countries, but also because the consequences of drug
involvement by PCVs/PCTs in any country could seriously jeopardize the entire PC
program." This is especially the case in Colombia, a country that has seen more
than its share of violence fueled by the drug trade.
Because of the potentially serious social, political, and legal impact of such
incidents, every case of PCV/PCT drug involvement is brought to the personal
attention of the PC Director.
The primary purpose of the policy is not to punish the drug user. Rather, it is to
protect the PC from the damaging impact that allegations of drug use among
PCVs/PCTs could have on our programs, both by alienating host governments and
the local citizenry, and by presenting a negative image of PCVs/PCTs to Congress
and the American people. Thus, enforcement of the regulations must be looked
upon as a deterrent and as a means of removing PCVs/PCTs who have endangered,
or may in the future endanger, PC/host country relations or the PC image because
of their use of marijuana or hard drugs.
Due to the magnitude of the potential for harm to our programs, regulations
require the mandatory termination from PC for PCTs/PCVs found to be
involved with marijuana or drugs in any way. The policy is deliberately broad
in its application. Involvement could consist of sale, use, possession, or cultivation.
Mere suspicion of drug use, including marijuana, could also be grounds for
Administrative Separation.
As mentioned above, in Colombia drug issue is particularly sensitive. Mutual efforts
between the U.S. and the Government of Colombia are on-going to avoid the
smuggling of marijuana, cocaine and heroin into the U.S. Accusations of
involvement with drugs in Colombia could result in years of imprisonment with no
trial. Therefore, immediate Administrative Separation is taken, in part, for the
PCVs/PCTs own protection.
14.
Political Activity
One of the chief reasons for PC success is the fact that it attracts people who are
interested in public affairs and who want to do something about the things they
think need improving. Political activity is often an effective response to these
challenges. However, it has always been and will continue to be a guiding premise
that PC is strictly non-political. This means as an organization and as individuals,
During the process of doing community development, the need may arise to seek
funding for projects that were generated by that process. PCVs should first
encourage and assist their communities, schools and groups to raise the money
themselves locally. Looking for support within a community, from a local
community/regional NGO, or governmental sources is another option. Only after
the process of working to raise funds locally should communities and PCVs look to
outside funding sources.
There are many factors that you should consider before becoming involved in
pursing outside funding. Depending on your site and working situation, you may be
quickly approached, or even pressured, to assist the school or community in
securing funds for a school or another project. The needs may be visible and vast;
often a small input of financial aid could make the difference between the success
or failure of a project.
Such monetary assistance can have debilitating effects, on both the PCV and the
community. Fund procurement may appear to be the easiest route to credibility
and a sense of usefulness for the beginning PCV, but s/he may later wonder --with
cause -- whether s/he has any credibility beyond that as a conduit for outside
material help. The community, in turn, may begin to view external assistance as
the only means of completing a successful project. This prevailing mentality of
to transfer organizational and technical skills to other aspects of their work and
community efforts.
PCVs may play an important role in helping to ensure that a SPA project is
successful. A PCV who assumes the role of a "facilitator" rather than a "doer" of a
project, helps to transfer technical skills, enhance leadership capacity, and
increase self-reliance.
PCVs who have worked with SPA projects have identified the following as crucial to
the accomplishment of a project and to the process of skill transference and
capacity building.
ii. Ownership of the Project
A successful project is conceived and "owned" by the school or community
organization. A PCV brings skills that can help the community to define a problem,
identify a solution, access resources, and implement the activity. It is the
school/community, however, who must have identified the project as a priority and
who must take ownership of the project.
iii. Problem Identification
A successful project addresses a clearly defined problem, one that can be broken
down to basic causes. A PCV's analytical skills can be extremely useful in helping
the community to identify possible causes of a problem and thereby select the
most appropriate solution and implementation strategy.
iv. Planning
Successful projects depend on thorough planning before implementation. PCVs can
help in the planning process by introducing simple planning methods and asking
clarifying questions. The community group, however, needs to be involved in and
take responsibility for the planning.
v. Implementation
Projects that have significant contribution from the community, both in-kind and
financial, are more likely to succeed. During the implementation phase of a project
a PCV may be instrumental in training participants in new and/or improved
technical skills related to the project. The transfer of skills during this training is
essential for the long-term success of the project.
Gift Defined
A gift is defined as, a gratuitous transfer of property, money, or voluntary
services. (See Manual Section 721, Section 4.0 Definitions).
Raising Funds for Project Support
Solicitation for community-based projects is a means of facilitating community
development, but should not become a Volunteers primary activity or a measure
of a Volunteers success.
Volunteers should be concerned with money only to the extent that it is needed to
fund local, community-initiated projects that meet Peace Corps defined standards
of sustainability, community involvement and community need.
Accepting Gifts on Behalf of Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is a governmental agency with gift acceptance authority. Those
who may accept a gift on behalf of the Peace Corps include the Peace Corps
Director, the Director of the Office of Private Sector Initiatives (OPSI), and Country
Directors (who may accept donations up to a specified limit). Although Volunteers
are official representatives of the Peace Corps, they are not among those who may
accept gifts. (See Manual Section 721, 5.0 Policies, for complete list).
ii. Volunteer Solicitation vs. OPSI Solicitation
What is the Diference? Why Choose OPSI?
Volunteers play a pivotal role in helping the Office of Private Sector Initiatives
(OPSI) staff identify potential donors for community-based Peace Corps projects.
While it makes sense for Volunteers to solicit support for community-initiated
projects among friends and family, it is often preferable that the volunteer defer to
OPSI staff to solicit for project support for a number of reasons:
OPSI is the only designated office within the Peace Corps that has authority
to accept gifts on behalf of the Peace Corps and for Peace Corps projects.
Volunteers do not have the authority to accept gifts;
OPSI has systems in place that guarantee Volunteer referrals are contacted
and followed-up with in a timely manner, unlike Volunteers who must often
depend on unreliable or erratic means of communication;
OPSI ensures that gifts are received and disbursed in accordance with Peace
Corps policy;
OPSI is able to ensure that donors are aware of all of their options with
regard to making gifts to Peace Corps;
Gifts made through OPSI are tax deductible, while those made directly to a
Volunteer or his/her host community are not; and
OPSI is able to guarantee that all gifts meet the criteria set forth in Peace
Corps manual section 721, 5.0 Policies.
16.
Even in the short time we have been in Colombia re-establishing the Peace Corps
program, facts regarding Peace Corps purpose and activities have been distorted
and published in the media. As a result we all need to take necessary precautions
and be sensitive to how our comments can be interpreted.
Trainees or Volunteers are free to discuss their role in the Peace Corps with
media representatives. However, they should notify their Country Director of
such discussions before they take place. In no case should you grant an
interview with the press, radio or television without prior approval from
the Country Director. Trainees and Volunteers must be aware of, and be
sensitive to the impact their personal comments may have on themselves,
their coworkers and program, and the Peace Corps worldwide.
The Peace Corps encourages Volunteers and returned Volunteers to share
their stories and experiences with the media, as this is part of the third goal
of the Peace Corps and bringing the world home.
17.
However, please keep in mind that in todays age of digital information, what
you say will be read by a large audience of Americans and Colombians. While
you may think you are only speaking for yourself, remember that readers will
take what you say or write as a reflection of your fellow Volunteers, the
people of Colombia, the Peace Corps program here, and also the Peace Corps
program as a whole.
Peace Corps' credibility and hence its ability to perform its mission is
contingent on your keeping in mind the responsibility you hold as an
ambassador for the organization and your country. You should also remember
as stated above - that Peace Corps policy requires you to inform your
Country Director of all media opportunities. In addition, you are asked not to
make any public statement regarding politics or other controversial issues in
your host country, as this could impair the effectiveness of the Peace Corps
program in Colombia and the effectiveness of other Volunteers serving today
and in the future.
Once again, all publications within or outside of Colombia must be previously
authorized by the CD.
Otherwise, relax and share your stories and experiences. In the end, honest
and detailed stories will help others learn about other peoples and cultures
their traditions, values and challenges - and the Peace Corps experience.
Volunteer Support Systems
American Diversity
In view of both the visible and invisible diversity among the PC population in
Colombia, staff and PCVs will receive ongoing training to provide each other with
needed support and celebrate the richness of our diversity. Support groups at
Peace Corps posts are often established to attend to the needs of the variable
groups of PCVs who look to each other for their primary support. Volunteers in
Colombia have set up a Diversity Committee to help Volunteers with diversity
issues as well as do trainings for staff and Volunteers. You can communicate with
them via Lindsay Thielmann (lthielmann89@gmail.com).
18.
The following are examples of Volunteer support and work groups that are found at
many PC Posts. PC/Colombia strongly encourages Volunteers to take the steps to
form such groups when the interest and need exist. Please contact the DPT or CD
for guidance in the formation of these Volunteer support groups and the
procedures to follow.
Train PCVs and HCNs and provide them with a network of contacts and
information in order to execute gender development activities at the
community level.
Facilitate seminars to promote GAD vision and related topics, as well as
bridge cultural differences among participants.
c. HIV/AIDS Awareness
While HIV/AIDS rates among Colombians, especially on the Caribbean coast, are
relatively low, especially compared with other countries in the region, the rates
among vulnerable populations are worrisome. Adding to that the fact that the cities
we work in are port and tourism cities, there is opportunity for working with service
providers, community members, teachers etc. to implement HIV/AIDS prevention
and awareness activities. Furthermore, PC/CO will provide a training for all
Volunteers and at least one counterpart in your first year for designing and
implementing HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention trainings and activities. This
work group brings Volunteers together and works with staff to design and
implement the posts strategies for training counterparts, youth, and community
members in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention.
d. Youth
This work group promotes youth work through the design of variety of activities
such as trainings, manuals and camps. Many of you will naturally work with youth
via your primary assignment. This is a priority target population group for us as we
seek out opportunities to develop the potential of young people and help prepare
them for an increasingly competitive work place in Colombia. There are a number
of NGOs and community-based groups working in this area and a youth work group
could help serve as a liaison between these NGOs and the youth in your
communities.
e. OISTE?
OISTE? is the Peace Corps/Colombia Volunteer newsletter that was started by a
small group of Peace Corps Response Volunteers in 2010. The Volunteer work
group compiles the OISTE? newsletter largely from articles submitted by
Volunteers and office staff, and in addition to being a source of important
information regarding Peace Corps, has been a fun publication. It can be an
effective tool to document Peace Corps/Colombias continuing dialogue on
development as well as a great place for exchanging ideas and thoughts on work
and life in Colombia. Contact the DPT if you are interested in joining the OISTE?
work group.
Other groups may be formed depending on interest and need. Again, please
contact the DPT or CD if you have any questions or ideas.
19.
Volunteers accrue two vacation days per month of service. The Project
Manager (PM) and Project Training Specialist (PTS) tabulate and monitor
accrued and taken leave. Check with them ahead of time to ensure you have
the available days for your planned leave.
Travel Days: For international trips and some local trips, travel days (the
departure and arrival dates) will not be included in the calculation of vacation
days. The calculation of these days is at the discretion of the Country Director.
For example, if you are planning a trip to Bogota with departure at 8:00 AM, the
day may be counted as a vacation day. However, if the departure is after 5:00
PM, the day may not be counted as a vacation day.
Each time a PCV returns from vacation, he/she must call or notify the
Barranquilla office by the day the approved vacation period ends, otherwise
vacation days will continue to be deducted.
Volunteers must notify the Peace Corps office if health, money, transportation
problems, or other unforeseen circumstances prevent them from returning on
time. This allows Peace Corps staff to know where PCVs are in case of an
emergency, and to advise contacts in your site and the counterpart organization
of your delay. Usually, PCVs can notify PC/CO free of charge by contacting the
nearest U.S. Consulate, Embassy, or PC office.
Volunteers who travel to countries where Peace Corps is present must adhere to
that host countries travel policy.
The Country Director has the discretion, upon the recommendation of the PM or
in his/her absence of the PTS, to advance annual leave, not to exceed the
amount accruable during the Volunteers service.
Holidays & Weekends: Host country holidays that co-workers observe are
also holidays for Volunteers without charge to leave if the Volunteer is spending
the vacation time in Colombia. Weekends during any vacation period spent
within the country are, however, counted as vacation time. If a Colombian
holiday or weekend falls within any vacation period spent outside the country,
both the holiday and/or weekend will be counted as vacation time.
Please refer to the holiday list on page 15 of this handbook for a guide of
Colombian holidays recognized by PC/CO. Also double check with the office to
confirm the holidays when you submit your vacation request. Colombian holidays
are subject to revision or decree and will be simultaneously posted at the office in
Barranquilla and communicated to all Volunteers and staff. Please note that during
Semana Santa, some host country agencies close their offices for the entire week;
those employees are given Holy Thursday and Good Friday as holidays while the
rest of their days off are counted as vacation time.
Other types of Leave:
Leave Without Allowance (LWOA): All Leave Without Allowance (LWOA) must
be approved by the Country Director. LWOA is reserved for exceptional
circumstances that require a V/T to be absent from their training or project
site for personal reasons; LWOA is not to be used to extend the vacation limit
beyond the 21-day maximum. LWOA absences for up to 30 days can be
approved at the discretion of the Country Director. The Country Director's
decision must be based on a determination that a Trainee's absence will not
adversely affect his/her training, or that a Volunteer's absence will not adversely
affect the Volunteer's project unduly or Peace Corps' effectiveness in the host
country. In all circumstances, PCVs must first solicit LWOA from their PM who
makes a recommendation for consideration to the CD. While on LWOA status
PCVs receive no allowances or readjustment allowance accruals. The monthly
A PCV may not leave Colombia or travel to any parts of Colombia outside the
sub-regions of Santa Marta, Barranquilla or Cartagena for any reason without
previous authorization from PC/CO. As a result, even for day travel outside
the greater city areas of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta, the
Volunteer must submit the In-Country Request Form for clearance to travel
to that location. Circumstances may make it necessary to submit the request
form with less lead time, but should normally be submitted through the CD at
least 15 days in advance for the purpose of assessing the security situation
at the location to be visited.
A V/Ts well-being is PC/COs greatest concern. A V/T will be considered
missing if after 48 hours of trying (or less should there be clear reason for
concern) the Peace Corps is unable to locate or otherwise make direct
contact with the V/T. PC/CO must notify PC/W when the Volunteer or Trainee
is considered missing.
The focus of a your service, especially in the first months, needs to be settling and
integrating into the community, being accessible to new work partners, host
family, neighbors; and, building personal familiarity and professional credibility
with the community at large.
Time away from your community solely to take care of personal needs should be
taken infrequently, and must not be abused. What is a reasonable period of time?
When the days are taken over a weekend - for example, departing your community
on a Friday and returning on a Sunday - three consecutive days - two nights/three
days may be a reasonable length of time to be away from your community solely
for personal reasons. A reasonable length of time is normally different when
personal days are taken during a normal work week. In these circumstances the
personal days should never interfere with ones work and professional duties.
Furthermore, when a Volunteer wishes to be away from the community for more
than three consecutive days (2 nights/3 days), solely for personal reasons, he/she
must request and use annual leave for the entire period. Personal time cannot be
tacked onto annual leave. They are different and should not be confused or
combined.
Personal time away from your community may be spent anywhere within Peace
Corps Colombias work territory which is the sub-regions of Cartagena,
Barranquilla and Santa Marta, but not outside of these areas and you must inform
via whereabouts if you visit them overnight.
If you feel a desire or need to be away from your community frequently then you
should talk with your Project Manager to examine your work activities and
community integration. From experience, when Volunteers think they may be away
from their community too much, then they probably are.
In summary, the purpose of this policy is to be able to locate you in case of an
emergency or a safety and security issue.
We take our responsibility seriously to notify you immediately if there is an
emergency in your family or if there is an issue affecting your safety and security.
PC/HQ and often your families expects us to know where you are at all times.
We need your cooperation to do this.
Your Accountability for Notifying Peace Corps of Your Whereabouts
Who to Notify
In all cases, it is the responsibility of the Volunteer to inform their host family and
the PC/Colombia Barranquilla office if he/she is going to be away from his/her
home/community overnight or multiple nights.
the purpose of the absence from community, their personal cell phone
number and any other phone number at which they can be reached
all locations (aligned with the dates) they will be at while they are away from
their community
How to Notify
PC/Colombia has designated Duty officer phone number 312-451-4301 as its
official whereabouts phone number and whereabouts@co.peacecorps.gov as
the official whereabouts email address.
Methods for communicating your whereabouts with PC/Colombia include:
During PC/Colombia work days and hours (8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.) you may
call 385-1060 to provide your whereabouts information. When you call the
office, explain that you are calling to provide your whereabouts info and the
SSC or other staff person will take down the above detailed information. If
you would like, the staff person will call you back. After hours, call the Duty
Officer to provide the required information.
At any time, you may send a text message to 312-451-4301. You must
provide all the required information.
If you send an email or a text message and you have not provided all the required
information, then you have NOT fully complied with your notification responsibility.
You must provide all required information.
This notification process is not negotiable. If you do not comply with this process,
disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including administrative separation.
(over two weeks) are strongly discouraged and must be approved by the
PM.
PCVs are asked to schedule visits from family and friends in such a way that they
do not conflict with events at which Volunteers must participate, such as In-Service
Trainings.
VI. SAFETY & SECURITY
Safety & Security of the PCV/PCT is a top priority of the Peace Corps. PCV/PCT
safety is also a shared responsibility. PC will take every precaution to not put PCVs
in sites or situations that are known to be dangerous or potentially dangerous.
However, in day-to-day living as a Volunteer personal safety is primarily the
responsibility of each individual.
The importance of personal safety is not something new, nor is it unique to
PC/Colombia, though the country does present special safety and security
considerations for Peace Corps. As Volunteers you come to Colombia with personal
safety knowledge gathered over the years, but here you will face new, barely
understood social and cultural challenges which can be frustrating, confusing and
sometimes frightening. Again, personal safety is a learning process and as you live
in Colombia and learn more about its history and culture, you will also develop new
personal safety skills and learn when and how to apply them. In the end, in
addition to the valuable skills you develop, common sense will always serve you
well!
As Volunteers in this initial phase of Peace Corps re-entry to Colombia, most of you
will be living and working in urban and peri-urban areas that increase certain
safety risks and call for strong mitigation strategies. PC/COs policy to have you
live with a host family (required for your entire service), as well as other
precautionary measures that will be shared and discussed with you, will help make
you safer but can never hope to reduce risks completely.
A. PERSONAL PROPERTY/THEFT AND BURGLARY
PCV/PCTs are personally responsible for safeguarding their personal property
(including property purchased with PC allowances), PC property in the PCV/PCTs
possession, living and other allowances, and personal cash.
The PC is not an insurer of personal property or cash and, except as provided
herein, will not replace or reimburse personal property lost by PCV/PCTs. It is
When the lost item is essential to the health, welfare, or continued service of
the V/T;
The V/T will not be able to meet some or all of his or her anticipated living
expenses prior to receipt of the next living allowance;
The unusual circumstances surrounding the V/T's loss (other than a living
allowance) lead the Country Director (CD) to determine that full or partial
reimbursement is appropriate and fair.
Only in very unusual cases or where the PCV/PCT will not be able to meet their
living expenses lost or stolen living allowance money may be reimbursed in an
amount that equals the stolen portion of a living allowance that corresponds to the
days remaining until the next living allowance deposit, at the discretion of the CD.
There can be no reimbursement for lost or stolen vacation money, readjustment
allowance, or COS payments in lieu of travel costs, or for money stolen which was
not living allowance.
The procedures for receiving reimbursement are as follows:
A copy of a police report must be obtained from the nearest Estacin de Policas
(police station) and delivered to the Admin Unit.
1 Report the incident to the Safety and Security Coordinator (SSC), and fill out
a) the PC Incident Report Form, and b) the PC Property Claim Form with the
related information.
2 Deliver the Incident Report Form to the SSC and the Property Claim Form to
the Admin Unit
3 In all cases, whether a claim is filed or not, the PCV/PCT needs to report the
incident to the SSC and fill out the PC Incident Report Form and deliver it to
the SSC. This includes incidents such as attempted theft or similar crime in
which you actually lost nothing, and crimes committed while you are out of
the country on vacation.
Lost, damaged, or stolen property purchased with allowance money, may be
considered for reimbursement only if the PCV/PCT has a continuing need for the
lost allowance or property in order to function effectively as a PCV/PCT and/or to
assure PCV/PCTs safety & security.
Loss of other property may be reimbursed if the loss is deemed of primary
importance to PCV/PCTs health and safety.
Finally, PC/CO cannot hold personal cash for Volunteers at the PC Office. To
safeguard personal cash, it is recommended you deposit it in your personal
account at the Helm Bank.
B. POLICE
In case a uniformed police officer or uniformed military officer should stop you, you
should present your documents when asked. Do not resist, question or argue, even
though it may be an inconvenience. In case you are arrested, make every effort to
inform a PC staff or fellow Trainee/Volunteer that you have been arrested. Make an
effort to explain that you are a Peace Corps Volunteer and that Peace Corps is a
part of the U.S. Embassy Mission in Colombia. Insist on calling the Duty Officer or
Peace Corps.
In the case of serious accident or hospitalization, contact the PCMO and/or the
Duty Officer. If you cannot make the call yourself, have someone else make the call
for you.
C. INSURANCE
Since Peace Corps will not reimburse for stolen items, it is strongly encouraged
that you purchase insurance if you have not already done so. Clements is generally
the company many use for overseas coverage ( http://www.clements.com/) but there
are others as well that you may use.
D. FIRE ARMS
No PCV is to own or control the use of a gun or other firearm. No firearms or
ammunition are ever, under any circumstances, to be present in a Volunteers
living quarters.
E. EMERGENCIES
PCV Emergencies and Accidents
Here in Colombia, as anywhere, good communication and careful advance planning
are essential for handling an emergency. Please prepare yourself for the
emergency that may never happen by adhering to the following instructions.
If an emergency occurs during office hours, the PCV/PCT should call the PC Office.
During evenings, weekends and holidays, PCVs/PCTs should call the Medical
Emergency Duty Phone 310-247-7200 for medical emergencies, or the Duty Officer
Phone 312-451-4301 for non-medical emergencies. If for any reason you cannot
get through to these numbers, call the Country Director, the DPT or DMO, or any
other staff member for assistance. You will be provided with a card with these
numbers, but you should also program them into your cell phone and share them
with your host family, counterparts or other close contacts in your site.
F. SITE LOCATOR FORMS (SLF)
Site Locator Forms (SLF) are the most important tools we use for staff to quickly
locate a Volunteer in case of an emergency. A poorly done or not updated site
locator form delays communication with the PCV and may delay the amount of
time it takes to notify the PCV in case of a family emergency, or other kind of
emergency.
The fundamental building block of the communication system is the SLF. Each
Volunteer is responsible for maintaining his/her SLF with accurate updated
information. It is the SSC who receives all Volunteer SLFs and ensures that VIDA is
updated to include new SLF information. It is the SSCs responsibility to distribute
the SLFs (new and revised) to the EAP Warden/Coordinators and make them
available for senior staff.
Within 30 days in your site, you should know: (1) the best as well as alternative
means of getting to and from the PC Office; (2) the means of transportation to
Barranquilla from your site, including, when applicable, at least two Puerta/Puerta
providers, and the Berlitur terminal to terminal alternative; (3) two or three people
with vehicles who could take you to Barranquilla or the nearest hospital in the case
of an emergency; (4) the PC-approved medical centers and their locations in Santa
Marta, Cartagena and Barranquilla; and (5) your closest PCV neighbor and how to
reach him or her by phone as well as by bus.
Within the same 30 day time period, you must fill out and return the Site Locator
Form (SLF) to the Safety and Security Coordinator (SSC) for review and to ensure
completeness. The SSC will retain the original SLF and distribute copies to
appropriate staff. The SLF must include the above information, plus a map showing
the location of your host family home, best means of transportation to and from
your site, nearest medical care, and any other pertinent information. Please be
sure the site locator form is as accurate as possible, and that someone
will be able to locate you using only this form. Whenever necessary, and
particularly in the event of any site change, please also ensure that the SLF is
updated with the clearest and most accurate data. Vacations will not be approved
if you do not have an accurate SLF on file.
In summary:
1. Complete a SLF Immediately upon arrival to your site.
2. Submit a new SLF if you change residence and move to another host family.
3. Submit a revised SLF every time you need to change any of the information
requested.
G. SEXUAL ASSAULT
Sexual assault is as severe a problem in Colombia as it is anywhere else. To avoid
it, try to remember that this is a culture of sheltered women and act accordingly.
Women, especially, should never be alone on the street after 9 p.m. Do not camp
out alone under the stars. If you must be out late make sure you are accompanied
-- preferably by a male you know and trust, or take a taxi you have ordered to the
house, not hailing one on the street.
Please read carefully the following section on Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and
Response.
Commitment to Sexual Assault Victims
Peace Corps is committed to providing a compassionate and supportive response
to all Volunteers who have been sexually assaulted. To that end, the Peace Corps
makes the following commitment to our Volunteers who are victims of sexual
assault.
1. Compassion: We will treat you with dignity and respect. No one deserves to
be a victim of a sexual assault.
2. Safety: We will take appropriate steps to provide for your ongoing safety.
3. Support: We will provide you with the support you need to aid in your
recovery.
4. Legal: We will help you understand the relevant legal processes and your legal
options.
5. Open Communication: We will keep you informed of the progress of your
case, should you choose to pursue prosecution.
6. Continuation of Service: We will work closely with you to make decisions
regarding your continued service.
7. Privacy: We will respect your privacy and will not, without your consent,
disclose your identity or share the details of the incident with anyone who does
not have a legitimate need to know.
Peace Corps staff worldwide will demonstrate this commitment to you through our
words and actions.
All reports of sexual assault are handled with the utmost confidentiality and the
PCV/T has the choice of restricted reporting where PII is only provided to
designated staff, and standard reporting where PII is provided to the CD, Police,
RSO, and OIG. All reports of sexual assault are treated initially as restricted reports
with the PCV/T contacting the PCMO immediately.
Peace Corps
Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Response Program
General Description of Peace Corps Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and
Response Program
Peace Corps has in place a comprehensive Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and
Response (SARRR) Program that reflects its unwavering commitment to reducing
risks for Volunteers and responding effectively and compassionately to reports of
sexual assault and other crimes.
The program takes a two-pronged approach. The first is to reduce risks through
training for Volunteers, including bystander intervention, risk assessment, and
other skill-building sessions during Pre- and In-Service Training; the second is to
ensure that Peace Corps staff responds effectively and compassionately when
incidents do occur, through staff training, the Office of Victim Advocacy, and the
appointment of trained Sexual Assault Response Liaisons (SARLs) at each post.
The Peace Corps offers a wide variety of support services to victims of sexual
assault. If you are the victim of sexual assault or even if you are unsure if you have
been victimized, we strongly encourage you to report this to staff at post so that
you can get the services that you need to aid in your recovery. No one deserves to
be the victim of a sexual assault. We are committed to treat you with dignity and
respect and to respect your privacy.
The SARRR Program includes new and updated policies, extensive training for
Volunteers and staff, and clearly defined procedures for reducing risks and
responding to Volunteers who are victims of sexual assault. It reflects Peace
Corps ironclad commitment to the physical and emotional well-being of every
single Volunteer and our desire to create an environment where Volunteers can
feel confident seeking support from Peace Corps.
Below are descriptions of the critical training, policies and procedures related to
the SARRR Program.
Volunteer Training on Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Response
Peace Corps wants every Volunteer to have a safe, healthy and productive
service. To that end, Peace Corps has designed four comprehensive personal
safety and security training sessions for Pre-Service Training centered around
Personal Safety and Risk Reduction, Sexual Assault Awareness, Sexual Assault
Impact, Reporting and Response, and a peer-based support model widely used in
the United States called Bystander Intervention.
In addition, each Peace Corps post integrates critical information into language
and cross-cultural training sessions in both Pre-Service and In-Service Training.
These
trainings
cover
topics
such
as
dealing
with
unwanted
attention/harassment, gender issues and dating, site entry and integration, and
how to report incidents and access support from the Peace Corps.
A Volunteer-Centered Approach to Reporting Sexual Assaults: Restricted
and Standard Reporting
If a Volunteer is sexually assaulted, she/he has the option to make either a
restricted or standard report. Volunteers may, for a variety of reasons, be
reluctant or unwilling to report sexual assaults. As a result, the Peace Corps has
developed two confidential reporting options to provide Volunteers with a choice
when reporting a sexual assault. By giving Volunteers these two options, we hope
to encourage all Volunteers who are the victims of sexual assault to come forward
so they receive the services that they need.
Restricted Reporting: A Volunteer who wishes to make a restricted report
about a sexual assault should contact the PCMO or the other Designated Staff
(SSC, SARL or Victim Advocate) directly. Restricted reporting strictly limits access
to information about an assault to only those providing support services
requested by the Volunteer. Under restricted reporting a Volunteer has the ability
to request medical, counseling, advocacy and legal services without sharing
personal information or the details of the assault beyond those who directly
provide services, and without triggering an investigation. Peace Corps service
providers at post, called Designated Staff, include the PCMO, the SSC, and the
SARL. Service providers at Headquarters are also Designated Staff and include an
Assigned Security Specialist in the Office of Safety and Security, and the Victim
Advocate.
Standard Reporting: A Volunteer who wishes to report a sexual assault should
contact the PCMO or other Designated Staff (SSC, SARL, or Victim Advocate)
directly. Standard reporting provides a Volunteer who has been sexually assaulted
the ability to seek criminal, legal or administrative action against the offender.
Standard reporting also allows a Volunteer to widen the circle of support by
including the Country Director or other staff as needed. Standard reports are
confidentially shared with the Country Director, and may be shared with other
staff who have a specific need to know the information contained in the report in
order to perform specific tasks that are part of their official duties.
Restricted Report Services
8. An explanation of law
enforcement and prosecutorial
options, including, for this
purpose, legal representation.
If you have any questions about services provided under restricted or standard
reporting, contact the PCMO, SSC, SARL or Victim Advocate.
Conversion of Restricted Report into Standard Report: A Volunteers
report of sexual assault is presumed to be a restricted report until she/he
exercises the option to make the report a standard report or until it is otherwise
converted into a standard report in accordance with Peace Corps procedures.
Under no circumstances may a restricted report be converted into a standard
report without the consent of the Volunteer or unless the Office of the General
Counsel, in conjunction with the Assigned Security Specialist or the Office of
Health Services, has determined in accordance with Peace Corps procedures, that
an exception applies.
Exceptions to Sharing Personal Information from a Restricted Report: In
cases where Volunteers elect restricted reporting, disclosure of personally
identifying information (PII) is authorized to the following persons or organization
when disclosure would be for the following reasons:
COMPASSION
We will treat you with dignity and respect.
No one deserves to be a victim of a sexual
assault.
2.
SAFETY
We will take appropriate steps to provide for
your ongoing safety.
3.
SUPPORT
We will provide you with the support you need
to aid in your recovery.
4.
LEGAL
We will help you understand the relevant legal
processes and your legal options.
5.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
We will keep you informed of the progress of your
case, should you chose to pursue prosecution.
6.
CONTINUATION OF SERVICE
We will work closely with you to make decisions
regarding your continued service.
7.
PRIVACY
We will respect your privacy and will not, without
your consent, disclose your identity or share the details
This means:
PCVs should notify PC if they leave site, and
provide contact information in case additional communication is
required. PCVs may need to seek permission to leave their sites,
depending on the situation.
Phase II
Stand Fast
This means:
Phase III
Consolidati
on
This means:
Go to pre-arranged consolidation point and await
further instruction.
Phase IV
Evacuation
ALL CLEAR
This means:
Move to designated evacuation point.
Contact your Regional Warden/Coordinator or the PC Office to
receive instructions on the most appropriate evacuation route for
the situation. Different options include:
Evacuation 1: Move to Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta
Evacuation 2: Move to neighboring country.
Evacuation 3: Move to airport/airstrip for air evacuation.
This means:
The danger has passed. This code would probably
be used to call off a stand fast. If in consolidation or at evacuation
point, there should be phone communication in order to transmit the
all-clear message.
Poder Ejecutivo
Poder Judicial
Congreso
de
-Senado
-Cmara de Representantes
Constitucional
Presidente
Corte Suprema
Vice-Presidente
Justicia
Corte
Ministerios
Consejo
Interior
Consejo
la Judicatura
Estado
Superior de
de
Relaciones Exteriores
Tribunales
Juzgados:
Hacienda y Crdito Pblico
Civil
Defensa Nacional
Comercial
Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural
Criminal
Salud y Proteccin Social
Laboral
Trabajo
Minas y Energa
Fiscalas
Comercio, Industria y Turismo
Educacin Nacional
Vivienda, Ciudad y Territorio
Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible
Tecnologas de la Informacin y Comunicaciones
Transporte
Cultura
Departamentos Administrativos
Decentralized Authorities
Colombia is divided into Departments. Each department has a capital city
and is further divided into districts or municipalities. Each district has an
urban center (or casco urbano), often surrounded by peri-urban barrios or
rural villages. Key authorities at each level are as follows:
Department Level:
Gobernador (similar to a Governor in the U.S.): elected by the Departmental
electorate
There is one Governor in each Department. A Gobernador is the top authority
for the Department. He/she holds office in the capital city of the Department
at a building called La Gobernacin.
Secretarios: Heads of cabinet offices or Secretariats; appointed by the
Gobernador.
District Level:
Alcalde (Mayor): As of May 1991 elected by the community by direct vote.
Secretarios: Heads of cabinet offices or Secretariats; appointed by the
Alcalde.
Comisario (Police Chief): Police chief responsible to a departmental head and
the national police head in Bogota.
132
APPENDICES
133
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Do build a strong relationship with your APCD/Project Manager send monthly calendars; touch base frequently by email or phone
calls..
9.
10.
11.
Director
of
Management
Operations:
Casey B. Welch
Cell: 312-451-4293
cwelch@peacecorps.gov
Country Director:
George Baldino
Home phone: (035) 301-4513
Cell: 312-451-4292
gbaldino@peacecorps.gov
135
Medical
Duty
Officer
Number: 310-247-7200
Peace Corps Medical
(PCMO):
312-451-4303
Police and
Number:
123/112
Emergency
Phone
Officer
Phone
Barranquilla: 321-394-3979
Cartagena:
320-304-6557
Santa Marta: 320-295-2489
Transportation risks are some of the more serious safety and security
concerns faced by Volunteers in Colombia.
The Safety and Security
Coordinator (SSC) is the staff person responsible for monitoring
transportation issues, for providing recommendations and updates on
transportation companies, carriers, road closings and conditions, and for
responding to questions or concerns about transportation safety.
General Travel Guidelines
Failure to fully comply with any part of this Peace Corps Colombia travel
policy may result in Administrative Separation for PCVs/Ts.
The entire travel policy applies equally to both Peace Corps Volunteers
(PCVs) and Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs), and applies to PCVs/Ts at all times
(including vacations) while they are in Colombia.
Public Transportation
In order to ensure Volunteer/Trainee safety on public transportation, PCVs/Ts
are encouraged to get to know buses and drivers that travel scheduled
routes at assigned sites. PCVs/Ts are encouraged to get off a bus or colectivo
when feeling unsafe.
Due to the risk of an accident or sudden evasive action by the driver, which
could result in death or serious injury, Volunteers may not ride in the back of
any regular pick-up or on top of any vehicles.
Other transportation safety rules for Volunteers to follow include:
136
Buses, Colectivos
For inter-city bus trips between Cartagena and Barranquilla and between
Barranquilla and Santa Marta, Volunteers have two options for inter-city
travel: the vans popularly known as Puerta a Puerta (which is door-to-door)
and Berlinatur Van Service. Note that the Berlinatur Van Service operates
from terminal to terminal, not door-to-door, for inter-city travel. The terminals
are located in safe zones of Barranquilla, Santa Marta and Cartagena, and
the addresses and phone numbers are listed in Appendix A. Only after
arrival to Barranquilla, Santa Marta or Cartagena, are Volunteers permitted to
use the regular intra-city public buses.
For safety reasons, PCVs/Ts should always sit on the right side of the bus, on
the side opposite the driver, from the second through the 8th rows. In case of
accident, this is typically the safest part of the bus, as the left side is most
often impacted. PCVs/Ts should never sit in the last row on either side, due to
the danger of an impact from behind. Also PCVs/T should sit close to the hall,
not in the corner, for getting out the bus if necessary and avoid the risk of
robbery or sexual assault..
While major accidents involving inter-city buses occur with some regularity,
buses are also sometimes targeted for attack by armed actors, a factor that
raises special concern. Many illegal groups from the decades-long civil
conflict continue to operate to varying degrees throughout the country.
These groups can and do present a legitimate threat on the countrys
highways. Therefore, it is necessary to place specific restrictions and provide
guidelines on traveling within and between cities throughout Colombia.
Volunteers must use air transportation for any inter-city travel outside of the
north coast highway area. Volunteer bus travel is limited to the bus lines
137
Further, if required to support a work-related activity or attend a workrelated function in off-limits inner-city locations such as Malambo or
Soledad in Barranquilla, approval must first be requested from the
PC/Colombia CD, with details provided on travel plans and coordination
with the PC partner or community organization.
Travel Chart
The chart below will help Volunteers understand which types of land travel
are authorized at different times of day and in different locations.
Travel
Location
Intra-City
Yes
on Coast
Inter-City
Yes
on Coast
Inter-City to No
other
Mission
approved
cities from
of Puerta
a
Puerta
&Terminal to
Terminal
(Berlinatur
Vans
Service)
N.A.
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
138
the Coast
In
and Yes
around
Mission
Approv.
Cities
outside
Coast
No
Yes
(but Yes
(but
consult
PC consult
PC
before trip)
before trip)
Taxis
Taxis are relatively inexpensive and plentiful throughout the Caribbean Coast
region of Colombia and are often the only practical means of transportation
between two points. Volunteers should become familiar with reputable taxi
services in their communities.
If a Volunteer needs to take a street taxi, the Volunteer should be careful to
take a duly registered taxi, with the license number painted on the side, and
a taxi decal permanently attached to the roof. The Volunteer should note the
license plate number of the taxi, and is encouraged to make a cell phone call
from the taxi or send a text message to the Duty Officer, SSC or the Project
Manager indicating the license number. Volunteers should never take a taxi
that only has a removable taxi placard on the windshield. Volunteers have
been robbed in such taxi bambas.
Volunteers should be aware that taxis (usually small vans) that function as
colectivos are often crowded, putting passengers at risk of petty theft and
pick pocketing. These vans normally wait for, or pick up multiple passengers
along a fixed route
For intra-city travel during nighttime hours, it is recommended that
Volunteers use radio dispatched taxis whenever possible.
Bicycles
Volunteers should be aware of the challenges of bike riding in Colombia,
given the lack of respect shown to bike riders by drivers of other vehicles and
the conditions of many streets and roads. Volunteers are required to receive
prior approval from the Country Director to ride bicycles in Colombia,
whether for personal or work-related reasons. If approved, a Volunteer must
wear a helmet at all times when riding a bicycle, and failure to do so will
result in disciplinary action, up to and including administrative separation.
For a Volunteer who must ride a bicycle to carry out his/her assigned work,
PC/Colombia will provide an appropriate helmet.
Motorcycles
A PCV/PCT is not allowed to drive or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle. A
"motorcycle" is any two-or three-wheeled motorized vehicle (including
139
Only staff members may drive vehicles, except as provided for in Peace
Corps Manual Section 522. Peace Corps vehicles are for transporting staff,
Volunteers, and others on official business. PC vehicles may not be used for
personal reasons except in approved exceptional circumstances
contemplated in the Peace Corps Manual Section 522. All drivers and
passengers must use seat belts, even for short trips. Enforcing this regulation
is the responsibility of the vehicle's driver.
Trips to the Tayrona Park
Tayrona Park is a heavily visited tourist area with various activity attractions,
including hiking, horseback riding, scuba diving, rafting and kayaking, among
others. After receiving prior CD approval, a Volunteer must take extra care to
comply with a detailed and complete whereabouts notification, including the
names of persons traveling with the Volunteer, lodging information if
applicable, the best means of communication, and the departure and return
date and type of transportation to be used (public or private). In addition,
when travel is approved, the traveler must comply with PC/Colombias
Tayrona Park monitoring requirement by sending a text message on a daily
basis to the Duty Officer or SSC. As with all requests that require prior CD
approval, the necessary travel request form is to be submitted at least
fifteen days prior to the start of the trip. Further, if the trip involves vacation
days, the vacation request must be submitted to the Program Manager for
approval at least 15 days prior to the planned vacation.
Volunteer driving in Colombia
Volunteers may not drive in Colombia. They may not own, rent, or borrow a
motor vehicle in Colombia (including an automobile, motorcycle, or threewheeled cycle).
Air travel
Air travel will be authorized for Volunteers when necessary to attend official
Peace Corps events. Volunteers may also travel by air for vacation purposes,
and such travel must be in conformity with PC/Colombia in-country travel
policies. When for emergency or other special purposes, travel in noncommercial charter or private planes, or helicopter is deemed necessary,
prior CD approval is required.
Approved Travel Locations
The security situation in Colombia is improving, though significant challenges
still exist. Personal security continues to pose serious risk to Colombians and
foreigners alike. In order to ensure that Peace Corps Volunteers are best
positioned to serve successfully and safely, the Peace Corps, in collaboration
with host government and US government partners have determined the
following list of cities and towns to be approved for Volunteer travel. Any
town, city or department not specifically listed in the table below is
considered to be off limits for Volunteer travel. Any proposed travel to a
141
144
which must be verified by the taxi that arrives. If the code does not match,
the taxi should not be used.
A Volunteer/Trainee should always ask the price of the fare before
getting in a taxi. The fare from Barranquilla airport to the Northern area of
Barranquilla is normally $25,000 pesos (approx. $13 USD) In Cartagena the
fare from the airport to the old city is approximately $6,000 pesos and to
Bocagrande $8,000 pesos.
Barranquilla:
Taxi ejecutivo: (5) 322 2222, Taxis 3191919 or PuntoTaxi: (5) 386 8686
(from a cell phone dial only #386)
Cartagena:
Comunicamos Tele Taxi: (5) 660 0000
Santa Marta:
Rodadero taxi service: (5) 422 7255
Taxi Ltda: (5) 420 1345
Air travel: Avianca, Copair and LanChile provide services to all major
Colombian cities.
Offices in Barranquilla:
Avianca:
(5) 334 8396
LanChile Air
(5) 358 9473
Copair
(5) 358 4261
Transportation Policy: National Police phone assistance:
A Volunteer/Trainee should carry a photocopy of his/her passport,
but not the actual passport. It is actually against the law to walk the
streets in Colombia without proper I.D., but a copy will suffice in most
situations. The Colombian Cedula is the only legal document needed to carry
and show. One should never hand over ones passport to anyone who does
not produce a convincing official government I.D.
146
147
148
The route between Barranquilla and Cartagena is well maintained and safe.
There are two routes but the only approved route for Volunteer/Trainee travel
is the coastal road (Via al Mar). The second route is La Cordialidad, which is
not CD approved, and requires special approval from the CD when travel is
deemed necessary.
There is only one road between Barranquilla and Santa Marta. The route
takes the traveler through urban and crowded neighborhoods, and traffic can
be very heavy when entering or leaving Barranquilla. It should also be noted
that the neighborhoods on the outskirts of Barranquilla are high crime areas.
The traveler should not make stops and be alert when passing through the
areas of *Soledad,*El Bosque, *Chinita, *La Luz and *Rebolo. (Travel on this
route is limited to daytime travel, since nighttime travel involves undo risk
and is therefore not allowed.)
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is generally considered the safest of the three major cities of the
coastal region. There is little to no pandilla activity, but there is a presence of
drug trafficking and organized BACRIM groups. The northern parts of the city
are typically less safe; and the following areas should be avoided due to a
heightened risk of crime.
Danger Zones in Santa Marta
*11 de Noviembre (known to be the
area
where
many
of
the
demobilized guerillas live)
*Pando
*Maria Eugenia
*Pastrana
*San Martin
*Bastidas
*Juan XXIII
*Chimila
*San Fernando
*La Encenada
*San Jorge
*Nacho Vives
*Bolivariana
*17 de Diciembre
*San Martin
*El Pantano
*El Oasis
*Las Murallas
*La Teneria
*Correa
*Tayrona
*Gaira (PNC advised that this place
is safe
enough to work but due to
increased drug trafficking, and
drug and alcohol abuse, not a
desirable place to live)
Travel to this area requires prior CD approval. When travel is approved, the
traveler must comply with a PC/Colombias monitoring requirement by
sending a text message on a daily basis to the Duty Officer or SSC. Entrance
fee to the park is currently 35,000 pesos (approx. $16.00 USD). Van
transportation to the park costs 5,000 pesos and is available at Carrera 16
and Calle 14 (Avenida Libertador) near the Villa Country mall. In addition,
vans are available at Carrera 11 with Calle 11 near El Mercado.
Safe Zones in Santa Marta
Nightlife: Historic Center near downtown area.
Beach: The preferred and safest options are approximately 20 minutes
outside the city at Rodadero and Taganga - communities frequented by
backpackers and scuba divers.
Barranquilla
Barranquilla with a population over 1.8 million is a much larger city than
Santa Marta, and therefore, has more inner-city urban and industrial areas
that present higher risks for visitors. Barranquilla also experiences powerful
flash-flooding during the rainy season, closing roads and carrying debris
through the streets. Travelers should pay close attention to road conditions
and avoid flash-flood areas, when storms occur. Barranquilla also has a
presence of pandillas, BACRIM and drug activity. The Municipality of Soledad,
located near the airport in the southern area of Barranquilla, is considered a
particularly dangerous area.
Arroyos in Barranquilla
Barranquilla lacks a drainage system, and the city often comes to a halt
during a storm. Some of its streets can turn into flash floods, strong enough
to drag vehicles. When cars or people are avoiding an area, one must do the
same and wait until the waters recede.
Danger Zones in Barranquilla:
Barrios
*La Paz (This is a squatter
settlement,
which
has
been
deemed safe enough to live and
work in, but is surrounded by high
crime barrios.)
*Evaristo Sourdis
*Los Rosales
*Las Malvinas
*La Chinita
*Rebolo
*Barlovento
*El Bosque
*Ciudad Modesto
*Los Angeles
*Los Olivos Segunda Etapa
*La Cangrejal sector (lower end of
La Playa)
*Cuchilla de Villa
*Villa Flor
* Siape
considered
an
dangerous area)
*Marlinda
*Villa Gloria
*Paseo Bolivar
*El Pozon
*Fredonia
*Las Americas
*Las Lomas
*La Esperanza
*Pie del Cerro
* La Campia
* Castillete
*La Maria
extremely
SANTAMARTA
SANTAMARTA
MINCA
MINCA
BARRANQUILLA
PEACECORPS
Colombia
(TAYRON
(TAYRO
Tubar,Pioj,CampodelaCruz,JuandeAcosta,Suan.Others:PuertoColombia,SalgarandSantaVernica)
Guajira
Guajira
Atlntico
Atlntico
Magdalena
Magdalena
CARTAGENA
CARTAGENA
(TierraBomba,CaodeOro,LaBoquilla,Pasacaballos,ManzanillodelMar)
(Bar,TierraBomba,CaodeOro,Turbacoy
Sucre
Sucre
Crdoba
Crdoba
Cesar
Cesar
Bolvar
Bolvar
Nortede
Nortede
Santander
Santander
Santander
Santander
Antioquia
Antioquia
BUCARAMANGA
MEDELLN
MEDELLNBUCARAMANGA
BUCARAM
BUCARAM
Arauca
Arauca
BOYAC
BOYAC
Choc
Choc
Boyac
Boyac
Caldas
Caldas
Risaralda
Risaralda
Cundinamarca
Cundinamarca
Quindo
Quindo
BOGOT
BOGOT
Valle
Valle
Tolima
Tolima
del
del
CALI
CALI
Meta
Meta
Cauca
Cauca
MEDELLIN*
SouthernAntioquia*
COFFETRIANGLE*
CALI*
Cauca
Cauca
Casanare
Casanare
Vichada
Vichada
CUNDINAM
BOGOT
BOGOT
Guaina
Guaina
Huila
Huila
Nario
Nario
Guaviare
Guaviare
Putumayo
Putumayo
Caquet
Caquet
Vaups
Vaups
LETICI
LETIC
SITES
Whereaboutsovernight
ONLYCITY
DEPARTAMENTO
*TravelRequestForm
(TAYRONA)COSTACARIBE
153
Amazonas
Amazonas
154
155
other senior staff have the responsibility to investigate it. We all need to get
away occasionally, but if you feel you must leave your community frequently,
something is not working, and you have the personal and professional
responsibility to seek counsel from a Peace Corps staff member. Sometimes
a staff or fellow Volunteer visit will help energize or refocus you on the
possibilities for expanded involvement in your home community.
The reason for the Whereabouts Policy and the Annual Leave Policy is to
ensure that we are fulfilling our commitment to serve the people of
Colombia, that your experiences is as full and rewarding as possible, and that
we are able to locate you for safety and security reasons or in the event of
an emergency. Therefore, we all must take these policies very seriously. All
violations will be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including
immediate separation from the Peace Corps.
Time Away from Community
We recognize there are appropriate reasons for Volunteers to occasionally be
away from their communities. Reasons include, but are not limited to:
Participate in functions sponsored by Peace Corps, such as in-service
trainings (ISTs), project workshops and conferences.
Visit Barranquilla or other locations related to work, project, training,
administrative and medical reasons.
Take care of personal needs including: personal shopping, checking email, mentally re-energize, visit other Volunteers and/or Colombian
colleagues and friends, and attend local cultural events.
Visit other sites within Colombia to provide or benefit from professional
development with fellow Volunteer and Colombian colleagues.
Visit other sites within Colombia to better appreciate Colombia and its
culture.
Conduct
assignment-related
travel
required
by
your
host
agency/organization.
Take annual leave vacation in order to come back to your primary
assignment with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Go on medical leave or medical hold.
Take care of emergencies that may arise back in the U.S.
II.
157
158
Barranquilla and Santa Marta, but not outside of this area and you must to
inform to whereabouts if you visit them overnight.
If you feel a desire or need to be away from your community frequently then
you should talk with your Project Manager to examine your work activities
and community integration. From experience, when Volunteers think they
may be away from their community too much, then they probably are.
In summary, the purpose of this policy is to be able to locate you in case of
an emergency or a safety and security issue.
We take our responsibility seriously to notify you immediately if there is an
emergency in your family or if there is an issue affecting your safety and
security. PC/HQ and often your families expects us to know where you are
at all times. We need your cooperation to do this.
Your Accountability for Notifying Peace Corps of Your Whereabouts
Who to Notify
In all cases, it is the responsibility of the Volunteer to inform their host family
and the PC/Colombia Barranquilla office if they are going to be away from
their home/community overnight or multiple nights.
The email for notification is whereabouts@co.peacecorps.gov. Alternative
you can call or text the duty officer with your whereabouts: 312-451-4301.
When to Notify
Prior to departing your site and knowing that you will be spending one or
more nights away from your home/community a Volunteer must call by
phone or text message or email their whereabouts to the PC/Colombia office.
This means that for any reason personal, work, medical, IST, PST, safety
and security, brigade work, professional exams, etc., and including at the
start and end of pre-approved annual (vacation) leave a Volunteer who
leaves their community for one or more nights, must notify the Peace Corps
office of their absence from their community and of their whereabouts. [All
departures from Colombia must be pre-approved. See the Annual Leave
Policy.]
If a Volunteer departs their community with the intention of returning back to
their home that same day, but then finds that, for whatever reason, they will
be away from their community that night, they must contact the
PC/Colombia office or the Duty officer if necessary and provide the above
detailed information. They should also let their host family know that they
are going to be away longer than anticipated.
159
If a Volunteer finds that for whatever reason they are not going to return to
their community on the day they had originally communicated they would,
they must contact the PC/Colombia office or the Duty officer if necessary and
provide a new return date and update any contact information as may be
necessary. They should also let their host family know that they are going to
be away longer than anticipated.
Please note that ANYTIME you are out of site overnight you must notify, even
when you are at PC-Sponsored events. It is not the staffs responsibility to
report your whereabouts if PC-Colombia has asked you to come into the
office or attend a training. It is yours.
What Notification Information to Provide
Volunteers must provide the following information, when notifying the
PC/Colombia office of their whereabouts when they are absent from their
community:
all locations (aligned with the dates) they will be at while they are
away from their community
160
How to Notify
PC/Colombia has designated Duty officer phone number 312-451-4301 as its
official
whereabouts
phone
number
and
whereabouts@co.peacecorps.gov as the official whereabouts email
address.
Methods for communicating your whereabouts with PC/Colombia include:
During PC/Colombia work days and hours (8:00am 5:00pm) you may
call 385-1060 to provide your whereabouts information. When you call
the office, explain that you are calling to provide your whereabouts info
and the SSC or other staff person will take down the above detailed
information. If you would like, the staff person will call you back. After
hours, call the Duty Officer to provide the required information.
At any time, you may send a text message to 312-451-4301. You must
provide all the required information.
At
any
time,
you
may
send
an
email
to
whereabouts@co.peacecorps.gov. You must provide all the required
information.
If you send an email or a text message and you have not provided all the
required information, then you have NOT fully complied with your notification
responsibility. You must provide all required information.
This notification process is not negotiable. If you do not comply with this
process, disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including administrative
separation.
Consequences If You Dont Notify
We expect all Volunteers to be honest, forthright, and professional about
their time away and notify the PC/Colombia office about their time away from
their community.
If you leave your community and do not notify the PC office of your
whereabouts, the consequences are severe. A Volunteers failure to report
his or her whereabouts in accordance with PC/Colombia procedures may be
grounds for administrative action up to and including administrative
separation from Peace Corps.
For example (but not limited to this), if you are away from your community
and have not reported your whereabouts, and an emergency event occurs or
a communication test is conducted, or you have not returned to your
community at the time that you have stated you would, you will likely be
administratively separated.
Note that Peace Corps policy states that
Volunteers who are not where they have stated they will be considered
161
missing.
This includes Volunteers who have not returned to their
community on their specified return date.
If you are not administratively separated, disciplinary action may include:
continued service only under conditions outlined in individualized
performance improvement plan
being restricted from traveling to certain places and/or at certain times
the requiring of pre-approval of all future absences from community prior
to departure from community
staff not providing letters of recommendation and references for future
employment and graduate school admission
e. Visitors
In order to foster integration into a PCVs new site, the PCs worldwide policy
discourages vacations during the first three months of service. PC/CO also
discourages international visitors during the first three months of service
(after training), and suggests that families and friends delay visits until six
months after the PCV has sworn-in for service. Consistent with PC world-wide
policy not permitting non-married couples to serve together, PC/CO will also
not permit non-PCV significant others to establish permanent residence
with the PCV during service.
When parents and relatives visit a PCV, the time spent in-site is not counted
as vacation time provided the Volunteer continues with a normal work
program, but time spent outside the site (even if still in the country) is
considered to be vacation. Long-term stays of friends or relatives at
the Volunteers site (over two weeks) are strongly discouraged and
must be approved by the PM.
PCVs are asked to schedule visits from family and friends in such a way that
they do not conflict with events at which Volunteers must participate, such
as In-Service Trainings.
III.
162
Your
vacations
and
plans
should
Peace Corps Manual Section 220 states the following with regards to
Volunteer Annual Leave.
-
Volunteers accrue two days of annual leave allowance for each month
of Volunteer service.
Annual leave must be taken any time a Volunteer travels out of the
country of assignment for vacation purposes. Annual leave for out-ofcountry travel is computed in terms of calendar days, including
weekends and host country and U.S. holidays. The day after departure
from the country of assignment through the day of return to the
country of assignment are counted as annual leave days.
The
computation of annual leave days does not include the necessary
minimum time to travel between the Volunteers site and the point of
exit out of or entry into the country of assignment.
163
Annual leave cannot be taken in the first three months or the last three
months of service, except when the Country Director approves leave
under special circumstances, or in conjunction with an authorized
emergency leave.
Assuming that a Volunteer serves their full two year tour, this means that
their 48 days of annual leave must be taken between the beginning of
their 4th month of service and the close of their 22nd month of service.
Annual leave may not be taken for three months following a site change.
Leave request forms must be filled out completely with your
designated Colombian supervisors signature and full itinerary prior to
submission.
Annual Leave requests must be received at least fifteen (15) days
prior to your anticipated departure. This means that you must plan well
in advance.
Leave is not permitted during official Peace Corps training events and
conferences at which your presence is mandatory.
Leave will not be granted if it interferes with your primary project related
work. Leave will not be granted when school is in session.
Volunteers are expected to turn in their Volunteer Project Reports, which
may fall due during their annual leave, prior to their departure.
Leave days must be requested and claimed for all travel outside of Peace
Corps Colombias work territory which is the cities of Cartagena,
Barranquilla and Santa Marta.
When a Volunteer is requesting annual leave outside of Colombia, leave
days are counted from the day after the Volunteer departs Colombia
through the day the Volunteer returns to Colombia. This computation is
contingent upon the Volunteer traveling directly from their community to
the point of exit (airport/border/port) from Colombia and returning directly
to their community from the point of re-entry (airport/border/port) into
Colombia. If, as part of their annual leave request, a Volunteer is visiting
locations within Colombia for vacation purposes prior to and/or after their
international travel, these days will be counted as annual leave. Personal
time as described in the Whereabouts Accountability notification policy
cannot be tacked on to international annual leave requests.
When a Volunteer is requesting annual leave wholly within Colombia,
leave days are counted from door to door meaning that it starts when
you leave your community inclusive to when you return to your
community. Personal time as described in the Whereabouts
Accountability notification policy cannot be tacked on to domestic annual
leave requests.
In determining leave days, weekends must be included.
In determining leave days, official Colombian national holidays when
spent in Colombia are not counted. Colombian national holidays spent
outside of Colombia must be counted.
164
permission
grounds
for
Leave days must be requested and counted when friends and relatives
come to Colombia to visit, unless you remain in your community and
honor your work routine and schedule. Days traveling and touring with
your friends and relatives away from your community are considered
annual leave.
Volunteers may not be out of their communities for more than 21 days
consecutively.
A maximum of 24 days of annual leave may be taken during the
Volunteers first year of service. At the one year anniversary of the
Volunteers swearing-in date, the second years 24 days of annual leave
will automatically be advanced.
When your leave occurs in countries where a Peace Corps program exists
(i.e., Ecuador, Peru, Panama, etc.) you will be sent an electronic copy of
that Peace Corps Posts Transportation Policy. You are required to adhere
to that Posts policy when you are in their country.
You are responsible for notifying PC/Colombia via email at
whereabouts@co.peacecorps.gov or the whereabouts phone at (57) 312-4514301, of any delay in your return to your community beyond the date
listed on your leave request form.
While you are on annual leave, if you are going to a country that has
malaria (ask the PCMO if you are not sure), you must take malaria
prophylaxis. If, while you are on leave, you think you have symptoms of
malaria, you should try to contact the PC/Colombia medical unit to advise
them and get guidance. You should also contact the local PC medical unit
if you are in a country that has a PC program. If you are in the U.S. then
you should contact the PC Office of Health Services in Washington, D.C. If
you are in a country that does not have a PC program then you should get
tested by a local doctor.
Some countries may require you to present your WHO card upon arrival.
Your WHO card is kept by the PCMO and you should arrange to obtain it
prior to departure.
is
166
Comunitario:
Colombia
Executive
Assistant
Director del
Sector:
Director del
Cuerpo de Paz:
Executive
Assistant
S O LI CI TU D
DE
Copias
Director del
Sector:
Caja del
Voluntario:
V A CA CI O N E S
Nombre:________________________________________
E-mail:__________________________________________
Fecha:__________________________________________
Fechas de Viaje:
Saldr de mi sitio:
Regresar a mi sitio:
168
SI
Please keep in mind that these computers are Peace Corps-owned and are
shared by many Volunteers, thus they will be different from what you may be
accustomed to either at home or other places of business. The computers
have been set up in a standard way to ensure that the data are secure and
that the computers are stable.
Volunteers should not attempt to change the computer setup in any way,
including installing applications and/or changing settings. Any changes to the
setup in any way may cause instability, security vulnerabilities, licensing
problems, incompatibilities, and other problems that make the computer less
productive for other Volunteers.
If any changes are made, Peace Corps staff will reformat and reconfigure any
computer at any time in order to restore them to the standard setup. If such
action is required, Volunteer data will be lost on that particular
computer and Volunteers may lose access to the computers and/or
the Internet. In order to ensure stable, secure computers for ALL
Volunteers, you must adhere to the following basic guidelines:
169
to
prevent
170
SIGN:_____________________________
DATE:______________________Appendix
VOCABULARY LIST
SURVIVAL
SPANISH
VARN:
Male baby, female baby is niita. Other words for baby are,
nene, beb.
MUJER:
MARIDO:
PADRINO:
Godfather.
MADRINA:
Godmother.
AHIJADO:
LA MUCHACHA:
(Empleada)
171
HIJO DE CRIANZA:An adopted son or daughter, usually not legally, but raised
by the adoptive family. The child may have been
regalado by a relative or friend.
HIJOS NATURALES:
Traditionally used for children born out of wedlock; or
born into the second family of a man.
COMPADRES:
ENGLISH
Buenos das
Buenas tardes
Buenas noches
Hasta luego
Chao, adis
Don
Doa
Seorita
Por favor
Permiso
Gracias
Perdone
Desayuno
Almuerzo
Cena
Comida
Ensalada
Refresco
Cerveza
Sal
Good morning
Good afternoon/evening
Good night
See you later
Bye
Mister
Mrs.
Miss
Please
Excuse me
Thank you
Sorry/Excuse me
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Food/meal
Salad
Soft drink
Beer
Salt
172
Azcar
Agua
Leche
Carne
Huevo
Pan
Caf
Cama
Bao
Silla
Cmo se llama usted?
Cmo se dice...?
Qu es sto?
Dnde est?
Dnde queda...?
Yo necesito
Yo quiero
Yo tengo
Tiene usted...?
Le gusta...?
Me gusta
Tengo hambre/sed
Tengo fro/calor
Yo me llamo...
Cunto cuesta?
Qu hora es?
Qu hay para comer?
Dnde hay...?
Chevere
Sugar
Water
Milk
Meat
Egg
Bread
Coffee
Bed
Bathroom
Chair
What's your name?
How do you say...?
What is this?
Where is...?
Where is...?
I need
I want
I have
Do you have...?
Do you like...?
I like
I'm hungry/thirsty
I'm cold/hot
My name is...
How much is it?
What time is it?
What is there to eat?
Where can I find...?
Cool
173
Adminstrative Separation
APCD
APCD TEL
AVC
CBT
Community-Based Training
CD
Country Director
COS
Director's Office
DMO
DOS
Description of Service
DOW
Description of Work
DPT
EH
Environmental Health
EL
Emergency Leave
174
EOD
Enter on Duty
ET
Early Termination
EXT
Extension
FODA
FY
Fiscal Year
GAD
HC
Host Country
HCA
HCC
HCN
HOR
Home of Record
HQ
Headquarters
IAP
ICE
ICT
In-Country Training
IG
Inspector General
175
IRC
IST
In-Service Training
IT
Information Technology
LCF
LPI
Medevac
Medical Evacuation
MI
Master's International
MOU
Memorandum of Understanding
NGO
P&T
PA
Programming Assistant
PACA
PC
Peace Corps
PC/CO
PC/W
PCMO
PCMS
176
PCPP
PCR
PCRD
PCRV
PCT
PCV
PCVC
PCVL
PD
Position Description
PML
PDM
PLWHA
PSR
PST
Pre-Service Training
PS
Program Specialist
PTS
RA
Readjustment Allowance
177
RL
Regional Leader
RPCV
RSO
RVS
SLF
SPA
SSC
SWOT
TC
Training Class
TCN
TD
Training Director
TEL
TEFL
TESL
TOT
Training of Trainers
Ts
Trainees
TT
Technical Trainer
178
U
UNDP
USAID
VAC
VAD
VS
Volunteer Support
Vs
Volunteers
V/T
Volunteer /Trainee
WFP
WID
Women In Development
WWS
179
____________________________________________________
PCV Name
___________________________________________________
PCV Signature
____________________________________________________
Date
180
Youth camps can be seen as one method for developing the assets and
capabilities of young people with the benefits of Peace Corps 50 years of
experience in the field. In addition to more traditional sports and recreational
activities, training in a camp setting creates a safe learning environment for
youth (often between the ages of 13 and 18) to engage in activities around
leadership, health, language, information and communications technology,
and environmental education. Camps are a culturally accepted and versatile
method of delivering youth-focused training that provides multiple benefits
to youth, local partners and communities.
The Peace Corps-developed youth camp model is intended to strengthen
broad relationship building and participation by both youth and related
communities or organizations. The role of Volunteers is to collaborate with
host-country organizations that sponsor the camp programs; it is not to
assume primary responsibility for organizing or sponsoring camp programs.
Thus, Volunteers may collaborate with local counterparts, teachers, and
NGOs to share responsibility for organizing the camps, to build the planning,
181
182
184
Date completed:
Email:
Cedula #
Cell Phone:
Residence phone:
Address: City:
Barrio:
Department:
Atlantico
Bolivar
Magdalena
Cell Phone:
Cell Phone:
Host Brother
Landline:
Cell Phone:
Host Sister
Landline:
Cell Phone:
Host
Landline:
Cell Phone:
Host
Landline:
Cell Phone:
Cell Phone:
Phone:
Emergency Transportation:
List two people in your community/barrio who have vehicles and who have said they
would be willing to drive you to medical facilities within your site or possibly to
Barranquilla in an emergency? (Peace Corps can reimburse the driver for the cost of
your transport in an emergency)
Name
Relationship
Cell
Landline
1.
2.
Radio Station: What are the radio stations in your city? (Colombian radios: La W &
RCN for emergency messages)
1. FM
2. AM
Other:
National Police Unit (CAI):
Address:
Barrio:
Phone:
186
Name(s) of Traveler(s)
Section
Ext.
Home Telephone
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
DESTINATION:
DEPARTURE DATE AND TIME:
RETURN DATE AND TIME:
TRAVEL:
Official
SUPERVISORS NAME/SECTION:
SUPERVISORS HOME TELEPHONE #:
MODE OF TRANSPORTATION:
AIR/Name of Airline and Flight # (or USG):
CAR/Route:
Make/Model/Color/Year/License Plate #:
NAME/ADDRESS/TELEPHONE # OF
HOTEL:
Notes:
188
Personal
Cell Phone
189