Support Peace Corps
Since 1961, more than 240,000 American Peace Corps Volunteers have provided assistance in 142 country partners fulfilling requests for assistance. Peace Corps Volunteers and their work have changed innumerable lives for the better through projects that range from developing fish hatcheries to connecting patients to life-saving medical treatments.
I know firsthand the impact the Peace Corps has, because I served in Azrou, Morocco, working in small-business development with artisans working on traditional crafts such as rug-wearing, rock-carving, metal-working and woodworking. It was important to keep traditions alive while introducing the artisans to 21st century markets and opportunities.
The original Peace Corps Act was signed into law in September 1961 by President Kennedy. The Peace Corps Act has not been updated and reauthorized for more than 20 years.
Recently, Democrats and Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee came together and passed H.R. 1456 by a vote of 44-4. And the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed its version of the legislation by a voice vote with no opposition. Congress must update and reauthorize the Peace Corps Act now.
Now is the time to capitalize on this bipartisan momentum and pass this needed legislation. As of this September, 470 Peace Corps Volunteers have returned to service in 23 countries, and more volunteers are preparing to leave for service.
Please join me and the 1500 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers across Hawaii and write to our four Congressional representatives, urging them to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act this year. Coming together to support and improve the Peace Corps is an important step toward deepening our nation’s commitment to service and our nation’s highest ideals.
Sharon Keld
Advocacy coordinator,
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawaii
Abortion access
On June 24, Roe v. Wade got overturned, which lets states choose whether they want to outlaw abortions or not. About 12 states have made it illegal.
Many people need this procedure because sometimes they have health/medical problems or can’t afford to care for the child and are unable to pay medical bills.
In the article “Roe v. Wade ruling disproportionately hurts black women, experts say, ” Nandita Bose states that women who are forced to have a baby are likely to go into poverty and experience financial distress.
Access to abortion is so important for people with health/medical problems or who aren’t financially ready to have a child.
Making abortions illegal doesn’t make them go away. There will be many deaths caused by unsafe abortions.
Recently, there was a case where a little girl around the age of 10 became pregnant as a result of a rape, and the state she lived in wouldn’t let her get an abortion. They are forcing a child to have a child.
The ruling shows the Supreme Court believes that women do not have the rights to their own bodies.
If you want to help people in need of this care and get the procedure, you can donate to many foundations that help people get abortion pills and travel safely to get an abortion.
For example, Midwest Access Coalition helps people travel to, from and within the Midwest to access a safe legal abortion with support in travel coordination, costs, lodging, food, medicine and emotional support.
In Hawaii, this may not be a problem for us yet, but this could happen to us any day, because abortion is no longer federally protected. Abortion should be accessible everywhere.
Kainani Batacan Brighter
Honoka‘a