Spring is here after a long winter for many. Hope you all are enjoying warmer weather.

Next month, June,12 2010, India 104 is planning a reunion to mark its 40th year since its departure to continue the Andhra Pradesh Science Teachers' Workshop (STW) Program. India 104 would also like to hear from earlier Andhra STW programs (India 67 and India 30 something) as well as India 120, 121, 122 who did similar work in Bihar, Orissa and UP. Also any RPCVS in the area of the reunion are invited. See inside newsletter and an email to FOI members for details and contact information.

For many months we talked about an all Friends of India Reunion. A modicum of interest was shown. This is due in part to the likely difficulty for many to attend both the FOI reunion this year and the upcoming Peace Corps 50th Year Celebration in October 2011. We therefore decided to have an FOI Reunion in conjunction with the PC 50th Anniversary in Washington DC.

We have been informed that three former India Peace Corps Volunteers died since our last newsletter: James J. Harnett worked in a village-level agriculture program in Karnataka State in the late 1960s. Robert Young, taught English at Osmania University in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh from 1962-64. And Mary Caroline Verhoeven, an India 72 Volunteer worked in village-level agriculture in Karnataka in the late 60s.

James died in January 2010 at the age of 63. He has been described as the "ultimate caregiver" for having helped thousands of Long Islanders in his role as President/CEO of Family & Children's Association, a human care organization. Robert died in February 2010 at the age of 72. His exposure to India led to extensive academic studies in Indian history, and decades of contact with India. Before Robert died, he fully funded tuition for two Indian girls through the latest FOI charity. Mary died at the age of 63. After Peace Corps she earned a Masters in Plant Breeding and worked in that field, guiding countless graduate students throughout her life. Obituaries and photos for Mary, Robert and James are inside the newsletter.

All of us have stories. The lives of these three people represent how Peace Corps helped us to continue contributing to our families, others in the US and elsewhere in the world. It strikes me that the picture of James with others in his geographical area really says it all.. here we come.. or perhaps look where we have been.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Peace Corps 50th Year Celebration, October 2011.