W&M graduate killed while volunteering in Africa

Family members of a Peace Corps worker who was found dead in the west African nation of Benin said she lived to help people and was optimistic but not naive.

[357 Gal]

That is so awful. At least she was living her dream. Rest in peace.

[Tidewater 757]

Sorry about the family's tragic loss. Why do Americans continue to go overseas to volunteer, give handouts, and etc. There are plenty of homeless and needy people here that could more than use a helping hand. Whens the last time you saw another country helping all of our needy citizens other than Obama.

[Pam]

My prayers go out to her family. You know she was doing what she loved most in life, helping others and making a difference. I hope that you will see the evidence of her kind spirit to others. As parents, you have instilled something in your children that most parents don't know about or how to share it with others. I pray that she did not die invane.

[Poq Mom]

Tidewater 757 wrote:

Sorry about the family's tragic loss. Why do Americans continue to go overseas to volunteer, give handouts, and etc. There are plenty of homeless and needy people here that could more than use a helping hand. Whens the last time you saw another country helping all of our needy citizens other than Obama.

What a sad story, but what an amazing young woman.

In response to Tidewater 757's comment...there are people all over this world that need help, in places that don't even have a fraction of the resources that our country has. That is why Americans continue to go overseas to help people - because these people have no way of helping themselves.

[JohnnnyG]

An amazing lady!

[Patriot]

Poq Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
What a sad story, but what an amazing young woman.
In response to Tidewater 757's comment...there are people all over this world that need help, in places that don't even have a fraction of the resources that our country has. That is why Americans continue to go overseas to help people - because these people have no way of helping themselves.

Living in your well off state I guess you are blind to the deep poverty and despair right here in sections of our own country. These do-gooders would well be doing the right thing by helping their own countrymen, women and children. These overseas efforts do nothing to help the citizens of the U.S. and drain resources that are needed here.

[Richard Harris]

So much for the belief in and the rewards of altruism. A very unnecessary loss.

[NN Observer]

Patriot wrote:

<quoted text>
Living in your well off state I guess you are blind to the deep poverty and despair right here in sections of our own country. These do-gooders would well be doing the right thing by helping their own countrymen, women and children. These overseas efforts do nothing to help the citizens of the U.S. and drain resources that are needed here.

Your bitterness is truly ugly.

[Truth]

My prayers are with this young woman and her family.

Virginia is a right to work state, unlike Michigan that has seen it's ruination by unions.

Patriot wrote:

<quoted text>
Living in your well off state I guess you are blind to the deep poverty and despair right here in sections of our own country. These do-gooders would well be doing the right thing by helping their own countrymen, women and children. These overseas efforts do nothing to help the citizens of the U.S. and drain resources that are needed here.

[Gaelic Sookie]

I had a realtive that joined the Peace Corps after graduating Duke University- they sent him to Peru ...when he returned his entire personality was hindered by the lack of safety and the harm that came tothe volunteers in the Corps. He never would talk about the good or bad regarding his time there in Peru.

The Peace Corps needs to step up and have the security for these good people volunteering their time and lives.

Prayers to the family.

[Returned Volunteer]

If you want to do some good in this world, check out the Peace Corps. It's dirty and sometimes dangerous work in places most people avoid, but the rewards last a lifetime.

[Lil757]

Poq Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
What a sad story, but what an amazing young woman.
In response to Tidewater 757's comment...there are people all over this world that need help, in places that don't even have a fraction of the resources that our country has. That is why Americans continue to go overseas to help people - because these people have no way of helping themselves.

Yes, there is no infrastructure.

God bless her and her family...

[hampton curmudgeon]

Deepest sympathy to the friends and family on their terrible loss.

What was represented on the TV News was the joy she brought to hundreds of native children.

[Returned Volunteer]

There's no security. The Peace Corps gives you some training and inserts you in country and then says goodbye. Usually you rotate into a project when another volunteer is leaving.
Sometimes you must organize things from scratch.

The thrill comes when you deliver your first baby.

Gaelic Sookie wrote:

I had a realtive that joined the Peace Corps after graduating Duke University- they sent him to Peru ...when he returned his entire personality was hindered by the lack of safety and the harm that came tothe volunteers in the Corps. He never would talk about the good or bad regarding his time there in Peru.
The Peace Corps needs to step up and have the security for these good people volunteering their time and lives.
Prayers to the family.

[Harry Morant]

I am guessing that she was not carrying a firearm for personal protection...are you?

[Poq Mom]

Patriot wrote:

<quoted text>
Living in your well off state I guess you are blind to the deep poverty and despair right here in sections of our own country. These do-gooders would well be doing the right thing by helping their own countrymen, women and children. These overseas efforts do nothing to help the citizens of the U.S. and drain resources that are needed here.

No, I am not blind to the deep poverty and despair in this country. Of course there are people that need help here. But to believe that we should only help our own when there are people on this planet that are starving to death, without mdeical care or even safe drinking water is incredibly selfish. They are people too. We have enough resources to help others as well as our own.

[violetkisses79]

This is terrible. I still have no idea why we send volunteers to other countries that do not want us there and risk their lives. They can stay in the U.S. and do the same volunteering. I know we should help other people out, but when things like this happen you have to ask at what cost...

[Returned Volunteer]

Peace Corps volunteers are not allowed to have guns or any kind of radio that can transmit

[Returned Volunteer]

The host country requests Peace Corps volunteers.
Be assured Newport News is much more dangerous than most places the Peace Corps goes. Those who are interested in staying in the USA there is the Americorps/Vista program http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vist...
I was posted to New Guinnea. There was no crime.

violetkisses79 wrote:

This is terrible. I still have no idea why we send volunteers to other countries that do not want us there and risk their lives. They can stay in the U.S. and do the same volunteering. I know we should help other people out, but when things like this happen you have to ask at what cost...

[Larry]

357 Gal wrote:

That is so awful. At least she was living her dream. Rest in peace.

OK, tragedy. But come on people, why don't you ever hear of a black or W & M white or 'any' student, going to the poor white in Applachian Mountains?
Why is it we have to feel guilty as white eople to go 1000s of miles to save an AIDS infested race? We have our own people hurting. Hillary sent them billions alreay we don't have. Let's rebuild and restore the homes of dirt poor white kids who have nothing, literally.