During PC: My wife, Beverly Andrews, and I joined the Peace Corps in 1977. We were part of the last Brazilian group, one that numbered about 80. Two years later in 1979, the Brazilian government decided to not authorize the entry of new Volunteers. A handful of volunteers were asked to stay on for an additional year to maintain a Peace Corps presence while a diplomatic agreement was being worked out. At the end of that year in 1980, no agreement had been made. The few remaining Volunteers left and the Brazilian Peace Corps offices were closed. Beverly and I had a son, Andy, in Brazil, born in Salvador in 1978. I worked at an agricultural high school and Beverly worked with abandoned children in Aracaju, Sergipe. As an incredible coincidence, I received notice of this web site last week, just as I was returning from a trip to Brazil. I saw some of the current school staff that were either students or staff when I lived and worked there. We moved to Campino Grande, Paraíba for the last year of our stay to work at another agricultural high school. I also worked there for the Department of Droughts, developing alternative energy projects. We returned to Brazil in Jan 81.
After PC: Shortly after we returned to the US, I started school in Oregon State Univ. and completed an MS in plant breeding. We had another child, Jessica. Beverly was diagnosed with Leukemia during that pregnancy and passed away about a year later. We moved to Kansas, where I completed a Ph.D. in plant breeding. My subsequent job with Pioneer Hi Bred took me to Australia to work as a sorghum breeder. Sort of a Peace Corps assignment with pay! I have moved onto breeding tomatoes in Calif. Andy is now 21 and completing college. I reside with my daughter, 18, in Davis, CA. Ira Stein Davis, CA
August 2000 Follow up e-mail: Just read that you are in Goiania. I was just there 3 weeks ago, as well as Brasilia, Aracatuba, Itumbiara, Patos de Minhas, and Aracaju. Whew, quite a trip. Looking at tomatoes mostly, but also visiting my extended family in Aracaju. There are a couple of them that would love to think about coming to the US for college sometime. Can you get me some very general info on your education program? What to qualify, what about finances? Too bad I got your note too late to get together. I will probably be there next year. |
