Embedded Files
The West Cascade Peace Corps Association funds humanitarian programs from throughout the world that support the goals and ideals of the Peace Corps. We are especially interested in supporting the work of Peace Corps volunteers from Oregon. We encourage Oregon volunteers to include their programs in the Peace Corps Partnership framework and then call this to our attention. Our funding comes from membership dues, fundraising activities, donations, and distributions from the Beryl Brinkman Memorial Fund.
This summer we're asking members to contribute to our special Summer Appeal Fund so that we may double the number of grants we can offer in the coming year.
Building a Pottery School for Cultural and Economic Revitalization
Nolan Carson, PCV, Oiba, Colombia
Hi West Cascades Peace Corps Association,
I'm writing today (May 5) with an update for a Peace Corps Partnership Program grant that the West Cascades Peace Corps Association so generously supported. Over the past few months, we've been able to use the funds we've received to build a fully functional and free ceramics school for the community of Oiba, Colombia. Attached, you'll find a PDF further detailing the progress made.
None of this would have been possible without your support. I'm extremely grateful for your willingness to play such a crucial role in this project as these funds were essential to get this school up and running. Now, we've planted the seed for a successful, thriving ceramics industry in rural Colombia.
If you would like any additional information, please let me know. I have roughly a month left here in Colombia, and I love talking about this project!
Cheers, Nolan Carson
(WCPCA awarded Nolan's project $1,000 in Dec. 2025.)
The ceramic school in Oiba, Colombia. Click here to view a video of a recent ceramics class.
Youth centers like this one in Tiznit are becoming increasingly common in Morocco.
Life Skills Activity Center
Veann L, PCV, Morocco
This project will strengthen opportunities for young people to participate in positive, structured activities outside of school by establishing an activity space equipped with board games and interactive learning materials at a community youth center.
Local youth currently have limited access to organized recreational options and often spend their free time on mobile phones or unstructured pastimes. Through conversations with youth participants and coordination with youth center staff, the need for additional activity resources emerged as an important priority to support engagement and skill development.
The project will supply durable board games and interactive materials that promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving for youth ages eight to fourteen.
WCPCA contributed $500 to Veann's request, and they've reached their funding goal. (Awarded May 2026.)
GLOW Code: Two-Week Summer Camp for Coding, Leadership in NE Albania
Jillian U., PCV, Albania
The Girls Leading Our World with Code (GLOW Code) program aims to create a future where girls and women can develop strong digital leadership skills and expand their opportunities. Beyond coding skills, it seeks to dismantle economic, geographic, and barriers between boys and girls, hindering Albanian girls' full potential. The GLOW Code camp, led by Peace Corps Volunteers and co-led with community counterparts, provides a transformative platform. Girls not only learn coding but also essential leadership skills, establishing a strong foundation for future personal and professional ambitions.
WCPCA contributed $200 to Jillian's request, and they've reached their funding goal of $3600. (Awarded May 2026.)
More about GLOW Code: https://glowcode.org
GLOW Code camps will take place in 13 towns and cities this summer.
Books Within Reach
Naomi T., PCV, The Philippines
Books Within Reach strengthens the school's reading environment by placing books directly in classrooms rather than relying on a single central library space.
The project responds to the lack of a functional library while expanding upon the reading corners already found in many classrooms. Students are eager to read but often cannot easily find materials that match their interests or reading levels, making it difficult to develop steady habits and confidence. This effort spans the entire junior and senior high grades, with plans to equip all thirty-five classrooms with sturdy shelves and a carefully selected collection of age-appropriate books in English and Filipino.
WCPCA contributed $500 to Naomi's request, and they've almost reached their goal of $6900. (Awarded May 2026.)
Dual language reading materials for classrooms when there's no library.
Community Led Library
Zoe M, PCV, South Africa
This project will strengthen literacy outcomes at a rural primary school by creating a functional reading environment that increases daily access to books in two commonly used languages. The school currently lacks a dedicated reading space and has limited age-appropriate materials, limiting learners' opportunities to develop essential skills during the school day.
The project will provide at least 350 books and organize them within existing classrooms using child-friendly shelving to ensure that learners can reach and use materials independently. These classroom-based reading areas will support independent reading, small-group activities, and lesson-integrated literacy practice without adding extra demands on teachers. The spaces do not require major security upgrades, as classrooms are already locked each night and do not have a history of break-ins. And books will be stored in a secured metal lockable cabinet when not in use, and teachers will supervise access during the school day.
WCPCA contributed $500 to Zoe's request, and they've nearly reached their funding goal of $5000. (Awarded May 2026.)
A Solar-Powered Computer Lab in the Mountains of Lesotho
Kinsey Martindale, PCV, Leribe, Lesotho
The Lesotho school where Oregon PCV Kinsey Martindale teaches does not have a computer lab. Nor does their village have electricity. The community is raising funds for a solar-powered facility which'll have at least 8 laptops for teachers and students to learn with. This innovative project focuses on building sustainable digital literacy skills for students, educators, and the broader community. Beyond improving classroom instruction, the lab will give teachers access to expanded educational resources and be open to community members seeking skills to support personal development and workforce entry.
WCPCA contributed $750 to Kinsey's request, and they've now reached their goal of $8300. (Awarded Feb. 2026.)
More about Kinsey: https://www.reachtheworld.org/kinseys-journey-lesotho/traveler-bio
A solar-powered computer lab for a school near Leribe, Lesotho.
Getting Started
Walls Go Up
Roof Goes On
Lab is Complete
Building a Computer Lab in a Kenyan Village
Megan Mastrorilli, PCV, Kenya
Hello, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! I hope this note finds you in good health as you kick off the new year. I'd like to begin by expressing my deep gratitude for your contribution to my Computer Lab Project. This lab could not have gotten off the ground without your support. Second, I would like to give you an update on how your donation is being spent and how the build is going! After receiving the funds in late November, we began building on December 1, 2025. Throughout December, I've managed our budget alongside my counterpart who has hustled hard to gather materials while builders got to work. Just this week, the roof was completed!
With students returning from their long holiday this week, I am so excited for the lab to be complete so we can get to work learning in the new space. We are targeting the end of January for the lab to be finished. Thank you, again, for your contribution that enabled this build to happen. Myself, my students, my school, and my community are all so so grateful. (Awarded Nov. 2025.)
With excitement & gratitude,
Megan
World AIDS Day, Lane County
Jade Lazaris, HIV Alliance, Development Director
WCPCA supports World AIDS Day activities annually. This year we contributed $250 to special programming for clients and education and advocacy for the community at the downtown Farmers Market Pavilion in Eugene on Dec 1.
Thank you card from HIV Alliance.
Student Library and Teacher Training project in Lesotho
Carlton Delgado, PCV, Lesotho
The project seeks to increase learners' access to information through technology at a local school in Lesotho through the establishment of a library equipped with tablets. Like many villages across the country, access to books and libraries is limited.
Based on the community's expressed desire to improve school performance, this project will renovate a room into a small library space for children to access books and learning resources through technology. The space will also serve as a resource for teachers to incorporate technology and alternative teaching methodologies into their lessons. (Awarded July 2025.)
Multipurpose Vehicle for Health Care
Nathaniel Blair, PCV, Sierra Leone
This is Nathaniel Blair, the PCV whose community you helped get a referral vehicle! It feels like just yesterday I was stopping by the meeting at UO getting ready to leave! I wanted to reach out with some photos and videos and with the biggest thank you ever for the donation. Your generosity is so appreciated.
The Tawuya community has been showing off this referral vehicle to anyone and everyone! Some of the photos show the progress and some different angles once it's been finished! The videos are of the commissioning ceremony (that of course was rained out.) Then another of the chiefs showed it to the District Health Medical Team. That team has been so impressed and we hope they are considering replicating the project because of its cost friendliness compared to expensive ambulances. (Awarded January 2025.)
Composting for Gardens & Science Education
Victoria Kunberger, PCV, Nepal
This grant supports the expansion of an existing composting system at a school in rural Nepal to promote sustainability, hands-on environmental education, and waste reduction. This project will increase composting capacity by upgrading infrastructure, adding waste and compost bins, and providing training for students and staff.
Composting will be integrated into the school curriculum through the already established eco club, giving students the opportunity to learn about sustainability through real-life practice. Compost generated will be used in the school garden and for community vegetable cultivation.”
In Nepal, there is no formal garbage collection system. Ongoing support from teachers, students, and community members will be key to maintaining the system and fostering everyday sustainable practices. With active engagement from the school's Eco Club and backing from local stakeholders, the project is designed for long-term impact. The municipal government has expressed interest in adopting this model in additional schools. (Awarded July 2025.)
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