Murdered Peace Corps Volunteer Blogged from Benin

by Fred Miller | March 15, 2009 at 11:01 pm

5524 views | 60 Recommendations | 11 comments

The power of International Newsvideo usually surpasses that of reporting via printed and transcripted media.

A direct example of this is the report filed by an off-air reporter named Kirit Radia who blogs for ABC News. His blog dated March 12th has been
slow to find its way to major news publications, probably due to the fact that the incident he reported occurred in Badjoude, Benin, situated in a remote part of West Africa. The incident involves the death of Catherine 'Kate' Puzey, a young Peace Corps volunteer stationed there as an English teacher
at a rural public school.

Today the Peace Corps identified the victim of this week's tragedy in west Africa as 24-year-old Catherine "Kate" Puzey of Cumming, Ga.

Puzey was found dead outside her home Thursday in a small village in the western African nation of Benin. There is still official no word on the circumstances of her death, though officials say it appears she had been murdered.

Puzey had been a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin since July 17, 2007, almost two years ago. She was an English teacher in the small village of Badjoude, about six hours north of Benin's capital by car. A memorial for her will be held in the capital city of Conotou on Monday.

As a Blogger, I immediately sought to read the last Blog post of this 24-year-old girl, in order to get a glimpse into the life of a young American female who would sacrifice the 'American Dream' to survive instead in a hut without running water and electricity.

What I found was a Blogpost dated October 2008, entitled, 'What A Summer !' The Blog is now fittingly immortalized as some of the last published words of a smart, beautiful, fun-loving, selfless and genuine young woman.

In my opinion, the entire Blog now has the makings of a novel, screenplay and film, so colorful and strong are her words - and pictures.

Because she wished to record the details of her life with her family, friends and neighbors, the photos she uploaded still exist at her albums on Google's Picasaweb. I have uploaded only a few pics from those albums because they offer revealing insights into her life in Benin, but there are thousands more in the collection which hopefully will remain available for all to view and cherish - unless someone decides to deprive us of this, her legacy. I personally feel she realized the great amount of personal dedication, sacrifice and responsibility involved in her relation with the Peace Corps, and that she chose to share her contribution with the world through her words, deeds and photos.

Catch the web albums while you can, and also read Kate Puzey's
final Blog posting at http://beinginbenin.blogspot.com/

Deep gratitude and kudos to Boing Boing's illustrious blogger and
my favorite Flickr contact Xeni Jardin for first bringing this story to the world via her Flickr photos.

There are currently 100 Volunteers serving in Benin. Over 1,631 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Benin since the program was established in 1968.

I believe the Peace Corps deserve greater recognition for their involvement during these times of heightened Global awareness of Poverty and the need for greater Education of the masses.

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duo

at 01:26 on March 16th, 2009

Thank you for introducing us to Kate. My condolences to her family, friends, and those she helped.

janice99

at 07:55 on March 16th, 2009

sad, may her soul rest in piece

Fred Miller

at 08:51 on March 16th, 2009

Thank you, Janice for reading and Recommending. Good luck to you in your studies !

Fred Miller

at 15:17 on March 16th, 2009

Here is a viewer comment on Photo 2 which I decided to share with everyone :

To the family and friends of Kate:

I just heard of the loss of your dear Kate. My daughter is currently a PCV in Niger, West Africa. I know how proud you must be of her dedication to the work she chose to do. Your daughter, as mine, are unique in their ability to care and give of themselves for those less fortunate. Your daughter, I'm sure has changed the lives of so many people she touched. Be comforted in knowing she lived doing what she loved.

Warmly,

Carol

Cheryl Falletti (not verified)

at 17:20 on March 17th, 2009

my heart aches for her parents, my son is in the Peace Corps in West Africa and I feel for them..what a beautiful person she was., God must have needed her very much.

Fred Miller

at 17:35 on March 17th, 2009

Thank you Cheryl for sharing your feelings with the world. I think it is so important to let everyone know that there are so many Mothers out there who are missing their children. Children who have chosen to be unsung heroes, quietly toiling to make life better for those less fortunate than themselves.

Fred Miller

at 08:17 on March 18th, 2009

On photo # 5
Carla Shank (not verified)

at 00:29 on March 18th, 2009

For those of us who knew Kate growing up here on Okinawa a beautiful light has been extinguished, and we cannot wish her back. She was cruelly deliberately taken from the world on March 10 and was found lifeless near her home. What we can do is try an emulate her life so-well lived. I believe service to others was a hallmark of her short , memorable life. She was smart, friendly and dedicated to her studies and learning about other cultures-a true global citizen. She was loved and adored by her parents and brother. She will truly be missed by all who knew her. I think others should not be deterred from joining the PEACE CORPS, but instead think of the role model that Kate was and her willingness to live life to the fullest.

Carla Shank shankdee@hotmail.com

Fred Miller

at 08:19 on March 18th, 2009

Such stirring words ! Thank you Carla for reading and sharing your thoughts. I hope you will spread the news as I am trying to. Your comment and all other photo comments will appear below the main article comments.

Shankdee (not verified)

at 03:46 on March 19th, 2009

There is still quite a distance in the facts surrounding the almost mysterious death of Kate Puzey, the young vibrant Peace Corps Volunteer. Thanks Fred. . . for you and many other bloggers have taken this news to heart and have touched hundreds, in the thousands actually with Kate's precious life. It is amazing how you bloggers keep up, but you do. Thanks again, Fred.

Fred Miller

at 07:51 on March 22nd, 2009

You all are welcome, all PCVs, friends and families ! Something of value has been added to my life's journey that I can look back at and say gave me a new sense of awareness regarding you all. And I am the better for it.

Fred Miller

at 07:47 on March 22nd, 2009

Thanks go out to Lynnie, a new NP member as a result of this article

lynnie
3 hours ago PCV

To Family and Friends of Katy,
I am also a mother of a PCV serving in Paraguay South America. My son, Eric is 23 and has been a PCV since May 2008. Every day I read stories about PCV around the world. My sympathies for all who loved Katy, she was an amazing person who will be remembered by many people who never new her until this tragedy. May we all bless all the PCV who have given up their lives to selflessness, to help others less fortunate.
My heart and prayers are with all of you.
Lynn