The Foreign Service Journal, January 2013

52 JANUARY 2012 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS On Dec. 4, the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide honored six FS volunteers with the 2012 Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad at a ceremony at the State Department. They are: Bureau of African Affairs: Karl P. Deringer, Kigali Within days of his arrival at post, Karl Deringer, an Eligible Family Member, was inspired by the community in the nearby village of Bwiza. He worked tirelessly to help the villagers—a socially marginalized ethnic group who are descendants of Pyg- mies—become food secure by developing income-gener- ating skills. Karl helped them to establish water collection systems and agricultural terraces while teaching new crop planting techniques, raising rabbits and first-aid. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs: Cassandra D. Brenn, Hanoi In response to growing demand among Vietnamese students for opportunities to learn English, Cassandra Brenn, an EFM, donated her time to organize and lead a regular series of “Conversa- tion Hours” at the American Center in Hanoi. She created a weekly “Culture Connection Series” covering American culture, government, politics Secretary of State Awards Recognize Overseas Volunteers BY GABRIELLE HAMPSON, FAMILY LIAISON OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH OFFICER and history. and contrib- uted articles on Vietnamese culture for the post newslet- ter. Her volunteer efforts furthered cultural exchanges and strengthened relations between the two countries. Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs: Elizabeth Joy Shaffer, Skopje Elizabeth Shaffer, an EFM, used her professional skills as an occupational therapist to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders by pro- viding resources and tools to aid Macedonian children. She designed a public awareness campaign on the impor- tance of early detection and intervention, organized the country’s first autism aware- ness symposium, worked to build the resources of local organizations and helped several schools and private centers acquire specialized sensory motor equipment. Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs: Jan Cote- Cartwright, Tel Aviv Shortly after arriving at post, Information Management Specialist Jan Cote-Cartwright sought out volunteer opportunities. She served as the embassy’s Federal Women’s Program Coordinator and volunteered to assist the Trafficking in Persons portfolio. To raise awareness of the TIP shelters, she collected donations of much-needed household items and established and equippped sewing centers in three of the shelters to provide an income-generating skill to the residents. Her efforts inspired others to get involved. Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs: Charles E. Wright, New Delhi As Regional Medical Officer, Dr. Wright combined his professional skills and personal engagement style by dedicating his free time to benefit the urban poor in New Delhi. He established a medical clinic for patients in need; created a community health program to eradicate anemia in schoolchildren and lobbied national authorities and organizations to address malnutrition; formed a group of doctors to teach trauma care; and mentored the high school medical club, SCRUBS. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs: Amy L. Zimmerman, Brasilia Amy Zimmerman, an EFM, brought nourishment and education to disadvantaged children in Greater Brasilia through her program Project T.E.A.C.H,, which translates into bringing education, nourishment and hope. She DONNAAYERST Left to Right: Dr. Charles E. Wright, New Delhi; Tom Gallagher, retired FSO, winner of the 2012 Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award; Jan Cote-Cartwright, Tel Aviv; Elizabeth Joy Shaffer, Skopje; Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns; Cassandra D. Brenn, Hanoi; Amy Zimmerman, Brasilia; Karl P. Deringer, Kigali; and Debbi Miller, AAFSW volunteer and winner of the 2012 Lesley Dorman Award.