1. MS 285 Attachment A
November 201-3
DESCRIPTION OF PEACE CORPS SERVICE
MR. JACOB GOLDBERG
REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY 2011-2013
After a competitive application process stressing technical skills, motivation, adaptability, and
cross-cultural understanding, Peace Corps invited Mr. Goldberg to serve as an Environmental
Conservation Volunteer in the South American nation of Paraguay
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
Mr. Goldberg began an intensive 10-week pre-service training on September 30, 2011 in
Guarambare, a small sugar processing center located 45 minutes south of the capital,
Asuncion. The program consisted of language training, technical skills training on
Environmental Conservation, and Common Areas training.
The training program included:
• 131 hours of language and cultural training (Spanish/Guarani)
• 28 hours of safety, security and medical training
• 75 hours of CORE or administrative training (orientation to PC service, development
theory, adult education, non-formal education techniques, PACA tools, cross-cultural
adjustment, diversity and other related topics)
• 70 hours oftechnical training (environmental education)
• 96 hours of field work (training events that combine technical, cultural and linguistic
components)
• Mr. Goldberg was also chosen to speak as a representative of his group at the
commencement swearing-in ceremony where the Governor of the Department, the
U.S. ambassador, and host families were present
Assignment
On December 9th, 2011, Mr. Goldberg completed training and was sworn-in as a Peace Corps
Volunteer. He was assigned to Alberdi, a town in the department of Neembucu, roughly 140
km from Asuncion. Spanish is spoken there with Guarani as the primary language used daily.
Environmental Conservation Volunteers work with their communities on environmental
awareness and action. Volunteers work with diverse groups to help them acquire the
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2. Paraguay 2011-2013 Goldberg, Jacob
motivation, skills, habits, and confidence to implement responsible environmental actions in
their communities. Volunteer project activities include: working in local schools to increase
awareness of, and education on, environmental issues with teachers and students; establishing
community and school-based gardens, reforestation, climate change mitigation and adaption,
soil conservation, and the promotion of sustainable tourism as an alternative income­
generating activity.
Primary Projects/Activities
Mr. Goldberg's primary activities included three main ventures: a tree planting project focused
on youth cultivating over 450 trees, trash management capacity building throughout the public
and private schools in Alberdi, and a soil improvement and green manures project with a local
farming commission composed of 43 families.
Planting 450 Native Trees
By completing a community needs assessment with his counterparts upon arrival, Mr.
Goldberg identified a major avenue for interacting and motivating youth in Alberdi. Working
with a local NGO, A Todo Pulm6n, responsible for cultivation of native tree species and
reforestation, Mr. Goldberg helped his community to receive a donation of 450 native trees.
He also arranged and helped lead a lecture given by a forestry specialist from the organization
that had over 50 participants. Incorporating the idea environmental sustainability as well as
personal finance and other benefits to tree cultivation into numerous lectures he gave at every
school in Alberdi and many in the surrounding country side, Mr. Goldberg was able to
successfully motivate both youth and adults to cultivate and care for the donated native trees.
For many, this changed the interaction between them and a common feature of their
environment, leading them to integrate more ecologically sustainable practices, which were
mutually beneficial to their families and to the environment.
Trash Management in Schools
The trash management project, aptly named "Practicing the 3Rs (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle)"
revolved around the implementation of a trash separation system and capacity building
seminars designed to instruct teachers on both proper trash management practices and
motivational techniques to enact positive behavioral change in their students relationships and
their subsequent handling of waste. Mr. Goldberg lobbied on behalf of three schools in the city
(representing over 1100 students and 70 teachers) to the local municipality for financial support
in implementing a trash separation infrastructure. After successfully negotiating for aid, the
following waste management materials were procured through various means: 9 200-liter
plastic barrels for separating glass, metal and paper/cardboard, 12 1.5mX1m iron-mesh
containers for plastic bottle collection, 3 1mX1m vinyl posters describing various waste
materials decomposition life cycles (of Mr. Goldberg's design), and 3 1.5mx1m vinyl posters
detailing trash sorting methods and guidelines (also of Mr. Goldberg's design). In addition to
these materials, valued at over 1000 USD, Mr. Goldberg led multiple capacity building
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3. Paraguay 20U-2013 Goldberg, Jacob
seminars designed to instruct the audiences (including 70+ teachers and 400 students on
separate occasions) on proper trash management, waste materials' life cycles, global warming,
tree planting, and numerous other environmentally themed topics. Mr. Goldberg established
an infrastructural system in all of Alberdi's schools, laying down the foundation for an
interschool competition detailed in his 3Rs program (adapted from other successful volunteer
projects in 2 other sites) and designed to motivate youth into forming different habits in
regards to their relationship to waste and waste management.
Soil Restoration & Organic Fertilizers
Working with the San Calletano Farming Commission, a group of local farmers from Alberdi
and the surrounding countryside, Mr. Goldberg was able to develop and successfully complete
four projects: the implementation and correct use of green manures, proper tree pruning
practices and incorporation of agroforestry systems, future financial planning via the
construction of a tree nursery, and the incorporation of vermiculture in routine agriculture
practice. Upon meeting the group and completing a needs assessment diagnostic with their
leaders, Mr. Goldberg visited and began working alongside the commission in their field.
Working together with the farmers, Mr. Goldberg was able to help them incorporate a new
agroforestry system that both provided shade and increased soil integrity through proper
pruning practices. Working to improve soil quality, Mr. Goldberg introduced two green
manures into the farmers' planting rotation. He helped the commission to develop strategies
to harvest and reuse the seeds, supporting their soil recuperation efforts. One last strategy
that Mr. Goldberg implemented with the commission was the construction of a worm farm,
which the farmers now use to both create high quality organic fertilizer and as a means of
income by selling worms for bait to local fisherman.
SECONDARY ACTIVITIES/PROJECTS
Climate Change/Alternative Energy
Mr. Goldberg completed many side projects, some of which were to assist other volunteers in
their endeavors. One of this projects that was particularly successful was helping to a lead a
climate change and alternative energy seminar aimed at increasing knowledge of the subject
as well as offering strategies to both mitigate and adapt to it. Along with 5 other volunteers,
Mr. Goldberg helped to design and lead a series of lectures for local farmers and tourism
groups surrounded the impacts of climate change and the availabilities and advantages of
alternative and higher efficiency energies used for everything from cooking food to cooling
houses. Using knowledge gained from his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
where he gained a bachelor of science in meteorology, Mr. Goldberg was able to effectively
communicate the scientific aspects and impacts of climate change in an easily understandable
way in multiple languages.
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4. Paraguay 2011-20~3 Goldberg, Jacob
New Waste Management Ordinance
Working together with the president of the city council of Alberdi, Mr. Goldberg helped to
draft a new city ordinance that was designed to address the lack of trash separation and its
resultant consequences for both human and environmental health. By lending his expertise on
environmental impact, Mr. Goldberg was able to aid in the design of regulation and disposal
for various classes of refuse. By incorporating special disposal requirements for hazardous,
dangerous, and special wastes, Mr. Goldberg helped to focus the impact of the legislation to
more precisely target the negative externalities of improper waste disposal. By doing this, Mr.
Goldberg helped to raise awareness that disposal of waste by improper means, usually
burning, affects both the environment and human health.
Landscaping Improvement
Asked again for assistance by the city council, Mr. Goldberg lent his knowledge to a
landscaping project aimed at redesigning a heavily-trafficked thoroughfare. By involving a
small group of youth, Mr. Goldberg was able to help them redesign the area, choosing
appropriate ornamental flowers and helping to plant and maintain them.
Language Skills
Mr. Goldberg achieved an Superior competency level in Spanish during his service and
effectively used Spanish to communicate in his work at school, with his colleagues,
Paraguayan community contacts, and in daily life. In addition, Mr. Goldberg also learned
Guarani, which he used at the marketplace, while traveling and to communicate with his
neighbors.
Mr. Jacob Goldberg finished his Peace Corps service in Paraguay on November 25
th
, 20J-3.
Pursuant to section 5(f) of the Peace Corps Act 22 U.s.C 2504 (f) as amended, any former
volunteer employed by the United States Government following his Peace Corps Volunteer
service is entitled to have any period of satisfactory Peace Corps Volunteer service credited for
purposes of retirement, seniority, reduction in force, leave and other privileges based on length
of federal government service. Peace Corps service shall not be credited toward completion of
the probationary or trial period or completion of any service requirement for career
appointment.
This is to certify in accordance with Executive Order No. ],],103 of 10 April 1963, that Mr. Jacob
Goldberg served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His service in Paraguay ended on
th
November 25 , 2013. He is therefore eligible to be appointed as a career-conditional
employee in the competitive civil service on a non-competitive basis. This benefit under the
Executive Order entitlement extends for a period of one year after termination of the
Volunteer's service, except that the employing agency may extend that period for up to three
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5. Paraguay 2011-2013 Goldberg, Jacob
years for a former Volunteer who enters military service, pursues studies at a recognized
institution of higher learning, or engages in other activities that, in the view of the appointing
authority, warrant extension of the period.
/Q)i...1J. 2v I :>
Date
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Date
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Country Director
Peace Corps Paraguay
Emilyb'nt'ermeyer
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Washington, DC 20S21-3020