1. Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic
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Description of Service
Summary:
Roberto Hernandez
Kyrgyz Republic: 2007-2009
Roberto Hernandez served as a Sustainable Organized Community Development (SOCD) Volunteer in
the Kyrgyz Republic from 2007 to 2009. During his service he has managed to achieve one of the
highest levels of spoken Russian at post, procure 25 sewing machines for the women's sewing
cooperative from an international donor, and educate locals in a number of areas such as
computers, business planning, and English Language.
Training:
From July ih to September 21st, Roberto received an intensive three month training course which at
times included up to 16 hour days of Language, Cross-Culture, and Technical sessions totaling over
300 hours.
Site Activities:
Exposed Corruption and Prevented Theft at local NGO
Roberto's first assignment in the fall of 2007 was working for a legal resource center which was
supposed to be helping local governments in their knowledge of the rapidly changing Kyrgyz legal
system. Not long after arrival he discovered through the NGO's accounting books, that it was a front,
embezzling both local Kyrgyz governmental funds and international aid from the European Union.
Roberto alerted the authorities in the local government to this, which they acted on by taking his
advice and moving all valuable office equipment into an adjacent office across the street. Before the
corrupt counterpart fled the country she had made one more attempt to steal anything she could
from the office. Thanks to Roberto's advice the value of items stolen totaled less than ten dollars. To
this day the counterpart has a pending suit against her for the thousands of dollars embezzled at
that organization.
Computer Training
In the spring of 2008 Roberto started a Computer Training class along side his local counter part
Maries, in order to educate locals on computers. Everything from their basic use to advanced
operation and even web design was covered during the four month course during which all thirty
computers available were always occupied by eager students.
Youth Oriented Summer Camps
During the summer of 2008 Roberto participated in over four youth oriented camps, which included
themes such as cultural diversity, bride kidnapping, tolerance, studying abroad, general and
reproductive health, self defense, gender roles, and safety. One of these camps was organized and
run by Roberto in Cholpon-Ata which targeted troubled young boys, in an effort to inform them of
the importance of education and to treat women as equals, both of which seriously plague male
youth in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Business Planning
Through out the course of his service Roberto on numerous occasions provided individual business
consultation with regard to western style planning, accounting, and implementation of business
304 Chokmorova St., Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 72001O; Tel: (312) 65-12-32, Fax: 65-03-62
Kb1Prbl3CKaSI Pecny611J,1Ka, 720010, r. 61-1w KeK, yA. 4oKMOpoaa, 304; TeA: (312) 65-12-32, cj)aKC: 65-03-62

2. ideas. Many of these individuals went on to open bakeries, English schools, small grocery shops, and even
hotels, using the skills they gained from Roberto. In addition to this he planned, organized, and taught a
business skills seminar, to impoverished women in Cholpon-Ata receiving material aid from his host
organization.
Material Aid Distribution
Since the Spring of 2008 Roberto has officially been working for the "Strengthening Families Project", a
subsidiary of the Austrian based SOS-Kinderdorf International. Part of his job included distributing and
coordinating logistics for the over $1500 worth of food stuffs that were given out on a monthly basis. This
often required calling several distributors, finding the best prices, securing transport, and maintaining an
orderly process in the chaos of over 90 families trying to collect aid at once.
English course
The Cholpon-Ata English course was a tradition among volunteers in the area. When Roberto first arrived
the course consisted of a very informal talking club structure that consisted of two groups and about 8-12
students. Seizing on the huge demand for English language instruction, Roberto began a vigorous
restructuring of the course which raised enough money to cover all costs incurred, expanded the course to
included three different levels of instruction catering to over 45 students, and implemented a structured
system for grading, testing, and attendance. Of the original 45 students, 30 completed the course, an
impressive retention rate given the high availability jobs during the tourist season.
The course improved the reputation of volunteers in the area and provided much needed English
instruction to villages where there is often no opportunity to study with a native speaker.
Sewing Cooperative
The sewing cooperative was the crowning achievement of Roberto's service. Seeing the cyclical poverty in
Cholpon-Ata, that rose from the complete dependence on the tourist season for nearly every type of
work, Roberto began the sewing cooperative as a means to diversify the economy of Cholpon-Ata as well
as provide work for the numerous single mothers that live there during the off season. The task was
daunting as Roberto would be starting with absolutely nothing, no sewing machines, no start up cash, no
workers and no place to hold the sewing cooperative.
After sending literally over a hundred emails requesting support to forty different organizations, Roberto
finally found a donor who was willing and able to send over 25 sewing machines a shipping cost alone of
over $3000 plus the material value of the machines themselves.
Language:
Despite any experience with foreign languages, Roberto achieved one of the highest levels of Russian at
post, with a grade of Advanced-Mid. His ability to communicate and understand locals on a level which
with they are familiar, was key to his success as a volunteer. His knowledge of Russian is very colloquial,
always preferring people to text books, he was able to improve his language skills and make lasting friends
at the same time. This then enabled him to communicate English grammar in Russian making him
extremely effective at teaching English as a foreign language to over 45 of his students that he taught in
his spare time.
Pursuant to Section S(f) of the Peace Corps Act, 22 USC 2S04(f), as amended, any former Volunteer employed by the United States Government
following his/her Peace Corps Volunteer Service is entitled to have any period of satisfactory Peace Corps service credited for purposes of
retirement, seniority, reduction In force, leave, and other privileges based on length of Government service. That service shall not be credited
toward completion of the probationary or trial period of any service requirement for career appointment.
This is to certify in accordance with Executive Order 11103 of April 10, 1963, that Roberto Hernandez served successfully as a Peace Corps
Volunteer. His service ended on June 15, 2009. 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 extends for a period of one year after termination of Volunteer service,
except that the emplO'fing agency may extend the period for up to three 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 agency, warrant extension of the
period.
~;~L -Peace Corps v~~Peace Corps Country Director