News

Dear members and friends of AAFSW,

I am delighted to announce the launch of AAFSW’s Art and Diplomacy Series, an initiative designed to celebrate and promote the talents and inspirations of our foreign service spouses and partners. This series aims to support the foreign affairs community through the transformative impact of art.

A special thank you to Karen Dennis, a foreign service (retired) spouse, and and The Arts Council of the National Methodist Church in Washington, DC. Thanks to their support, the artists will have an annual fall exhibition in the stunning Great Hall of the church, located at the heart of the DMV area. These exhibitions are dedicated to our foreign affairs artists, providing them with a platform to share their work and perspectives on the enriching power of art and the mutual understanding of our global village and culture. Additional exhibits may be held throughout the year.
We believe that art has a unifying effect, bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. We invite you to join us for the inaugural opening of AAFSW’s Art and Diplomacy Series on November 10, 2024.
Best,

Celine

President, AAFSW

Join the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the ASEAN Spouses' Circle on November 16 from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City for a bazaar. 

Dear Members,

In light of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) extend our heartfelt concern and pledge to support all those affected. We recognize that many members and retirees of the foreign affairs community have relocated to the Carolinas and Florida, and we are committed to assisting during these challenging times.

Donation Opportunities:

American Red Cross

Donate to Hurricanes Milton and Helene Relief | American Red Cross

Charity Navigator curated a list of highly-rated organizations providing relief and recovery to those impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton | Charity Navigator

Hurricane Helene | Charity Navigator

Catholic Charities USA launched a relief fund for those impacted by Hurricane Milton. You can donate on their donation page.

Working to Reduce Poverty in America - Catholic Charities USA

Volunteering Opportunities:

All Hands and Hearts staged teams in Georgia and are prepared to respond to Milton's impact. You can apply to volunteer here.

All Hands and Hearts | Volunteer-Powered Disaster Relief

The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website allows you to find trusted organizations that need volunteers.

Homepage | VOAD (nvoad.org)

1. Storm Support Numbers:
   • American Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767)
   • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
   • Shelters, Food Assistance, Welfare Checks: 1-888-892-1162 or 211
   • Federal Employees’ Emergency Leave Transfer Program
2. Disaster Assistance:
   • FEMA: Get Assistance After a Disaster
   • FEMA Housing Assistance
3. Ways to Help / Hurricane Assistance / Carolinas
   • Monetary Assistance:
   • • NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312
     • NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary, NC 27511
     • Food Banks of the Carolinas
   • Other Ways to Donate or Volunteer:
   • • Volunteer NC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities
     • Feeding Assistance
     • Donate to a VOAD
     • NC 2-1-1 Volunteer List

We encourage our members to support these efforts and extend a helping hand to those in need. Your contributions, whether through donations or volunteer work, can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by these unfortunate circumstances.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our community.

Warm regards,

Celine Ford

The Board of Directors and Our Team.

The 2024 International Fellows (IFs) at the National Defense University (NDU) arrived in June. Many of them requested community sponsors. In coordination with NDU, AAFSW recruited a number of sponsors who were matched with IFs from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives.

NDU sponsored a welcome picnic at the end of July. But even before that the sponsors were busy planning events to expose our new colleagues to “typical America!” That included baseball, of course!, a patriotic concert at the Kennedy Center, free concerts around DC and red, white and blue welcome bags with home baked goodies.

Both Army officers, the Indonesian fellow, and the Egyptian fellow and his newly arrived wife and daughter enjoyed attending the U.S. Army Twilight Tattoo at Joint Base Henderson-Meyer. The ceremony depicted the history of the US Army from Revolutionary times to modern day using the fife and drum corps , the drill team, the canons, the U.S. Army band and soldiers dressed in period costumes. (All free and open to the public.)

The last event of the summer was Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park with the Kennedy Center remotely presenting “Turandot.” The future holds other concerts and outings and eventually Thanksgiving, Christmas and through til next summer.

AAFSW is pleased to share the winners and honorable mentions of the 2024 Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA).

Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR)        

Andrew Richley (Podgorica, Montenegro)

EFM Andrew Richley has played a key role in developing one of Europe’s largest urban gardens into a unique resource that provides food to the hungry and allows Montenegrins to learn about sustainable agriculture while building a stronger and more resilient community.  Richley established the Urbana Bašta Podgorica Food Forest and served as its manager.  He utilized his background as an arborist and forester to map and manage the orchard, while planting and growing more than 300 trees.  Additionally, Richley served as a key leader for the garden by organizing and leading community educational events, pursuing and managing funding/grants, and working with his team to care for the thousands of vegetables, shrubs, and trees planted.  The garden’s monthly food harvest has resulted in more than 250 crates of food being donated to local food banks and home delivery services. 

Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA)               

Connie Pearson (Jerusalem, Israel)

During her time as an Eligible Family Member in Jerusalem, Connie Pearson worked to bring different communities together, making a difference for all. Following the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks Pearson worked to organize catered lunches and dinners, personally cooking much of the food, for overworked embassy staff, as well as IDF soldiers and displaced Gazan families. She volunteered to help embassy staff evacuate U.S. citizens from Israel and raised funds for IDF reserve units as well as families in the West bank unable to afford food or utility payments. Pearson’s extraordinary service also included providing traumatized students with school supplies, raising funds for children to go to summer camps, helping a family whose farm was destroyed by fire, and assisting a local orphanage to purchase and renovate new facilities.

Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA)               

Kristin Factor (Mumbai, India)

Eligible Family Member Kristin Factor’s dedication to empowering young girls through art and education has left an indelible mark on the lives of those she’s touched. In Mumbai, Factor dedicated hundreds of hours, and her own funds, to provide art education to a group of 25 orphaned girls. Factor built the program from scratch, providing age-appropriate lessons to each girl and ensuring the walls of the Sharanam Shelter for Girls are now a figurative canvas for the girls’ newfound creativity, potential, self-esteem, and resilience.

Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA)         

Garrett Fraino (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

As an EFM, Garrett Fraino’s remarkable service to the impoverished favelas of Rio de Janeiro has made a significant impact in the lives of Brazilian youth. Through the Mais Caminhos (Pronounced “Mice Ka-Mean-Yoes) organization, which offers free activities and English courses to youth between 8 and 19-years-old, Fraino provided extensive personal tutoring and coaching to students. But Fraino's most outstanding and sustainable impact came in his efforts to restructure many parts of the organization for the better. Fraino reworked Mais Caminhos’ teaching guide and created more effective training for volunteer teachers. He also bolstered the organization’s administrative structure with a variety of improvements, including an innovative new attendance tracking program, a curriculum development plan, and a brand-new program to provide tourism and hospitality training to Mais Caminhos students.

Honorable Mentions 

AF Honorable Mentions: Valerie Wendell (Kinshasa, Congo - reassigned to SOSA from Tragen nominee pool) and Joel McDonell (Gaborone, Botswana)

EAP Honorable Mention: Thanh Kim (Seoul, Republic of Korea)

EUR Honorable Mention: Sarah Berdugo (Paris, France)

NEA Honorable Mention: Jessica Baetjer (Amman, Jordan)

SCA Honorable Mentions:  Stefanie Hendricks (Astana, Kazakhstan) and Lianne Tuomey (Kathmandu, Nepal)

WHA Honorable Mention:  Susannah Holmes (San Salvador, El Salvador)

The Ambassador of Hungary in Washington, D.C., Mr. Szabolcs Ferenc Takács, expresses gratitude to AAFSW for this invitation and the opportunity to share 1100 years of Hungary’s history, geography, and complexities. H.E. acknowledges the embassy’s awareness of the AAFSW’s public diplomacy programs and outreach.

You can watch a video of the program below.

Celine Ford, June 10, 2024

In a vibrant celebration of culture and heritage, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. hosted the members and friends of the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) to an enchanting evening reception on May 31, 2024. The event was a splendid showcase of Sri Lanka’s allure as a premier tourist destination.

AAFSW expresses sincere gratitude to Ambassador Samarasinghe and his leadership team. Their expert curation of the program, in collaboration with the enthusiastic participation of all attendees, highlighted Sri Lanka’s vibrant heritage and facilitated meaningful connections among all participants. Moreover, the Sri Lanka Embassy took proactive steps to engage their local and international networks, organizing a raffle that offered participants the opportunity to experience international travel and luxury stays in Sri Lanka. The skilled musicians and elegant ballet dancers, dressed in traditional finery, added to the evening’s magic.

A Night of Diplomatic Harmony and Cultural Exchange

H.E. Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe spearheaded the evening with a poignant speech that traced the historical bonds between Sri Lanka and the United States. He recounted the influential work of American missionaries in Sri Lanka’s north during the 1800s, the pivotal role of Colonel Henry Steel Olcott in the resurgence of Buddhism, and the contributions of John Exter, the inaugural Governor of the Central Bank of Ceylon post-independence. The Ambassador’s narrative, enriched with anecdotes and historical context, further highlighted the pivotal support of the United States in Sri Lanka’s recent economic revival through the IMF Program, weaving a tapestry of shared history that resonated with the distinguished guests.

Visual and Performing Arts: A Glimpse into Sri Lanka’s Soul

The embassy’s premises transformed into a visual odyssey with a photographic exhibition that captured the essence of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, natural wonders, and the indomitable spirit of its people. These images, courtesy of the “America – Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles” and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, offered a window into the island’s soul.

Complementing the visual feast, the rhythmic beats of “Ceylon Bera” and the expressive performances by the “Lanka Dance Academy,” under the direction of Lanka Mudannayake, illustrated the country’s rich dance traditions. The unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements in the performances, such as Achila Perera’s Bharathanatyam dance, was a testament to the vibrant and diverse culture of Sri Lanka. These performances, an evening highlight, added to the tapestry of diversity.

A Culinary Journey to Remember

The evening’s gastronomic offerings celebrated Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage. Guests were treated to an array of expertly crafted traditional flavors displaying the unique blend of spices and ingredients that make Sri Lankan cuisine so distinctive. For this gastronomic journey, a renowned Sri Lankan restaurant curated a dinner buffet to create a symphony of Ceylon spices. The live station serving fresh hoppers, a traditional Sri Lankan delicacy, became the night’s culinary centerpiece, delighting the palates of all attendees and offering an authentic taste of Sri Lanka. An unforgettable journey through the flavors and aromas of Sri Lanka, the sumptuous dinner buffet was a highlight of the event, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

Ceylon Tea: A Sip of Serenity

A special tea corner offered a serene retreat where guests could savor the rich flavors of freshly brewed hot and iced Ceylon tea, a beloved national treasure.

An Evening to Remember

The night culminated in a raffle draw, with lucky winners receiving a return air ticket to Colombo and luxurious hotel stays courtesy of Sri Lankan Airlines GSA in New York, Thema Collection Hotels, and Theva Residency Boutique Hotel Kandy.

Behind the Scenes of Our Cultural Programs

Collaboration at Its Best

The road to a memorable cultural program involves multi-level efforts. AAFSW collaborated closely with the Embassy of Sri Lanka leadership, leaving no stone unturned, and orchestrated a delightful Sri Lankan evening for over 150 attendees.

Program Goals and Key Messages

Our programs have clear goals: to celebrate a country’s vibrant culture, promote cross-cultural understanding, and create lasting memories. The target audience included diplomats, expatriates, and members and friends of AAFSW. We developed communication materials such as brochures and communications tools to ensure consistent branding and messaging. These succinctly summarized the program’s essential features, benefits, and contact information, aligning seamlessly with our vision and objectives.

A Note on Consistency

We must recognize that all our programs and events require the same dedication from AAFSW’s team and volunteers, all hands on deck. 

Thank you, our members, for your support and for making these programs and evenings remarkable. Your dedication truly exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and community within AAFSW.

You can see a video here.

Best,

Celine

Celine Ford, June 6, 2024

AAFSW is pleased to present the ‘Divorce and the Foreign Service Rights and Responsibilities’ guidelines, a crucial resource for our community. These guidelines, part of the 2023 Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO), showcase AAFSW’s continuous advocacy by AAFSW, particularly the Spouses in Crisis and Crisis Fund Chairs. We have been championing better treatment of abandonment during separation and divorce with the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Global Talent Management Bureau and Congress.

In the context of the foreign service community, while there is no specific data on the divorce rate, AAFSW has observed an uptick in families contemplating separation or divorce in recent years. These circumstances often emerge under severe conditions for the spouse and children. Living abroad without the support of extended family or friends, families, and individual members of the foreign affairs community confronts unique relationship stresses. They frequently must adjust their personalities or lifestyles to blend into local contexts. The pressures of relocating to a new environment and leaving behind one’s support network can strain marriages.

Life-altering events such as divorce can be profoundly stressful, often leading to trauma that can impair our decision-making abilities. This state of vulnerability can sometimes open the door to exploitation. Proceeding with a divorce hastily without comprehensive legal advice, signing documents without a thorough understanding of their implications, and misjudging and misclassifying marital assets can all present considerable risks. In their urgency to escape an unhealthy marriage, some individuals may be willing to relinquish assets they are rightfully entitled to. On the other hand, others may opt to endure harmful marriages due to financial limitations. Both situations are far from ideal.

Familiarizing yourself and sharing the 2023 Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) “Divorce and the Foreign Service Rights and Responsibilities” guide is highly recommended. This comprehensive resource provides invaluable information and resources for those navigating this challenging process. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of Foreign Service employees or dependents serving under the Chief of Mission at post or their manager in the DMV. It also guides potential pension, survivor, and health benefits, as well as resources for counseling services. You can contact the Management Officer assigned to your post for more detailed information. Please remember that some benefits may cease once a divorce is finalized.

Amidst the challenges of divorce, it’s essential to know that AAFSW is steadfast in its commitment to supporting family members in these situations, whether in the U.S. or overseas. We actively mediate and negotiate with the State Department’s Family Liaison Office, support groups, and networks of family lawyers, ensuring that you have the necessary support during this difficult time.

When in a distress situation, usually during a separation or divorce, to find support navigating these challenging transitions, and under a strict rule of confidentiality, do not hesitate to contact the AAFSW Spouses in Transition Chair, the Foreign-Born Spouse State Liaison Chair, or the Office Manager.

We strongly encourage you to share these guidelines with your colleagues and friends in the Foreign Affairs community. By spreading this information, we can better support each other and ensure everyone knows their rights and responsibilities during divorce.

Divorce and the Foreign Service – U.S. Department of State

Spouses in Transition Support – Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (aafsw.org)