Tom R. Chambers Peace Corps Description of Service
Country of Service: Zimbabwe
Dates of Service: December 6, 1992 - December 31, 1995
Tommy R. Chambers began Peace Corps Training on October 19, 1992 at the Peace
Corps Training Center in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, and completed an intensive six-week
program. The training included Cross Cultural Studies, Shona Language and Personal
Health. Mr. Chambers continued two more weeks of personal training/familiarization
on-site at cultural institutions throughout Zimbabwe, and he began his Primary
Assignment on December 15, 1992.
Mr. Chambers was enrolled as a Peace Corps Volunteer on December 6, 1992.
Assigned to the Ministry of Recreation, Sports and Culture, he was posted as an Art
Conservator/Curator at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe to produce a Permanent
Collection Catalogue. His responsibilities included research/classification;
computerization (he wrote a grant proposal to computerize the Permanent Collection
information for which he received US$9000.00 from the Social Science Research
Council/African Archives and Museums Project, New York City); in-house
layout/design of the Catalogue (via Aldus Pagemaker); and computerization/curatorial
training of National Gallery staff with regard to the Permanent Collection.
He also prepared/curated numerous exhibitions from the Permanent Collection for public
Dates of Service: December 6, 1992 - December 31, 1995
Tommy R. Chambers began Peace Corps Training on October 19, 1992 at the Peace
Corps Training Center in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, and completed an intensive six-week
program. The training included Cross Cultural Studies, Shona Language and Personal
Health. Mr. Chambers continued two more weeks of personal training/familiarization
on-site at cultural institutions throughout Zimbabwe, and he began his Primary
Assignment on December 15, 1992.
 |
| Chambers (left) is seen being sworn in by David Bellama, Country Director, Zimbabwe. |
Assigned to the Ministry of Recreation, Sports and Culture, he was posted as an Art
Conservator/Curator at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe to produce a Permanent
Collection Catalogue. His responsibilities included research/classification;
computerization (he wrote a grant proposal to computerize the Permanent Collection
information for which he received US$9000.00 from the Social Science Research
Council/African Archives and Museums Project, New York City); in-house
layout/design of the Catalogue (via Aldus Pagemaker); and computerization/curatorial
training of National Gallery staff with regard to the Permanent Collection.
He also prepared/curated numerous exhibitions from the Permanent Collection for public
cultural enhancement and education; researched/re-configured the Traditional African
Permanent Display Gallery; and generated National Gallery involvement with
ICOM/AFRICOM to standardize the computerization of the Permanent Collection
information to conform with computerized collections information throughout Africa for
cultural exchange and protection of African Heritage. As a visual artist, Mr. Chambers
was invited by the National Gallery to exhibit a series of conceptual photographic
images, ‘Variations on the Dan Mask’, to offer his interpretation of the Traditional
African mask form; and the exhibition was officially opened in December 1995 by the
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe. Note: Mr. Chambers extended his Service
for a third year to complete the Permanent Collection Project to produce the Catalogue.
As a Secondary Project, Mr. Chambers initiated and then served as the Instructor for
‘The McEwen Photographic Studio’. The namesake was selected as a tribute to Frank
McEwen, the first Director of the National Gallery (1957-1973), and in recognition of
his Workshop School activities for African artists during the 1950s and 1960s. ‘The
McEwen Photographic Studio’ has now become an integral part of the National
Gallery’s Art School curriculum, and provides African art students an opportunity to
experience the medium of photography as another tool for self-expression and
vocational potential.
Mr. Chambers taught this seven-month photographic workshop
each year (1993, 1994 and 1995) of his Peace Corps Service, and the process
culminated in an annual exhibition at the National Gallery, respectively: ‘Moments In
Time’ (1993); ‘Moments In Time II’ (1994); and ‘Moments In Time III’ (1995). The
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe officially opened the first two exhibitions; the
Country Director of Peace Corps Zimbabwe officially opened the last one; and the
United States Peace Corps was a partial sponsor of all three openings.
Mr. Chambers also succeeded in obtaining funding to support the photographic workshop
Zimbabwe Ltd. (US$1000.00), Johnson and Johnson Zimbabwe Ltd. (US$400.00),
Randalls Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd. (US$150.00), Meikles Consolidated Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd.
(US$250.00), BAT Zimbabwe Ltd. (US$200.00) and Crown Cork Company Ltd.
(US$60.00) - total: US$5060.00.
As a Tertiary Project, Mr. Chambers initiated, and advised SKIA (Street Kids In
Action), a youth development program for at-risk youth in the urban areas (particularly,
Harare) of Zimbabwe. He succeeded in bringing together, and motivating numerous
individuals from the Zimbabwean community to move SKIA forward, at grass-roots
level, as a Zimbabwean-based program to address the ‘Street Kids’ issue in an
all-encompassing manner. Specifically, a ‘small university’ approach is planned, in
which ‘Street’ children and young adults can benefit from basic education classes,
arts/vocational workshops, counseling, athletics and maintenance (Half-Way House
approach for the truly destitute); the children are re-integrated in the Public Education
system, reunited with the family unit, and placed with corporations/organizations as
trainees/assistants/interns to offer them co-operative opportunities.
The program has created a greater awareness of the ‘Street Kids’ issue, and raised local
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
Volunteer Service credited for purposes of retirement, seniority, reduction in force,
leave and other privileges based on length of Government service. Peace Corps Service
shall not be credited toward completion of the probationary or trail period or completion
of any service requirement for career appointment.
This is to certify in accordance with Executive Order No. 11103 of April 10, 1963 that
Tommy R. Chambers served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His service
ended on December 31, 1995. 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, except that the employing 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 which in view of the appointing authority
warrants extension of the period.
Date: December 31, 1995
David Bellama
Peace Corps Country Director
Harare, Zimbabwe
Permanent Display Gallery; and generated National Gallery involvement with
ICOM/AFRICOM to standardize the computerization of the Permanent Collection
information to conform with computerized collections information throughout Africa for
cultural exchange and protection of African Heritage. As a visual artist, Mr. Chambers
was invited by the National Gallery to exhibit a series of conceptual photographic
images, ‘Variations on the Dan Mask’, to offer his interpretation of the Traditional
African mask form; and the exhibition was officially opened in December 1995 by the
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe. Note: Mr. Chambers extended his Service
for a third year to complete the Permanent Collection Project to produce the Catalogue.
 |
| Chambers curated this exhibition out of many re: Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture. |
As a Secondary Project, Mr. Chambers initiated and then served as the Instructor for
‘The McEwen Photographic Studio’. The namesake was selected as a tribute to Frank
McEwen, the first Director of the National Gallery (1957-1973), and in recognition of
his Workshop School activities for African artists during the 1950s and 1960s. ‘The
McEwen Photographic Studio’ has now become an integral part of the National
Gallery’s Art School curriculum, and provides African art students an opportunity to
experience the medium of photography as another tool for self-expression and
vocational potential.
Mr. Chambers taught this seven-month photographic workshop
each year (1993, 1994 and 1995) of his Peace Corps Service, and the process
culminated in an annual exhibition at the National Gallery, respectively: ‘Moments In
Time’ (1993); ‘Moments In Time II’ (1994); and ‘Moments In Time III’ (1995). The
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe officially opened the first two exhibitions; the
Country Director of Peace Corps Zimbabwe officially opened the last one; and the
United States Peace Corps was a partial sponsor of all three openings.
 |
| Moments in Time II is seen above. |
Mr. Chambers also succeeded in obtaining funding to support the photographic workshop
process including Kodak Zimbabwe Ltd. (materials grants totaling US$3000.00), Caltex Oil
Zimbabwe Ltd. (US$1000.00), Johnson and Johnson Zimbabwe Ltd. (US$400.00),
Randalls Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd. (US$150.00), Meikles Consolidated Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd.
(US$250.00), BAT Zimbabwe Ltd. (US$200.00) and Crown Cork Company Ltd.
(US$60.00) - total: US$5060.00.
As a Tertiary Project, Mr. Chambers initiated, and advised SKIA (Street Kids In
Action), a youth development program for at-risk youth in the urban areas (particularly,
Harare) of Zimbabwe. He succeeded in bringing together, and motivating numerous
individuals from the Zimbabwean community to move SKIA forward, at grass-roots
level, as a Zimbabwean-based program to address the ‘Street Kids’ issue in an
all-encompassing manner. Specifically, a ‘small university’ approach is planned, in
which ‘Street’ children and young adults can benefit from basic education classes,
arts/vocational workshops, counseling, athletics and maintenance (Half-Way House
approach for the truly destitute); the children are re-integrated in the Public Education
system, reunited with the family unit, and placed with corporations/organizations as
trainees/assistants/interns to offer them co-operative opportunities.
 |
| Chambers is seen with SKIA staff and street children. |
The program has created a greater awareness of the ‘Street Kids’ issue, and raised local
funds (US$35000.00 - Charity Casinos, Mayor’s Fund, Rotaract Clubs, corporations,
fundraising events, individuals and memberships) to purchase a facility to implement its
‘small university’ approach, and hire a Zimbabwean Project Manager. Mr. Chambers
attended the United States Peace Corps Africa region Small Business Development and
Youth Development Conference in Gaborone, Botswana (September 19-23, 1994) in
connection with this program. In this same Advisor/Counselor role, he also provided
guidance and assistance to a number of individuals and organizations seeking help and
practical guidance in urban youth programs as far away as Kenya (where he made
presentations to PCVs), Botswana and Ghana.
Mr. Chambers also served as a Project Adviser for American students who traveled to
fundraising events, individuals and memberships) to purchase a facility to implement its
‘small university’ approach, and hire a Zimbabwean Project Manager. Mr. Chambers
attended the United States Peace Corps Africa region Small Business Development and
Youth Development Conference in Gaborone, Botswana (September 19-23, 1994) in
connection with this program. In this same Advisor/Counselor role, he also provided
guidance and assistance to a number of individuals and organizations seeking help and
practical guidance in urban youth programs as far away as Kenya (where he made
presentations to PCVs), Botswana and Ghana.
Mr. Chambers also served as a Project Adviser for American students who traveled to
Zimbabwe on Study-Abroad programs through Scripps-Pitzer/University of Zimbabwe and
School for International Training (He advised seven students in various cross-cultural
projects.). In addition, as a Documentary Photographer, he generated a series of
photographs (portraits/landscapes of Africans and their lifestyles in a rural area of Zimbabwe,
‘Southwest of Rusape: The Mucharambeyi Connection’), and received a US Government
grant (US$400.00) through the United States Information Services (USIS) to exhibit this
series at the USIS Library in Harare, Zimbabwe (June, 1995). The U.S. Ambassador to
Zimbabwe officially opened this exhibition.
 |
| One of the images from Southwest of Rusape: The Mucharambeyi Connection is seen above. |
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/her 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 Government service. Peace Corps Service
shall not be credited toward completion of the probationary or trail period or completion
of any service requirement for career appointment.
This is to certify in accordance with Executive Order No. 11103 of April 10, 1963 that
Tommy R. Chambers served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His service
ended on December 31, 1995. 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, except that the employing 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 which in view of the appointing authority
warrants extension of the period.
Date: December 31, 1995
David Bellama
Peace Corps Country Director
Harare, Zimbabwe
 |
| Chambers is seen with Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., first Director of the Peace Corps. |
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