Ripple Effect: Attorney returns to West African country where he spent 2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer

By Tom Kirvan Legal News From Peace Corps volunteer, to successful attorney, to community journalist. It's a path that Mike Lavoie has traveled repeatedly during his professional career, most recently during a five-week stay in Burkina Faso, a West African country where the Butzel Long attorney helped "break new ground" in the yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Lavoie, who spent two years in Burkina Faso during his Peace Corps mission in the mid-1970s, returned stateside last week with a renewed zeal to improve understanding and interactions between the people of Burkina Faso and the U.S. "No better example of that can be found than in the sister village relationship that has flourished for some 10 years now between the village of Namtenga and Cranbrook Schools," Lavoie said. "That relationship includes school-wide partnerships -- and countless projects led by Brookside nurse and health educator Marcy DeCraene -- between Cranbrook's elementary, middle, and upper schools and the school in Namtenga. Moreover, the Cranbrook Weaving Studio and its Namtenga Club, led by weaving instructor Lynn Bennett Carpenter and students Madison Romney, Julia Bleznak, and Jeannie Sui Wonders have done extraordinary work with the Namtenga Weaving Studio. Here, they just received another order of woven bags and purses that they will sell, resulting in even more cross-inspiration and understanding." During his stay overseas, Lavoie took part in the "2011 Cross-continental Tour and Celebration of the 50th Anniversaries of the Peace Corps and Burkina Faso Independence," traveling to nine cities, documenting his whirlwind journey with hundreds of photos, compelling video footage, and written reports highlighting the work of those committed to the humanitarian cause. "The Peace Corps friendships that were kindled and rekindled during these 'rock tour' celebrations were anything but mere connections," Lavoie wrote in one of his reports. "With Country Director Shannon Meehan's passionate support and leadership, more than 40 current Peace Corps volunteers and counting meshed in person . . . and telephonically with several retired Peace Corps volunteers. Several groups of Peace Corps volunteers huddled around speaker-phones, exchanging news and encouragement with retired Peace Corps volunteers around the United States. One retired Peace Corps volunteer, Anne Knight, actually flew down from Germany at the last minute just to attend the event in Ouahigouya, bringing bags of candy, magazines, and a U.S.A. soccer ball for a village project." One of the celebrations -- in the village of Namtenga -- was particularly memorable for Lavoie. It was there, as a fresh-faced Peace Corps volunteer following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame in 1975, that Lavoie dedicated two years of his life directing well-digging efforts. "This event featured mask ceremonies, presentations with several thousand people in attendance, waving of Burkina and U.S. flags, a women's weaving studio song and dance event, and a stunning first-time ever Skype connect between pen-pal students at Cranbrook Schools in Michigan and Namtenga," Lavoie reported. "In numerous Burkina classrooms and organization meetings along the way, presentations were made about the convergence of these two 50th anniversaries and their historic and symbolic significance -- the reunion of the ideals of peace, friendship, and independence." And the "ripple-effected friendships" were not limited to those with a Peace Corps connection, according to Lavoie. "At least three different secondary schools had direct connections to the events," he said. "And, Central Michigan University passed a resolution recognizing the two anniversaries and donated $1,000 to repair an ambulance in the community of Dargo amidst exciting ceremonies. And, in Dargo, it was also confirmed that former well-digger Bob McCormick's (1972-74) water wells still service the community." Lavoie credited retired Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Fred Mester for "helping facilitate" the CMU connection, praising the jurist for his "efforts to do good" at home and abroad. Judge Mester and Lavoie are actively involved with the Pontiac Alumni Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of students in the school district. For years, Lavoie has served as a mentor to high school students, meeting with them weekly in an effort to assist with their academic and individual development. "Mike's work with the students in Pontiac and with those involved with the Peace Corps cause is truly remarkable," Judge Mester said. "As one of his close friends, I'm constantly amazed at his ability to make a difference in the lives of others. That is his passion." Published: Fri, Mar 18, 2011

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