Teacher Turns Peace Corps Experience into Resource

Ossining resident Chris Starace has created The Benin Trilogy based on his experiences in the Peace Corps and the book he wrote about it in 2012.

The trilogy includes the book plus a 3-hour, 5-episode DVD documentary about Benin and a website, Fon is Fun—Really, that focuses on the primary language and cultural information about Benin. 

Starace joined the Peace Corps from 1995 to 1997 and was sent to West African nation of Benin. He had less cash flow than other recent graduates—living on only $6 a day.

In an earlier interview with Patch, Starace, who re-visited Benin in 2004, said that technology has been a game changer in Benin since his original visit back in the mid-90s.

"When I was there no one had cell phones, but now a lot of people use cell phones—even villagers," said Starace. "They use pre-paid cell phones… They're very poor, but they can still make a couple calls every week."

You can tell Starace is a high school teacher when you look at The Benin Trilogy website—it's full of resources teachers could use to enrich their lessons.

Read our article about Starace and his book here. Check out The Benin Trilogy at fon-is-fon.org