NEWS and OPENINGS: Updated May 13, 2008 Our field staff have reported that no volunteers were directly affected by the recent earthquake in western China. Three positions have recently opened to depart this July to join the Bangladesh Year group which is already in-country and teaching at the Asian University for Women. Serve with us in Africa on our Rwanda Year and Namibia Year programs! The China Year program and all Pacific Island programs for 2008 can no longer receive new applications, but we would strongly encourage you to consider our many other placement opportunities in countries around the world, beginning with Chile Ministry and Ecuador Year. As you consider an international volunteer service experience, we would recommend reading Steve Reifenberg's moving memoir Santiago's Children, which has been published by the University of Texas Press, with a foreword by Paul Farmer. CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Appel, winner of the Winter 2008 Journal Contest, and Rachel Segretto, winner of the Winter 2008 Photo Contest!  To view all finalists and their entries, please scroll down on the page about Our Volunteers. WorldTeach applicants-in-progress, please access your Master Checklist here, http://masterchecklist.worldteach.org, using the password emailed to you.