Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Walker
Hi Mark, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Fresh out of college in 1971, I planned do some traveling–although not to Vietnam, so I joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Guatemala after receiving language and agricultural training in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. So began a lifelong journey of physical and spiritual self-discovery through Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia, exploring different ways of improving those in the direst circumstances.
I married a Guatemala girl, and we’d have all three children there. And as one fellow writer put it, “There is one truth that all travelers will endorse. there is always one place, one culture, and country, that becomes your personal lodestar. Your sense of the world in its ragged variety is guided by it. For Walker, Guatemala is that country…”
I helped set up a local development agency in Guatemala, was an Assistant Director with Plan International and a consultant with several other groups there. I went on to manage programs in Colombia and Sierra Leone, West Africa after which I returned to the U.S. with my family and set up a regional fundraising office for CARE International. Over the years I’d become an executive fundraiser for World Neighbors, Food for the Hungry here in Scottsdale and Make A Wish International. My last position was CEO of HAGAR USA which works with survivors of human trafficking.
In 2017 I became a fulltime writer with my first book, Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond, which was recognized by the Arizona Literary Association. My next book, My Saddest Pleasures, which is part of the Yin & Yang of Travel series, was named Best Travel Book. The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives and Amazing Stories, which just came out is a Best Seller and was Best New Release for Guatemala History and Central American Travel.
My articles have been published by WorldView Magazine, Scarlet Leaf Review and Quail Bell, Revue Magazine among others and one received the Solas Literary Award sponsored by “Traveler’s Tales” for Adventure Travel. I’m presently working on a new article, “Traveling Through Guatemala with Granddaughters,” following a three-week trip to Guatemala.
I set up The Million Mile Walker as my writing, advocating platform to celebrate international travel and literature, cross cultural relationships, overseas development, philanthropy, and social justice. I send out the Million Mile Walker Dispatch monthly with my latest articles, book review, as well as social, political and economic nuances with an international flare.
My three children live in the Phoenix area, one is a judge, the other is with IRC and works with refugees and the oldest is a simultaneous interpreter and we have eight grandchildren.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Choosing one of the most isolated sites in the Peace Corps by the highest volcano in Central America generated some real challenges. After my first year I almost died of an intestinal infection and was transferred to a more accessible site, where I met my Guatemalan wife.
My trials and tribulations on the road were summed up in my second book, My Saddest Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road.” I was inspired by a quote of the greatest travel writer, Paul Theroux’s Picture Palace, “Travel is the saddest of pleasures. It gave me eyes.” He’s referring to our illusions about new places that we visit, which often provide unexpected surprises and disappointments. The book reveals many of my travel miscues, disasters and disappointments. The many donor tours I led which went south in places like Nepal and the heights of the Andes in Bolivia.
Also, explaining the realities and tribulations of those living in developing countries, which most Americans are unfamiliar with is not easy. This is why I take a lot of pictures and when possible, lead visits to see the work firsthand. Raising funds for such programs is not for the faint of heart. For 35 years I led fundraising for various overseas organizations which competes with a growing number of charities for funds. And although the needs are great abroad, people tend to focus on the immediate needs in their community.
Changing homes and countries every three to four years is also stressful. My life was threatened in Bogotá, Colombia and we had 72 hours to leave the country. Our next site would be Sierra Leone, West Africa, an area none of us was familiar with.
And now, as a writer, the publishing industry is changing quickly. Close to four million books are published each year, only five major publishing companies exist, the number of bookstores is dwindling and up to 70% of books are sold online. Many of us have turned to self-publishing, which entails much of the promotion and marketing work after you’ve written the book. This is why I used Kickstarter, a crowdfunding program for small businesses and creatives to launch my most recent book and we exceeded our goal by 273%.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve already described my work, both overseas and as a writer. I’m most proud of the recognition of my work and of course, of the success of my three children all of whom participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, so they all speak English, Spanish as well as German or French.
I’ve always been a leader in the field of international development and cross-cultural understanding. I’ve been involved on the international and local level. As a Past President of Scottsdale North Rotary Club, I was also the District Chair for World Community. In 1998, Scottsdale Airpark New highlighted an article, “Airpark executive wins highest honor from Rotary,” the Service Above Self Award for work in Bolivia promoting clean water. I was one of 123 out of 1.3 million Rotarians to be so recognized.
I continue involvement with international development as a board member of Advance Guatemala, which provides funding for local non-governmental groups in Guatemala. I’m also a board member of SEEDS for a Future set up by a local poet/author and his wife in Guatemala training women to use local resources to combat child malnutrition and stunting. I also provide pro-bono support for international organizations in fundraising.
I was a certified executive fundraiser (CFRE) for 35 years and Past President of the Greater Arizona Association of Fundraising Executives. I’m an active member of several literary associations in the State and a board member of the Arizona Authors Association.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Alana de Joseph, award winning producer and director of Peace Corps documentary, “A Towering Task” might have summed it up best. She wrote this for the back cover of my first book, Different Latitudes “He is searching day and night for truth, learning and meaning” wrote Hubert Smith, Chancellor of the Law-Science Academy of 20-year-old Mark walker. And through this book (Different Latitudes) it is obvious that he never stopped. Walker finds the humanity in all of us…An inspiring read for those of us who want to get to work in the world community.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://millionmilewalker.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millionmilewalker/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/millionmile_wal
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@markd.walker8694/featured?app=desktop
