Grassroots Ingenuity in South America
From 2003 to 2005, Scott Stadum served as a Peace Corps volunteer stationed at the WWF in Georgetown, Guyana. Building on his grandfather Palmer's legacy of practical craftsmanship and problem-solving, Scott applied his digital media background to support local community development.
One of his key technical achievements during this era was compiling local blog aggregators. Using tools like Suprglu, Scott compiled Guyanese blogs and digital stories into centralized directories, providing some of the earliest platforms for citizen journalism and local reporting in the region. This work was profiled in international digital advocacy forums like Global Voices, demonstrating how simple web tools could empower grassroots voices.
Community Organizing and Cultural Projects
Beyond technology, Scott co-produced local events and benefits. He collaborated with returned volunteers and local artists to host fundraisers for the Timehri Film Festival and organize screenings. In 2004, he cut the ribbon at the new Peace Corps Guyana headquarters and gave a presentation on ecotourism to the Prince of England. In 2005, he met President Jimmy Carter at the US Embassy in Georgetown.
After his service ended, Scott and Kati Ringer co-founded Friends & RPCVs of Guyana in 2007 — an NGO based in Washington, D.C. that continues to fund development and cultural projects in Guyana. The organization supported the production of The Seawall, a short film by Mason Richards that showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, with Scott receiving a producer credit.
