MU | Evy Bowman
impossible to pursue because of a law passed in Washington , D . C ., while they were en route to Ecuador . “ We , however , were asked to remain there , study the country and its needs , and recommend some mission or social service project that the church could get involved in ,” Bowman said . “ The world was open to us . Our first year and a half there was spent doing just that , and what a wealth of opportunity it was .”
Their new home was “ adequate ” but lacked modern amenities . The only cooking equipment they had was a wood-burning stove . No refrigeration meant they shopped for food daily , but with no supermarkets or central shopping areas , they relied on a local butcher shop , bakery , and open market for fresh food .
Bowman taught English shorthand to a group of German and Ecuadorian students , and served as secretary to an American lawyer for several months . She also helped at a girls ’ camp on an island off the southern coast of Ecuador , where they fished for their food , held Bible classes , sang and swam every day .
Paul traveled to meet with civic leaders and gather information in order to make recommendations to the Church of the Brethren office back in the States . He also taught English , and one of his pupils was the vice president of Ecuador .
Eventually , the Bowmans and another American couple decided they would focus their efforts on a developing a boys ’ club for the area .
Bowman has carried much with her from her time living and working abroad . “ I found that people all over the world are very much alike , have the same needs , love and are loved , care about others , and are curious and ready to learn ,” she said . “ I found out how beautiful the rest of the world is , what it means to love your neighbor , and , if I didn ’ t know it before , the importance of family .”
As her life went on , Bowman raised three more children . She now resides in Lenexa , Kansas , and has two grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren .
Her long and impressive life was largely influenced by her years as a Manchester student . That time provided Bowman “ a foundation , I suspect , for going into the world with an attitude of curiosity and a willingness to continue learning . Lifelong learning has been something I have been very devoted to and continue it still .”
She remains active with the University , giving when and what she can .
“ Manchester was a very important part of my life — my blossoming ! It ’ s only natural to want that kind of experience for others . You do that by supporting an institution that you revere . My husband and I both shared that with Bridgewater – where he did his undergraduate work – and Manchester , and we tried to support them whenever possible .”
“ It was estimated that in the entire city there were close to 15,000 boys out of school ,” Bowman said . “ The club would function as a home away from home , a place where boys could come together to play a variety of sports , take a shower , read or learn to read , work on hobbies , get training in vocational skills , attend classes , learn how to manage money and to be good citizens .” Doctors and dentists supported the club and provided free medical and dental services to the boys .
Half of the funds for the club were raised locally by Ecuadorians , while the other half came from the Church of the Brethren .
With their project a success – and now a baby on the way – the couple agreed it was time to go back to the U . S ., where they hoped their child could be born .
A request from the American Embassy landed them in Bolivia , where they were asked stay and teach , but not before an unexpected pitstop in Peru for the birth of their first child .
This year of teaching home economics and caring for a newborn was a challenge , but soon after the Bowmans were finally able to return home to the States . “ Getting back on American soil , being able to see our families again , and just being able to order and eat cherry pie again were long-awaited rewards ,” she said .
Evelyn Stouffer Bowman as May Queen in 1941 . Photo courtesy of North Manchester Center for History .
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