Peace Corps

The origin of the Peace Corps can be traced back to a challenge posed to University of Michigan students by John F. Kennedy in the 1960’s.  He challenged them to live and work in developing countries in the name of peace in order to serve their country.  From that challenge, the government agency devoted to world peace was formed.  Over 190,000 volunteers have come forth to help out in 139 countries since its formation.  The mission of the Peace Corps is to help meet the needs of interested countries in their numbers of trained men and women.  The Peace Corps also serves as a gateway for the better understanding of different cultures, and our stereotypes portrayed to other cultures.
    The volunteers can chose from several different work opportunities including education, health, HIV/AIDS, business, environment, youth, and agriculture.  The Peace corps have responded accordingly to the shifts in needs around the world.  Pressing issues such as HIV/AIDS have been growing and therefore brought to the list of pressing issues to focus on assisting.  Some of the new issues being explored include HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean, information technology, and expanding into new countries. 
    In order to volunteer, you must go through an application process and make a commitment of at least 27 months of volunteer work.  No short term assignments are offered for volunteers.  You do not need to have previous knowledge of a foreign language because the Peace Corps provides any language training necessary.  College training is recommended, however, you do not have to have a college education to volunteer.  You may also select a preference of countries, but the bottom line is that you will be send where you are needed the most.  A living allowance is provided by the Peace Corps, and is about the amount that local residents in your community subsist on.  Full medical and dental coverage is provided, as well as the cost of transportation to and from the country you serve.  The minimum age to serve is 18, however there is not age limit as to how old you can be to serve.  Medical and dental records will be examined to determine the eligibility of those wishing to serve.  In general, as a volunteer, you serve independently and may be in contact with other volunteers on weekend and holidays.
    This provided the perfect opportunity to research the Peace Corps because I am considering serving in South America after I graduate from Chico.  The website did a great job of outlining the importance and message of Peace Corps work.  The opportunities are endless and the locations available to volunteer at are incredibly diverse.