What is this Peace Corps thing anyway?

 Here is a rundown of what the Peace Corps is and what the Peace Corps does:

Ø  The Peace Corp is an independent United States agency which sends qualified volunteers to other countries around the world to promote peace and build positive foreign relations.

 

Ø  The Peace Corps was established March 1^st 1961.

 

Ø  Over 210,000 Peace Corps Volunteers(PCVs) have served.

 

Ø  Over 60% of PCVs are women.

 

Ø  Volunteers do not carry arms and they do not get paid during their service.

 

Ø  Volunteers are assigned to specific countries (countries that request volunteers) to utilize their skills to help improve the lives of the people and environment.

 

Ø  The term of service for a PCV is 24 months, and an additional three months of training. PCVs can extend their service beyond the 24 months.

 

Ø  The Peace Corps application process is grueling; most who attempt to apply do not complete it.

 

Ø  Time it takes to complete the Peace Corps application is 6-12 months and not all applicants are accepted for various reasons, including health issues.

 

Ø  Qualifications to serve are:

·         U.S. citizenship,

·         Four year degree, or possess technical skills,

·         Over 18 years of age.

 

Ø  PCVs are not allowed to drive during their service.

 

Ø  Job areas held by PCVs:

·         Education

·         Health

·         Community Economic Development

·         Environment

·         Youth in Development

·         Agriculture

 

Ø  Parts of the world PCVs serve:

·         Africa

·         Central and South America

·         Eastern Europe and Central Asia

·         Asia

·         The Caribbean

·         North Africa/Middle East

·         Pacific Islands

 

Ø  PCVs do not serve in the United States. Volunteers for the AmeriCorps do.

 

Ø  Current number of countries served: 76.

 

Ø  The average age of a PCV is 28.

 

Ø  7% of PCVs are over the age of 50. There is no upper age limit.

 

Ø  Married couples can serve together.

 

Ø  A foreign language is not a requirement to join the Peace Corps, though a certain degree of fluency of a foreign language may determine where a PCV will serve.

 

Ø  Many PCVs will learn a foreign language while in training.

 

Ø  PCVs are not placed in areas active in war.

 

Ø  Peace Corps applicants do not choose where they serve, though are asked for preferences.

 

 

Ø  List of some well-known Returned Peace Corps Volunteers:

·         Bob Vila…former host of This Old House…Panama, ‘71-‘73

·         Chris Matthews…host of Hardball with Chris Matthews…Swaziland, ’68-‘70

·         Chris Dodd…former U.S. Senator…Dominican Republic, ’66-‘68

·         Reed Hastings…founder and CEO of Netflix…Swaziland, ‘83-‘85

·         Joanie Laurer, aka Chyna...former pro wrestler...Costa Rica, ‘93-‘95

·         Paul Theroux…author of several non-fiction/fiction books including Mosquito Coast…Malawi, ‘63-‘65

 

*there are several women who have served and have achieved great success, but I am only mentioning those people most of you are familiar with.

 

(works cited: www.peacecorps.gov)

 

Other things I know, but aren't found on the Peace Corps site...

The Peace Corps is a great way to see the world and learn about different cultures, but it is not a vacation. I’m sure you may have heard the motto: “this is the toughest job you’ll ever love”. And it is a job.

I will have to poop in a hole, fetch my water from a well, and I will live as the locals do.

I may have cooked grubs offered to me; we’ll see if I accept in my future posts.

Many PCV women in Zambia keep their hair short, or even shave their heads! Stay tuned to whether I do that or not.

I will ‘live simply and in community’.

I will be trained by the Peace Corps how to live in the country, what to say and not say, what to do and not do, and how to dress.

I will learn my place in my new society as a woman.

My recruiter gave me advice during my interview (she was a PCV): “If you are ever in a situation and you don’t know how to act or respond; do what the women do. If they’re washing clothes, start washing something, if they are cooking, cook something.”  

The wild animals that live in Zambia do not frequent the villages. I will have to go to the Parks to see the lions and Zebras. So, I most likely won’t be eaten by a lion. (phew!)

I have been looking forward to this experience for a very long time. It runs in the family. My father lived in different countries around the world for eight years teaching English as a second language. I am about to follow in his footsteps.

I have plans now when I return, but coming back from living in a place so different from my country, I can only guess what my plans will actually become.

 

I'm in transition mode...

I’m trying to absorb this…I have 118 days left,

I have less than four months left,

I have a little over 17 weeks left ‘til I leave for the Peace Corps. And I have a lot to do!

I am still living my ‘normal’ life: I’m parenting, keeping my apartment clean, grocery shopping, volunteering, running, seeing my friends, and working and paying bills.

But I will be leaving for two years. Two years. That’s a long time. There are many things I’m doing to prepare: adding to the pile in my room of things I’m bringing with me, adding to the list of things I will have to buy to bring with me, going to doctor and dental visits, figuring out how I will get rid of most of my stuff.

I’m getting rid of most everything I own. I've had tag sales and am now slowly giving things away to friends and family, in fact my youngest son gets my car. There are some things I'm keeping, such as my Dion snowshoes, bike, photo albums, a dozen books, and my futon. I’m bringing my camping equipment with me and will put it to good use while I'm in Zambia.

It's been difficult getting rid of my things at first, but I'm getting used to it. It's liberating. And it's interesting to see which of my possessions mean most to me. If someone asked me what I would bring with me if my house was on fire, I'd be able to answer that without hesitating.

So, as you can see, there is a lot to do to prepare for this life change. But it’s not just lists to check off and all of the red tape that’s involved (I've finished round one of the red tape stuff and in December will be round two.)

There is the emotional part; the getting-ready-to-let-go part. I have to prepare for this.

I will be moving out of my apartment the end of November to move in with my friend and I will live with her until I leave for Africa. She will also take care of my two cats while I’m gone. I’ll miss my kitties. I’ve had Google since he was four weeks old. And Amy, Google’s mother, is almost always by my side. I will be with them during their integration into a new household. I am fortunate to be able to leave them together in wonderful hands. Thank you, Pat.

My son, Josh will move in with his father when I move in with my friend. This will be the first time we live apart since he was born 19 years ago. We’ve been preparing for this together. Josh understands I have a strong desire to do this. He is supportive of me and I am thankful for that.

My other son, Ryan moved out over a month ago to begin his teaching career in the southern part of the state. We've made that transition smoothly. Still, it will be hard saying goodbye when I leave.

I am spending as much time with my friends before I leave.  I plan on holding onto my friendships while I'm overseas. I will be able to write letters (hand-write, not used to doing that!), send and receive email, check Facebook, and keep up with my blog. And I'll have a cell phone. Texting is the main source  of communication between Peace Corps Volunteers and their families and friends back home. I'll miss my running club, Shenipsit Striders and the Northern Connecticut Land Trust. There is nothing like being a part of two fabulous organizations that do so many positive things.

I will leave my sons, my kitties, and my friends. I will leave the town I grew up and raised my family in. I will leave the forests I’ve grown so familiar with and love. I will miss so many things here.

This emotional 'place' I'm entering will be balanced out with the excitement of what lies ahead of me. I'll make new friends with other volunteers and the people I will live with in Zambia. I will keep busy with my Peace Corps work (still not sure exactly what I'll be doing), and I will spend a lot of my time becoming familiar with the plants and animals. And I'm looking forward to the beauty of the sun setting and rising and the stars and moon at night that will remind me of the connections I have back home.  

It's hard to think about this transition when I'm so busy with life in general. As long as I keep things in balance and take one step at a time, I should be OK with moving ahead in my life.