Peace Corps
Peace Corps
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich,” said President John F. Kennedy during his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961 (Weitsman15). Unlike presidents before him, Kennedy had a desire to reform the American attitude of ignorance and apathy towards the world, leading him to challenge a “new generation of Americans” to join “a grand and global alliance” (Weitsman 15). This “global alliance” was intended to combat tyranny, poverty, disease, and war and later became an organization now known as The Peace Corps (Weitsman15). First established in March 1961, The Peace Corps became exactly what Kennedy had envisioned: an organization that would send American volunteers to work with citizens of Third World countries to help their societies prosper and succeed. Furthermore, it would promote world peace by creating international friendships and awareness (Weitsman16). However, what Kennedy did not envision was a generation who, despite its altruistic ideals, was fearful of joining the organization because of health and safety concerns. Nevertheless, this mindset was and continues to be what prevents many young college graduates from participating in such a life-changing experience. Concerns for self-protection often prevent potential volunteers from joining the Peace Corps, but the education and preparation that the Peace Corps provides makes the organization much safer than most people imagine. Because joining the Peace Corps is a huge sacrifice to many, having plenty of questions and concerns before doing so is completely normal. The most common concern is one’s physical well being. The chance of a volunteer getting sick at one point or another during his or her two years is almost guaranteed. “Being in a developing country often means exposing yourself to a host of weird diseases, parasites, and other ailments, which can be very discouraging for someone who otherwise really wants to join the Peace
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich,” said President John F. Kennedy during his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961 (Weitsman15). Unlike presidents before him, Kennedy had a desire to reform the American attitude of ignorance and apathy towards the world, leading him to challenge a “new generation of Americans” to join “a grand and global alliance” (Weitsman 15). This “global alliance” was intended to combat tyranny, poverty, disease, and war and later became an organization now known as The Peace Corps (Weitsman15). First established in March 1961, The Peace Corps became exactly what Kennedy had envisioned: an organization that would send American volunteers to work with citizens of Third World countries to help their societies prosper and succeed. Furthermore, it would promote world peace by creating international friendships and awareness (Weitsman16). However, what Kennedy did not envision was a generation who, despite its altruistic ideals, was fearful of joining the organization because of health and safety concerns. Nevertheless, this mindset was and continues to be what prevents many young college graduates from participating in such a life-changing experience. Concerns for self-protection often prevent potential volunteers from joining the Peace Corps, but the education and preparation that the Peace Corps provides makes the organization much safer than most people imagine. Because joining the Peace Corps is a huge sacrifice to many, having plenty of questions and concerns before doing so is completely normal. The most common concern is one’s physical well being. The chance of a volunteer getting sick at one point or another during his or her two years is almost guaranteed. “Being in a developing country often means exposing yourself to a host of weird diseases, parasites, and other ailments, which can be very discouraging for someone who otherwise really wants to join the Peace
Cited: "About the Peace Corps." Peace Corps. USA Freedom Corps. <http://www.peacecorps.gov/>. Banerjee, Dillon. So, You Want to Join the Peace Corps What to Know Before You Go. Berkeley, Calif: Ten Speed Press, 2000. Egendorf, Laura K. Africa. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2005. "Mohandas Gandhi Quotes." Brainy Quotes. 2007. Xplore, Inc. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mohandas_gandhi.html>. Smith, Matthew. "FAQs." The OSU Peace Corps Recruiting Office. The OSU School of International Studies. <http://ieo.okstate.edu/ieo.aspx?page=79>. Straker, David. "Creative Quotes and Quotations on Ideas..." Creating Minds. 2007. Syque. <http://creatingminds.org/quotes/ideas.htm>. Weitsman, Madeline. The Peace Corps. New York, NY: Chelsea House, 1989.