US Peace Corps

The Peace Corps has a significant impact on the world today and has continued to for the past 48 years. With occupying nearly 139 countries worldwide, they use their skills and training to make a difference. The mission of the Peace Corps is to provide technical assistance, cultural exchange (learning culture & customs), and to bring it back home after service and educate Americans. The length each term consists of 3 months of training followed by 24 months in the “bush” activity. The benefits that are included are full medical and dental coverage, paid flights, housing allowance, and a living allowance.

The resources that I have gained my knowledge from are both the Peace Corps website, www.peacecorps.gov, and the Peace Corps representative for the west coast, Travis Axton, who spoke in our Multicultural Literature class today at CSU Chico. After joining the Peace Corps, Travis was told that he was going to be sent to Zambia. From there, he met with his team in the states where they got to know each other, and prepared themselves for service. This 3 month training time covered things like how to greet one another, local customs, security, medical issues, language, and types of food that they could eat. After the training period was over he was sent to Zambia. There he was highly welcomed and greeted by the locals. He said that they had women dance around and bang percussions for him followed my a ceramony of slaughtering a chicken.  This ritural was typically only reserved for the chiefs.  He was introduced to his partner who name was James Bond, and together they worked to better the villiage and provide any services they could offer. All the time he was there, he spent a lot of time getting to know the language and what words are important.  He said that everyone should know how to say respect over there because it is very important to them.  He also demonstrated a variety of special handshake type greetings that were custom to the people.  While he was there he helped with the village as well as treated those who were diagnosed with AIDS, TB, and Malaria. On occasion, he got the opportunity to travel, and see the geography and local landmarks. He says that joining the Peace Corps was the best decision he has ever made. Not only did he learn a different language and get to help people, but he was able to survive in very adverse conditions.

After he returned back to America, he as well as any other returning from service received $6000 for resettling. After joining the Peace Corps, employers want to hire you and you become a part of a network of over 190 thousand people that have also joined the Peace Corps.  All around it is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to make a difference.