Since 1961, the Peace Corps has sent young Americans all over the world to help those in need, inspired by John F. Kennedy's plea to "ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country."
Kennedy created the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. He envisioned the Peace Corps as a way to spread American values throughout the world and to combat the stereotype of the "Ugly American." Since then, the Corps has expanded greatly, and now Peace Corps volunteers are currently working in 65 countries on almost every continent.
A total of 163 Peace Corps volunteers have come from the Memphis area, including Dominique Doss. After graduating from the University of Memphis in 2011 with a degree in journalism, Doss will be heading to Belize on June 24 to instruct the locals on how better to take care of their health.
"One day, I was talking to my father and he told me 'You can't save the world, Dominique,'" she said. "I figured this would be a good chance to try."
Volunteers are involved in a number of projects, such as helping farmers by introducing new crops and farming techniques to increase their food security and decrease hunger, slowing the spread of HIV vulnerable countries by instructing others in HIV prevention and care, teaching vital subjects like science and math to children who would otherwise have little or no access to an education and helping to stop malaria in Africa, among other projects. The Peace Corps also has a unit of volunteers dedicated to smaller-scale, high-impact projects and disaster relief.
Before joining, volunteers have to go through a stringent application process that may take up to a year. After deciding what they want to do and submitting an application online, volunteers go through an interview process where a member of the Peace Corps staff determines what their personal attributes are, their dedication to the corps and how suited they would be for their chosen position.
Once the interview is completed, volunteers have to wait for a slot to open up in the position of their choice. Once it does, the Peace Corps sends out an invitation, giving them some background information on the country they're being sent to. If they decide to join, they must make a doctor's appointment and get the required medical exams and immunizations before leaving the U.S.
There are some substantial financial benefits to volunteering with the Peace Corps. While on assignment, volunteers are given an allowance that covers food and housing, health and dental insurance and transportation costs to and from the country they're serving in. A volunteer's student loans may be deferred as well. They get two vacation days a month-or 48 days over two years. And, once they get back home, the Peace Corps provides them with $7,425 before taxes to help them make the transition. A typical length of service in the Peace Corps is 27 months.
But some benefits go beyond money. Alethea Parkers, a public affairs specialist with the Peace Corps Southeast Regional Office, said many of the benefits of working with the Peace Corps are intangible.
"Volunteers work side-by-side with local teachers, farmers, business owners, local governments and/or non-governmental organizations," Parker said. "By doing so, volunteers are personally integrated in the community-based development process. Also, Volunteers are immersed in the culture and often gain global perspectives that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Peace Corps service can help jump start careers and inspire international interactions."
While serving, Peace Corps volunteers can take the opportunity to interact with their neighbors, learn the local language and customs, find hobbies and generally integrate with their host culture.
Even so, serving with the Peace Corps can be occasionally dangerous. Volunteers are often posted to remote areas with little access to medical attention. Despite the risks involved with becoming a Peace Corps member, Doss wouldn't want to do anything else.
"It definitely is (rewarding)," Doss said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would do it all over again." Students interested in joining the Peace Corps can visit peacecorps.gov.
