November 1, 2003 - Dayton Daily News: Thank You from an RPCV By JT
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November 1, 2003 - Dayton Daily News: Thank You from an RPCV By JT
Thank You from an RPCV By JT
Thank You from an RPCV By JT
Thank You from an RPCV By JT
I too served as a volunteer in East Africa. It never sat right with me the complaceny of the administration as our incident reports skyrocketed each month, and as the embassy folks laughed that we were "Probable Crime Victims" (PCV). I'm not saying Peace Corps is all bad, those were some of the best years of my life...but the truth is that this is a dangerous world and I am glad somebody is finally drawing attention to what is happening to volunteers. I'm not saying Peace Corps shouldn't be around, but if is going to make the claim it's #1 priority is "safety and security" it should mean it. And don't bother responding to me- I don't feel like reading emails from angry RPCV's who live in a fantasy world. Maybe you weren't assaulted - but don't make victims become victims again but doubting their stories. I joined Peace Corps because I believed in helping people, not in bashing my fellow RPCV's.
True By Sherri El Sal
I'm glad you pointed out that people should not re-vicitimize those who tell their stories. For many of us, PC was not an unsafe experience. I served in El Salvador and the security seemed so much better; if we didn't get drunk and wander around at night or if we were aware of our surroundings while in transit, we were okay. Some volunteers did not report their houses being robbed because they didn't want to change sites and a couple were robbed but not hurt during my service. Anyway, at the end of my third year I could see a change. There were more pickpockets and confrontations. With gang activity and poverty rising, it doesn't feel as safe as it did my first couple years and the safety we've taken for granted may change soon.
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Story Source: Dayton Daily News
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Investigative Journalism;
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