I am one of the female Peace Corps volunteers who was raped in Guatemala in 1997. The situation intensified when I was joined in Washington D.C. by three other female volunteers from Guatemala who had been raped there also. What the public doesn't understand is that when you are medically separated (for reasons beyond your control)you are not eligible for the benefits bestowed upon PC volunteers who complete their service. You find yourself with no monetary compensation, no federal employment benefits, and no chance of accessing programs like the PC Fellows Program for graduate education. The only thing you have is your 'Description of Service' and Peace Corps on your resume. It is a shame the Peace Corps doesn't find a decent way to compensate those volunteers who have truly "sacrificed" a lot more than they signed up for. It is also a miracle they have not been slapped with a class action lawsuit by volunteers who have been attacked during their services.

By Daniel (ca03-ch01-bl02.ca-sanfranc0.sa.earthlink.net - 207.69.139.134) on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:09 pm: Edit Post

You are right Mollie.

Daniel