I’ve discovered that in the last 6 months much controversy has arisen. The Dayton Daily News has written a seriously in depth investigative series of articles called "Casualties of Peace" regarding the current conditions and risks that the PCV’s face.
When last we spoke…
I was off to a Peace Corps presentation. I dragged my parents along for a “can you even believe I’m thinking about doing this?” sanity check. (I’m sooo waaaay tooo old to be needing my mom’s approval about what I do with my life. Right?) To my surprise, I really didn’t get much of a reaction from them one way or the other! I think, that they think, that: either:
a) I have lost my mind completely, and as such it would be cheaper and more convenient if I quietly left the country under my own power
OR
b) That I’m not serious and won’t go anyway.
To tell the truth, I’m not sure I am serious…there are times I am, but just as much of the time I think "there’s no freaking way I’m flying half a around the world to get diarrhea, malaria, and live in a dirt mound for 2 years".
The “Pitch”…
The presentation was a couple of hours long, partly the expected tear-jerky-toughest-job-you’ll-ever-love blah blah schpeel you’d expect; and partly an opportunity to meet / hear from Returned PCV’s (RPCV’s) and hear their stories and experiences (interesting). I’m sure that the RPCV’s that return after gruesome machete attacks or those that are blind in one eye because it was eaten by dung beetles don’t get the opportunity to “take it on the road” like the healthy specimens we met, but all skepticism aside, it was a moving and motivational evening.
The Tribe…
I was really surprised at how many people were there (200+), and very very surprised at the diversity of the group; everyone from the expected college Jr’s and Sr’s to retirees. (I was especially comforted to see that there were at least a few other 30 something women there who appeared to be sane and sober with only the slightest tinge of desperation showing) Overall it was a great presentation. Had I not done a ton of research before attending the meeting, I probably would have jumped on the bus right then and there.
However…
The Obsession Part 1…
I’ve been obsessively researching (till all ours of the night) the countries served, the nature of the work done, and the living conditions, as well as current safety and security issues. I’ve discovered that in the last 6 months much controversy has arisen. The Dayton Daily News has written a seriously in depth investigative series of articles called "Casualties of Peace" regarding the current conditions and risks that the PCV’s face. They have written exhaustively about the experiences of some living and sadly some dead RPCV’s. If you have any interest in joining the PC, this series is mandatory reading.
While I assumed that there would be some inherent risk in living in a remote area of a developing nation—I had no idea that so many volunteers (especially in the last 5-10 yrs) have suffered so horrifically. Among the most common (and apparently to be expected!) crimes endured by many is robbery and muggings. Some minor some serious. It stands to reason I suppose that when a PC living among the poorest of the poor – the “rich American” paradigm will persist; one would naturally stand out as a target to be sure. More shocking was discovering the fates of those who’ve suffered gang rapes, repeated attacks, attempted kidnappings, and even murder.
Even more shocking however are the stories of the treatment some have reported receiving from the PC after reporting their “incedents”. In many instances the PC blamed the victim’s “cultural insensitivity” as the cause of their attack/robbery/rape. In most cases the volunteer was unceremoniously “booted” out; sent home with no attempt made at finding or prosecuting their perpetrators. In some instances, it was reported that a new naive PC was sent into the exact same spot to take their place, and perhaps their fate. If true, it’s not only unbelievable, but in my mind an unacceptable risk. It all certainly makes me think twice.
While there are many RPCV’s that came forward to tell of their PC experiences as a charmed life in an idyllic setting with a beautiful extended family; I noticed that a lot of those people served circa 1968—the world was a different place to be sure.
As a PC volunteer, you are generally posted alone in your village/town/city without anyway to communicate and no transportation other than a bike. The current debate centers on safety and whether or not volunteer safety is in such serious peril that major PC reforms are immediately required. One suggestion is that at a minimum of at least 2 PC’s should be posted in every post. Debate abounds as to whether or not this is an adequate solution and if it would improve security at all. At present, the majority of PCV’s are females, in their early 20’s, and Caucasian and living alone in a part of the world where no one lives alone, let alone young white women... Anonymity for the most part isn’t exactly easy- would PC's X2 make it worse??
All that being known and said, am I crazy for having started my online application??
