Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Dennis Steele writes a Letter to the Wall Street Journal



"As an RPCV from Micronesia, I take serious issue with Mr. Rice's opinion about PC service being a vacation. Hardly. Apparently, Mr Rice knew PCV's from a very limited view."

Pcol: Will they print it?

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Dennis Steele writes a Letter to the Wall Street Journal

RPCV Dennis Steele writes a Letter to the Wall Street Journal

As an RPCV from Micronesia, I take serious issue with Mr. Rice's opinion about PC service being a vacation. Hardly. Apparently, Mr Rice knew PCV's from a very limited view.

I'm aware that the stipend varies from country to country, depending on the local economic conditions. And I imagine that in the Philippines, volunteers did earn a stipend larger than ours in Micronesia. However, while I was in Micronesia in 1981-1984, our monthly stipend started at $240, and rose during my 3 years to no more than $400, meaning it took me more than two years to 'earn' $10,000. In twenty years, that's probably gone up. I wonder where Mr Rice got his statistics about the stipend.

The vacation comment really burns. Mr Rice may not see all the work that goes on, but there is a tremendous amount of work. In my case, after teaching daily in my local elementary school and coaching the teachers about the health curriculum I was helping to develop, I expanded my work to two other elementary schools at least once each week. During the summers I worked daily with my PC colleagues to compile our work into a single curriculum guide, then publish it for the 35 elementary schools in the state of Pohnpei to use.

Additionally, I worked at a local girls school to teach health education, at a local Outward Bound school to create short videos on local topics, at my garden on my local family's property, and during my third year at the local PC office as Volunteer Leader.

Somehow, I think the work I did as a volunteer certainly deserves better than to be called a vacation. Mr Rice likely didn't do nearly that much or that kind of work as a career diplomat. And I imagine more than a few of Mr Rice's colleagues in the diplomatic corps have more of a vacation in their work than most Peace Corps volunteers ever will.

I'll even bet that my work as a volunteer paid off in good will toward the US, that Mr Rice's colleagues in the diplomatic corps never achieved that level of good will in the world through their work.

Unfortunately, the value of Mr Rice's comments don't merit this kind of response. That his opinion was published in the Wall Street Journal is a real shame, especially when the opinions are supported by no facts nor data.

Would the WSJ print a rebuttal from REAL volunteers?

Dennis Steele
RPCV, Pohnpei (Micronesia) 1981-1984

When this story was posted in March 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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March 1, 1961: Keeping Kennedy's Promise On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order #10924, establishing the Peace Corps as a new agency: "Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed--doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language. But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps--who works in a foreign land--will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace. "

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Paid Vacations in the Third World? Retired diplomat Peter Rice has written a letter to the Wall Street Journal stating that Peace Corps "is really just a U.S. government program for paid vacations in the Third World." Director Vasquez has responded that "the small stipend volunteers receive during their two years of service is more than returned in the understanding fostered in communities throughout the world and here at home." What do RPCVs think?

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RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace Corps Timothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

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Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their reserve military obligations after active duty by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" and RPCV Chris Matthews leads the debate on "Hardball." Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. Read our poll results. Latest: Congress passed a bill on December 22 including language to remove Peace Corps from the National Call to Service (NCS) military recruitment program

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PC establishes awards for top Volunteers Gaddi H. Vasquez has established the Kennedy Service Awards to honor the hard work and service of two current Peace Corps Volunteers, two returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and two Peace Corps staff members. The award to currently serving volunteers will be based on a demonstration of impact, sustainability, creativity, and catalytic effect. Submit your nominations by December 9.

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Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong 170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.

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