India RPCV John B. Slattery writes: Peace Corps Volunteers do get in harm's way and must leave and be taken care of properly, not unlike soldiers



My wife and I were Volunteers in rural south India from 1963-68. Our first child was born there. There were problems in India: Volunteer suicide, motorcycle death, etc. And who knows what bacteria and viruses we all carried with us since India. It was hard. We were young and stayed, doing what we believed in. This led me to a 28-year career in international work.

India RPCV John B. Slattery writes: Peace Corps Volunteers do get in harm's way and must leave and be taken care of properly, not unlike soldiers

Another View of Peace Corps Service

Published: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 8:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 8:55 p.m.

In the May 11, 2011 article "Former Volunteers expose dangers of Peace Corps Service," noted the rape of a female volunteer in Bangladesh. Receiving scant medical attention and counseling adds to the misery.

My wife and I were Volunteers in rural south India from 1963-68. Our first child was born there. There were problems in India: Volunteer suicide, motorcycle death, etc. And who knows what bacteria and viruses we all carried with us since India. It was hard. We were young and stayed, doing what we believed in. This led me to a 28-year career in international work.

Peace Corps Volunteers do get in harm's way and must leave and be taken care of properly, not unlike soldiers. Peace Corps needs to do everything they can to protect Volunteers but in reality bad stuff happens, no matter what one does.

Peace Corps is celebrating it's 50th Birthday from September 23-25, 2011 in Washington DC. Let's remember the legacy of Peace Corps for its good work overseas. I believe Peace Corps is one of the best things that America has done in the past 50 years. America has benefited immensely. Look around us! Former volunteers serve in: congress; national, state and local governments; schools and universities; national and international non-profit organizations. Why? Many Volunteers want to do something for America after helping others overseas.


John B. Slattery
Wlmington

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: May, 2011; Peace Corps India; Directory of India RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for India RPCVs; Speaking Out; Sexual Assault and Harassment; Safety and Security of Volunteers

When this story was posted in June 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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May 26, 2011: The RPCV in the White House The RPCV in the White House 8 Apr Peace Corps Recruiter Remembers Thomas Maresco 2 Mar Robbie Schwartz writes: How would my life have been different? 2 Mar Rajiv Joseph is a fresh and compelling voice in theater 5 Mar Robert Textor Releases Peace Corps Classic 13 Mar Chris Matthews writes: What's the Real Mission In Libya? 22 Mar Peace Corps Faces Budget Ax in FY2012 23 Mar Brendan Moroso writes: Revolution comes to North Africa 23 Mar Jessica Moon Bernstein has exhibition "Ourrubberos" 26 Mar Joshua Stern Founds Envaya to Provide Interent Access 26 Mar Richard Sitler Photographs PCVs around the world 27 Mar Scott Lacy is Executive Director of African Sky 29 Mar American Sailor Accused of Raping PCV in Uganda 24 Apr Scott Koepke Shares his Love for Dirt 26 Apr Jane Wolkowicz tried to be Strict Vegetarian in Kazakhstan 27 Apr George Packer Writes: Bin Laden: Better Late Than Never 2 May Clare Major Screens Film "Feast & Sacrifice" 4 May Steve Kruse and Salifu Mansaray met 40 years ago 4 May SuZanne Kimbrell Rocks in Dallas 12 May Nancy Sathre-Vogel writes:A Long Path to Nowhere 15 May Gal Beckerman writes: What is Peace Corps for? 15 May Katie Dyer Founded Fair Trade Folk Art Gallery 17 May Henry Wilhelm Honored for his Photography 25 May

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Congress Holds Hearings on Sexual Assault Congress held hearings on the sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers. Read the testimony of returned and current Peace Corps volunteers on how the problem is still ongoing, and not limited to any particular country or region. Director Williams says that "it has become apparent to me that the Peace Corps has not always been sufficiently responsive or sensitive to victims of crime and their families. I sincerely regret that." Read what the Peace Corps is doing to address the issue.

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Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest.

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How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge."

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PCV Murder Investigated ABC News has investigated the murder of Benin PCV Kate Puzey. Read our original coverage of the crime, comments on Peace Corps actions, the email Puzey sent her country director about sexual incidents with Puzey's students and with another PCV, the backstory on how RPCVs helped the Puzey family, and Peace Corps' official statement. PCOL Editorial: One major shortcoming that the Puzey murder highlights is that Peace Corps does not have a good procedure in place for death notifications.

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Join Us Mr. President! "We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .

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