2010.03.04: Zambia RPCV Jeff Rhodes urges student activism as Peace corps recruiter
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2010.03.04: Zambia RPCV Jeff Rhodes urges student activism as Peace corps recruiter
Zambia RPCV Jeff Rhodes urges student activism as Peace corps recruiter
In Zambia, he was known as Jesus. At the informational meeting in the atrium of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs on Wednesday night as part of Peace Corps Week, Peace Corps alumnus Jeff Rhodes was simply an advocate for the program, presenting his experiences to a small crowd of about 20 potential applicants. His Zambian nickname came from both his well-cultivated beard as well as his mission to educate the local people on the health risks of their country, most notably malaria. Rhodes' main message was motivation; It takes dedication to serve two years in a developing country. Making an effort to learn the language and culture makes you stand out to the native people. "The more you jump into that stuff, the more endearing it is to the people you're with," he said, recalling how the local women would literally fall on the ground when he started negotiating with them at the market.
Zambia RPCV Jeff Rhodes urges student activism as Peace corps recruiter
Peace Corps vet urges student activism
By Lauren Clason | IDS
POSTED AT 12:05 AM ON Mar. 4, 2010 |
In Zambia, he was known as Jesus.
At the informational meeting in the atrium of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs on Wednesday night as part of Peace Corps Week, Peace Corps alumnus Jeff Rhodes was simply an advocate for the program, presenting his experiences to a small crowd of about 20 potential applicants.
His Zambian nickname came from both his well-cultivated beard as well as his mission to educate the local people on the health risks of their country, most notably malaria. Rhodes' main message was motivation; It takes dedication to serve two years in a developing country. Making an effort to learn the language and culture makes you stand out to the native people.
"The more you jump into that stuff, the more endearing it is to the people you're with," he said, recalling how the local women would literally fall on the ground when he started negotiating with them at the market.
Rhodes now works as a recruiter for the program, a far cry from the health work he did in Zambia, where he hauled his own water, cut his own firewood and spent his vacations in Zanzibar.
"I need to start bringing my traditional dress around for these presentations," he said. "It's so much more comfortable than a suit and tie, and it gets the point across so much better."
Peace Corps Week marks the 49th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy signing the agency into existence on March 1, 1961.
As Rhodes said, the Peace Corps is a great experience, but the more assimilated you become, the more work there is.
"When you break that barrier and become their friend, that's when the real work starts happening."
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: March, 2010; Peace Corps Zambia; Directory of Zambia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Zambia RPCVs; Recruitment
When this story was posted in May 2010, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
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Story Source: IDS News
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Zambia; Recruitment
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