The importance of developing relationships during the two years a volunteer serves cannot be understated. People of other countries connect with regular U.S. citizens. They gain an understanding of Americans that is much different from the images portrayed in TV programs or movies. Volunteers participate in the joys and tribulations of peoples that often never make it into the headlines of newspapers back home.
Bolivia RPCV Roderick S. Baker writes: Celebrating 50 years of Peace Corps
Roderick S. Baker: Celebrating 50 years of Peace Corps
By Roderick S. Baker Winona winonadailynews.com | Posted: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 12:00 am
It's been said that being a Peace Corps volunteer is "the toughest job you'll ever love."
Living and working where the people, customs, culture, food expectations are all new can make it tough. Growing to serve and know these people makes it all worthwhile.
Since President John F. Kennedy created the corps in 1961, volunteers have been making a difference overseas and in the U.S.
The Peace Corps officially celebrates its 50-year anniversary today.
More than 200,000 men and women have served in 139 countries since 1961. There are more than 25 Returned Peace Corps volunteers in the Winona area alone.
Julie Chiasson, a nurse at Bluffview Montessori School, worked as a nurse in Sierra Leone from 1985 to 1989. Her role included teaching midwives and mothers about labor and delivery as well as the importance of immunizations. She also helped surgeons.
Volunteers serve only in those countries in which they are invited. The mission is threefold:
n Helping countries meet the need for trained men and women
n Helping promote a better understanding of Americans overseas
n Helping Americans gain a better understanding of the people served by volunteers or, simply, bring it back home.
Volunteers work with people who want to improve their situation in life in developing nations.
According to recent figures, there are 8,655 volunteers working in 77 countries. While going to serve others, volunteers often get much more in return - an understanding of others.
Chiasson says that she's not sure she would be so involved working with people of other cultures in the Winona area if she had not been a volunteer.
Jenn Baechle, a Winona State University graduate, taught English and teacher training in Kazakhstan from 2008 to 2010. She just returned to Winona in December. Through a grant and donations, Jenn and local teachers also added more than 300 English children's books to the village library. Baechle says that it sometimes takes a while to see the difference you can make.
"One boy in particular told me that just by watching the way I interact with people and how sure of myself I looked, gave him the confidence to be his own person and work harder to realize his dreams," she wrote.
The importance of developing relationships during the two years a volunteer serves cannot be understated. People of other countries connect with regular U.S. citizens. They gain an understanding of Americans that is much different from the images portrayed in TV programs or movies. Volunteers participate in the joys and tribulations of peoples that often never make it into the headlines of newspapers back home.
The organization has evolved with world events over the decades. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, volunteers were invited to serve in former Soviet-bloc countries in the 1990s. Many roles were in English education and youth and community development. Given the state of affairs in the Middle East, the corps' mission is as important today as it was in 1961.
In North Africa and the Middle East, volunteers work with youth development and teach English in Jordan. They promote environmental education and small business development in Morocco.
The corps continues to attract those who want to make a difference. I recently spoke with WSU senior Alexa Hanson. She has applied because she "loves helping people, loves to travel, and enjoys other cultures and food."
Join us tonight for a local 50th anniversary celebration. Former volunteers will be sharing their experiences at the WSU Science Laboratory Center auditorium from 6 to 8pm. For details contact Julie Chiasson at juliebruno@yahoo.com.
Baker served in Bolivia from 1994 to 96. He is currently the quality and admin pool manager at RiverSide Electronics. Rod.s.baker@gmail.com.
