Peace Corps

[thefuzz811]

I have a friend that is going into the Peace Corps. He is nervous because of some things he has been reading. Here is a an except from and email that he sent me: "Listen, I've been really freaking out about the Peace Corps lately. What does the corrupt government have to gain by recruiting people and sending them out to these third world countries and making them more self-sustained? Could it be that Peace Corps volunteers are Public Relations managers for America who basically say "Oh, America is great! Now let me help you set up your banana orchard so we can rip you off! Aren't we such good friends?!!" Seriously. I'm beginning to think that it's a hefty load of imperialist BS.
Is the Peace Corps a method of subtle empire expansion?
It was started in 1961 by Kennedy to quell notions in the third world of Yankee Imperialism. Does this mean that it was started to stop people believing it WAS yankee imperialism, in order for yankee imperialism to expand?
In Fiscal Year 2006, GWB proposed a 345 million dollar increase to the Peace Corps, which is an 8.7% increase over what was being awarded to their programs before."

Here is another point he makes: "In the book Confessions of an Economic Hitman, the author writes that he was in the Peace Corps. He was recruited by the National Security Agency while he was in business college, and they told him to join the Peace Corps, and right out of the Peace Corps, they primed him to become an Economic Hitman. What he does is go to struggling third world countries with resources the U.S. covets, give them a huge mega loan from the World Bank, and then part of the deal is that the money goes back to corporations like Bechtel and Halliburton, who go down there and build huge factories and infrastructure that only benefit the wealthy. To pay back the loan, which they totally can't pay back, they have to cut a lot of social programs, which screws the middle and lower classes, which leaves them at the mercy of these big corporations, which make them give their resources to us at a super-low price, so we can totally screw them. He said the Peace Corps starts laying the infrastructure and the grounds for that kind of resource sequestration. "

Has anyone served in the Peace Corps, that can weigh in on this issue? I don't know anything about the Peace Corps, that hasn't been dramatized by TV or Hollywood.

A little background on my friend. He is the true example of a great person. He cares about everyone he is involved with. He basically joined the Peace Corps, because he wants to serve people in less fortunate circumstances.

I know that it is his personal choice, I just want to see if anyone has any links to information on the Peace Corps, or can comment on personal experience.

[pooja]

1. I think it depends on where you are stationed and what you are doing?

When you get the asignment, research the country. If it looks like a cover-up for something else, then un-volunteer or switch asignments. When I looked into it, the actual work is honorable. What happens later is anyone's guess. But the people within the peace-corp are usually really cool, foward thinking people. They leave impressions that can last a long time. It is important you leave the right message.

[thefuzz811]

2. He is assigned to South America...

That is why he is worried. There is a lot of attention on the Middle East, but the U.S. still plays a huge role in South American development and suppression.

[YOY]

5. I've had friend who have served in Bolivia (the poorest of SA)

They did juuuuuuust fine.

[gratuitous]

3. If you go into the Peace Corps as a corrupt, imperialistic bastard

You'll probably come out the other end pretty much the same way.

If your friend is going into the Peace Corps to share his knowledge, experience, and labor with folks in other countries in an effort to help them improve their lot and set them on a continuing path to do better for themselves and their community, then he'll probably come out the other end an even better person for it, and come back to his own community as an example for others to follow. And that sounds like what he is doing and why he is doing it. Encourage him to be himself, do his best, and let go of the result.*

*This comes from the Brethren Volunteer Service, a forerunner and one of the models of the Peace Corps, begun by the Church of the Brethren in 1946.

[YOY]

4. You rang?

Ahhhh...where do I start. First of all, I have served in the US Peace Corps and completed my volunteer service.

"What does the corrupt government have to gain by recruiting people and sending them out to these third world countries and making them more self-sustained? ...Empire expansion?"

I would say 'grass roots diplomacy' is the answer. It has been going on for quite some time. Ripping off the banana plantations is ridiculous. THere are three missions of the Peace Corps:

1. Help them to achieve 'sustainable development'
2. Bring the culture of the US to the host country.
3. Bring the host country's culture back to the US.

I helped another volunteer help get their bee keeping standards up to EU standards. That was so they could actually export their product. If you think that is global imperialism then you should not join the Peace Corps.

I taught English to High School kids. They were nice kids and wanted to learn english. Most would go on to College and to a professional world in a (hopefully) developing economy. I doubt that is empire expansion, but it could be 'cultural imperialism'...then again they WANTED to learn it.

I have never been approached with a job offer of 'economic hitman.' and I have an MBA from a top ranked school. Frankly, I have no idea what the hell you ore the author of the book are talking about. I actually think his reasoning of the Peace Corps makes me sick.

As for your friend, he is freaking out for no good reason. Has he ever traveled/lived in another country before? Keep your wits about you, don't act like a jackass, and for christsakes remember that you're not in college anymore. Just because you don't have a CO or manager breathing down your throat doesn't mean you have no responsibilities and can use your idealism to the worst extent. Often your hands are very tied and you have little to work with but a few good natured people. Idealism is great, but you have to be realistic about the situation: YOU CANNOT FIX THINGS THERE! You can only change things a little bit and leave a good impression on the folks there.

Hollywood's take on the PC is ridiculous. There are two films that I know of: "Volunteers" and "Shallow Hal" that both have REALLY misrepresented the PC, although I rather like how "Shallow Hal" portrayed us as 'truly beautiful people.'

By-the-way, being a PCV is a thankless job. If you want to accomplish grandiose things you are aiming in the wrong direction. If you want a ticker tape parade when you come home, join the military.

[Sequoia]

6. I liked "Volunteers"

It was pretty funny and Tom Hanks was called an ugly American. He got on the plane by accident who in the end saw the error of his ways.

[YOY]

9. Oh yes, it was funny, but had little to do with how the PC operates

You can't just 'get on a plane.' One does not just 'enlist' like in the army but rather one goes through a selective process that takes months...and you better beleive that they are selective. If you don't want to be there you are allowed to go home at any time you wish, there is no prison for those who go AWOL.

It's kind of like 'Stripes' to the Army, but the thing is, most folks KNOW someone who has actually been in the army and therefore due to public knowledge about the army can actually point out the inconsistancies. Very few people understand the Peace Corps and have vast misunderstandings of what it's about.

[Sequoia]

10. When I was in 8th grade I truly wanted to join the Peace Corps

But back then you had to kill and eat your own chicken. My choice country was India. I ended up in the air force instead because also back then they wanted you to be a college graduate for most jobs.

[YOY]

11. It's never too late

They like people with life experience and I've known one fellow who was a retired cop and ex-Army. Older volunteers are treated well and I personally enjoyed their maturity as opposed to some of the 'fresh-out-of-undergrad' types who really should have not joined until they had some more experience in life.

You may still need to kill and clean your own chicken depending on where they send you. I was in Eastern Europe (the Balkans) and it was not as difficult as someplace in Africa. I've slaughtered a pig, but it was a holiday occasion with my then-girlfriend-now-wife's family. Other places you have to filter your own water and clean your own food. Although I had it 'easy', I've had Giardia several times none-the-less...

[Sequoia]

12. I might be too sqimish now.

Plus I have a school age kid. I grew up in a religous school where we had missionaries come talk to us about the 3rd world countries they'd been at with slides and what they ate. One of the staff at the time told me I'd never make it as a missionaries wife because I was too picky with my food. I thought, yep fried ants and worms are not for me.

[YOY]

13. With a school-age kid? Not a good idea

Sounds like the kid has priority here!

However, not all posts are as tough or ghastly as the missionary workers had it. Take a look at where the PC serves:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc

I assure you, that you would not be eating bugs in Russia, Mongolia, or China. I can't imagine Mexico or Jamaica being horrible experiences as well.

It's not a vacation, but it sure as hell isn't always living in the middle of nowhere.

They do take into account your health, global preferences, and capabilites. Not everybody goes to tribal Africa or Amazonian South America...just those who want to.

I knew a few volunteers who retired and then joined. The second oldest volunteer ever was in my group (78 years-old.)

[Sequoia]

14. Cool. Russia! I'm so there!

I'll just wait till I'm older then. Thanks.

[madmom]

7. Know nothing about the peace corp but my daughter joined...

Americorp, this is basically the same thing only you stay in the US. She enjoyed it very much!

[riverwalker]

8. Miss Lillian

Your post made me remember Jimmy Carter's mother, "Miss Lillian". She retired from a career as a Registered Nurse and then joined the Peace Corps at the age of 67. She spent then two years serving in India. What an amazing family.
Can you even IMAGINE Barbara Bush as a Peace Corps volunteer???? YIKES.:scared: