The U.S. Peace Corps is an American volunteer program that sends people to countries around the world for two-year stints. It was established by Executive Order on March 1, 1961 and authorized by Congress on September 22, 1961, with passage of the Peace Corps Act. Since 1960, more than 195,000 people have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 139 countries.
Although the earliest Peace Corps volunteers were typically thought of as educational, agriculture and community development generalists, the Peace Corps had a variety of requests for technical personnel essentially from the start. For example, geologists were among the first volunteers requested by Ghana, an early country for the Peace Corps.
The Peace Corps Africa volunteers respond to various needs that impact Africa’s development. These include the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention and girls’ education, the increasing pressures of environmental degradation, advances in information technology, and the democratization process that some countries are committed to supporting. The Peace Corps has continued to develop a strong enterprise with the people of Africa. Volunteers currently work in the areas of education, health and HIV/AIDS, business development, agriculture and the environment.
Peace Corps employees receive time-limited appointments and most employees are limited to a maximum of five years of employment with the agency. This time-limit for Peace Corps jobs is referred to as the five year rule and established to ensure that Peace Corps staff remains fresh and innovative. To serve as a volunteer, you must dedicate and commit 27 months of hard work. Joining the Peace Corps commits you to the mission of promoting world peace and friendship. There is no alternative to the Peace Corps service and dedication.
Once you’ve returned as a Peace Corps volunteer, you will no doubt feel the effects of having done a great service to the world!
