The Meaning of ‘Peace Corps Week’
The Peace Corps is a “service opportunity for motivated change-makers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation.” Their mission is to promote world peace and build friendships. From February 26- March 4 is Peace Corps Week. It is a week commemorating “President Kennedy’s establishment of the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. During this annual event, the Peace Corps community celebrates all the ways that Peace Corps makes a difference at home and abroad and renews its commitment to service.”
I have always heard about the Peace Corps growing up, but never fully understood the magnitude of it until I attended a seminar over it. I realized they were more than institution created to promote world peace. I learned that there are so many aspects to it. For example, there are seven different work areas ranging from agriculture to education to health. All these selfless areas are used to serve others. Peace Corps wants to promote international development and culture exchange through their volunteers. I feel, as if, this institution was created not only to help others but to change the lives of volunteers also.
Through attending a Peace Corps seminar, I could hear stories and the experiences of actual volunteers. I was sincerely blown away. Some volunteers had to live in harsh conditions but persevered, in order, to serve a greater purpose. Other volunteers described the helplessness they sometimes felt living in foreign nations. However, the one common thing all volunteers described was the impact they felt they had made or the people they were with made on them.
Seeing and hearing about how much needs to be done or changed in the world, and the need for more people to serve inspired me. It showed me that even though the world can seem cruel at times, there is still hope through these selfless volunteers. I believe most people do not about Peace Corps Week. It seems, as though, it is overlooked. However, I believe more people need to be aware of the good others are doing out there and try to join in! This year’s Peace Corps Week theme is hospitality.
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