Happy 50th Anniversary Peace Corps!

“Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary, and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed-doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language.

But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps-who works in a foreign land-will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace.” -President John F. Kennedy

On March 1st, 1961 President JFK signed Executive Order 10924 which established Peace Corps on a temporary pilot basis. This was the start of 50 years of over 200,000 Americans volunteering to serve in 139 countries. Volunteers work to fulfill the three goals of helping the people of interested countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower, helping promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of the people served, and promoting a better understanding of other people on the part of the American people.


I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate Peace Corps on it's 50th anniversary. Although it has not be easy and I am sure there will be more hard times to come in the next 15 or so months I will be in Botswana, I am grateful to be apart of this amazing organization. I am lucky to have this opportunity, growth and learning experience and am excited for what the rest of my service will have in store. I hope Peace Corps will have many more anniversaries to come as it seeks to promote a culture of peace and understanding amongst the nations.