I PEACE CORPS: INSPIRED TO SERVE

WARM-UP QUESTIONS What challenges/difficulties can volunteers face when they go to a country they haven’t been before?

What kinds of challenges can arise when members of one group or culture interact with members of another? What are some positive/negative outcomes?

About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, more than eight thousand volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development.

Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries

Peace Corps Volunteers by Work Area Education: 35% Health & HIV/AIDS: 21% Environment: 15% Business Development: 15% Agriculture: 5% Youth Development: 5% Other: 4%

What does this information say about the needs by host countries? Do you agree or disagree about the emphasis placed on education and health care?

Useful vocabulary before reading Mutual (adj): mutual feelings such as respect, trust or hatred are feelings that two or more people have for each other Mutual respect is essential in any partnership. Self-sustaining (adj): able to keep going without outside help

Stipend (n): amount of money that somebody takes as a salary Counterpart (n): someone that has the same job or purpose with somebody else Belgian Ministers are discussing the issue with French counterparts. Utilize (v): use We must discuss how to utilize the resources efficiently.

At a grass-roots level: by the side of ordinary working people Waver (v): to become weaker or less certain, fluctuate, vary We were determined not to waver from our goals. Appropriate (adj): correct or suitable for a time, situation or purpose These clothes are not appropriate for a job interview.

Focus Questions 1.What motivated President Kennedy to start the Peace Corps? 2.What challenges may arise for volunteers when they go to a country where they have never been before? 3.What conditions must be met by a country in order to host volunteers?

Skimming and Scanning for Details 1. President Kennedy made his speech at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. 2. The Peace Corps was designed to promote understanding between Americans and other cultures.

Skimming and Scanning for Details 3. Robert Sargent Shriver, the presiden’s brother-in- law, was the first director. 4. Volunteers serve for two years.

Skimming and Scanning for Details 5. A stipend is given to volunteers for basic needs, such as room, board, and a few essentials. 6. They are expected to do the same work, eat the same food, and speak the same language as the nationals of the country in which they are stationed.

Skimming and Scanning for Details 7. Volunteers teach and share their skills to help solve challenges faced by their host country. 8. The first goal of the Peace Corps is to meet the needs of host countries for skilled workers.

Skimming and Scanning for Details 9. Host countries must invite the Peace Corps. 10. Eastern Europe became open to American interests in 1990.

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