happy birthday, peace corps!

this year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the peace corps, and coy and i are thrilled to be a part of it. in honor of 50 years of rocking people's worlds, i would like to share some information with all of you.

A Proud History, An Ever-Changing World

The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then-Sen. John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew a federal government agency devoted to world peace and friendship.

Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has adapted and responded to the issues of the times. In an ever-changing world, Peace Corps Volunteers have met new challenges with innovation, creativity, determination, and compassion. From AIDS education to emerging technologies to environmental preservation to new market economies, Peace Corps Volunteers have helped people build better lives for themselves. Their work in villages, towns, and cities around the globe represents a legacy of service that has become a significant part of America’s history and positive image abroad.

This unique heritage continues to inspire and, since 1961, 200,000+ Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 139 countries and making a difference every day.

The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Fast Facts

History

Peace Corps officially established:

March 1, 1961

Total number of Volunteers and trainees to date:

200,000+

Total number of countries served:

139

Volunteers

Current number of Volunteers and Trainees:

8,655

Gender:

60% female, 40% male

Marital Status:

93% single, 7% married

Minorities:

19% of Peace Corps Volunteers

Average Age:

28

Volunteers over age 50:

7%

Education:

90% have at least an undergraduate degree

Countries and Projects

Current number of countries served:

77 countries

Volunteers by Work Area

1. Education: 37%
2. Health & HIV/AIDS: 22%
3. Business Development: 14%
4. Environment: 13%
5. Agriculture: 4%
6. Youth Development: 5%
7. Other: 5%

Where Volunteers Serve

1. Africa: 37%
2. Latin America: 24%
3. Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 21%
4. Asia: 7%
5. The Caribbean: 5%
6. North Africa/Middle East: 4%
7. Pacific Islands: 3%

Budget

Fiscal year 2010 budget:

$400 million

Fiscal year 2011 budget:

$400 million*

Peace Corps Director

Aaron S. Williams (Dominican Republic 1967-70)

Peace Corps Deputy Director

Carrie Hessler-Radelet (Western Samoa 1981-1983)

for more info, check out the peace corps website at www.peacecorps.gov

on march 1, 2011, coy and i will arrive in san jose, costa rica to begin our training with the peace corps. this date is exactly 50 years from the date president john f. kennedy signed the executive order creating the peace corps. how cool is that?

we will spend approximately 27 months in costa rica, with ten weeks of training followed by two years of service. in costa rica, there are currently four different peace corps programs:

1. rural community development
2. community economic development
3. teaching english as a foreign language
4. children, youth and families

coy and i have been invited to serve in the children, youth and families (cyf) program. we are very excited about the possibilities and feel that we have a lot to offer. because each individual community varies so greatly, we do not know exactly what we will be doing for the next two years. however, we would like to share the goals of our program:

"The purpose of the CYF project is for children, youth and families living in difficult environments to be empowered with the education, skills and resources necessary to guarantee their rights under the Convention of the Rights of the Child, and to assume positive roles in the healthy development of their own lives, of their communities, and in the world of work.

The purpose is achieved through three project goal areas:

1. Children, youth and parents will increase and apply life skills and healthy living practices to be better equipped to meet life’s challenges

2. Children, youth and parents will be active citizens, trained to engage in voluntary service and development activities in their communities.

3. Children and youth will be prepared with the academic and professional formation needed to succeed in the world of work."

keep checking our blog to see what that really looks like on the ground! we will try our very best to share as often as we are able. we always love hearing from you, too! email us or write to us at:

coy & melissa

cuerpo de paz

apartado postal 1266-1000

san jose

costa rica

p.s. you should probably add in our last names!