The Peace Corps agency was created fifty years ago by President Kennedy with the goal of helping countries create and sustain development programs and help create a better mutual understanding between Americans and people outside the US about each other. Although some praise the Peace Corps for great accomplishments, critics call the organization "founded on mythology and anecdote" and believe that "Kennedy would be greatly disappointed."
Do you think that the Peace Corps is more of a success or a failure? Should this program be "scrapped" as many critics believe? Is this program worth keeping? And if it is, what changes should be made to make it more effective, if any?
4 comments:
I hope this isn't too biased, but whenever I hear about the Peace Corps there is such a warmth associated for what I feel towards what they do. Volunteers, VOLUNTEERS are sent to various parts of the world to help tribes/communities. Whether or not they build houses, teach school subjects, or help set up a clean running water system, I have so much respect for this group of people. I'm not sure what Kennedy had in mind, but because of these compassionate servants in the world, others benefit in ways probably too many to count. If there was no Peace Corps, there would probably be more nations in dire need of things we take for granted- working toilets, hot food, etc. So, in response to your question, I think the Peace Corps is a major benefit to the world we live in today, not only as a help for other countries or a way to retain foreign relationships, but also an inspiration to the people the volunteers in the Peace Corps interact with when they are deployed and when they come back.
Mr. Doyle, our current AP Chemistry and Physics teacher, served in the Peace Corp. I think what he said epitomizes the feelings I have towards the Peace Corps: "It's the hardest job you'll ever love." Hopefully we can take their example and do the same in our own communities.
I believe the Peace Corps is by no means a failure. Most critics against it are cynical because it excuses volunteers from being drafted into the military for 4 years after they serve in the Peace Corps and possibly because it costs $400 million out of our federal budget. But the fact of the matter is, Peace Corps does SO much good and spreads a positive message about our typically stereotyped "selfish, spoiled, America." In addition, typical Americans are given the opportunity to see outside our little bubble and get exposed to the basic problems the majority of the world faces every day. Its difficult to conclude that this federal agency should be scrapped.
I do believe, however, that the Peace Corps should improve their technology especially in the communications field. Many volunteers have reported how difficult it is to communicate with the outside world. With technology nowadays, modern generators, solar cells, small, very efficient computers and satellite networks are available at a relatively inexpensive price, and there should be no reason as to why the Peace Corps shouldn't incorporate technology a little more into their program.
Every time I learn more about the Peace Corps, I want to join it myself more and more. I certainly do not think this program should be scrapped. It has so many positive benefits both to America and to the rest of the world. And hey, even Obama proposed to double the size of the Peace Corps!
Since the Peace Corps is clearly a beneficial organization, what do you think about Mick Wigal's story--Should the Peace Corps be changed so that volunteers are given more specific/ achievable goals? It doesn't seem right to me to ask a new volunteer to go out and fix a village economy.
The Peace Corps is certainly not a failure in any way, shape, or form. I do not even know how it would be seen as anything less than an organization that is meant to encourage people to act for the greater good. The opportunities that the Peace Corps offers to people are endless and most importantly, it is all volunteer work. To think that the Peace Corps is a failure is to essentially believe that all work that is done that is not compensated, is a failure as well. Not only this, but it then also discourages volunteer work, when in reality, volunteer work is perhaps just what this world needs. Too many people act in their own self-interest when there are those who cannot afford to do so because they must look out for others, including their family, to survive. The Peace Corps allows people who are better off than others to aid the less fortunate by assisting in programs such as education and youth and community development.
I'm glad that Alice brought up Mr. Doyle. I think it would be a great experience to talk to him about what it was like because as far as I can remember, he would always talk about his time overseas with great pride and satisfaction. I admire him for his willingness to learn a new language and significantly help those in need.
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