Peace Corps 50th Anniversary – March 1st 2011
From a very young age, one of my life goals has been to serve in the Peace Corps. I grew up listening to my father’s stories of his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines during the 1970s. He credits his Peace Corps experience with being an exciting yet humbling time, helping him mature as an individual and giving him the drive to apply to medical school. My greatest goal during my service is to work in a community where I can contribute to the lives of others, while growing as an individual. I hope to share my skills that I have learned over the course of my academic career and to also gain new skills living abroad in Ecuador. Its my first experience living in a foreign country where I am faced with challenges on a day to day basis such as cultural differences and security risks. Growing up in San Francisco, one of the most liberal cities in our country, I often took for granted the security and the basic human rights that I was afforded in my life. I have no doubt that I will encounter challenges as I work and live in the city of Guayaquil for the next two years. As I assimilate, build friendships and connections with the people around me, I strive to respectfully integrate and to secure a support system in Guayaquil. My father has urged me to have realistic expectations on my initial contributions to my community and to value all progress when faced with challenges. Through this tremendous growth experience, I will not only be giving back, but I will be receiving intangible benefits that will last a lifetime.
This month I celebrate the beginning of my service in the Peace Corps, the 2+ years of service that my father gave to his small rural village in the Philippines and the countless other Americans who currently serve in the Peace Corps across the world.
The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when 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.
President John F. Kennedy – October 14th 1960
Since 1961, 200,000+ Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 139 countries and making a difference every day. HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY PEACE CORPS and HAPPY 49th ANNIVERSARY PEACE CORPS ECUADOR !!
