Most people think "sacrifice" when they hear the words Peace Corps. However, the typical volunteer will tell you they received much more in return than what they gave. In books like "A Life Inspired" and "The Great Adventure" past volunteers write about their life altering experiences in the Peace Crops.
In the book "A Life Inspired", author Karen Schaefer wrote about her experience in Tanzania, starting the country's very first credit union. The business raised enough money to build a new preschool for the village, which they lovingly named "Karen Kindergarten".
The thing I really liked about Schafer's writing was that she gave herself absolutely no credit for the achievement. She comically writes about her experience in the "Mzumbe Women Worker's Club", in which the club's sole purpose was to collect dues. Every week the women would pay a fixed amount into the pot. Then at the end of the month the women took turns taking the money home with them.
This struck Schafer as peculiar. She tried to explain to the women that they were not getting any more money by doing this; that they could simply save the same amount of money as they gave in dues. The women clarified, however, that they were incapable of saving. Men or children would find their money and use it. This way about once a year each woman could buy something nice like dishes for their home.
When it was Schafer's turn to take the money she felt guilty, even though she would be receiving only what she had given in the first place. Instead of taking the money she started a savings account for the women so that they could use the funds for emergencies. The women loved the idea and decided to charge each other a small amount of interest. The women dutifully paid back each loan in full and the account steadily grew.
To know that somewhere across the globe is a community that was so touched by your presence that they named a school after you is pretty impressive. Besides gaining life experiences like this one, other benefits are more tangible. words Business Week voted Peace Corps 23rd of all places to launch a career. Also Universities around the country are actively seeking out students who have completed the program. Some universities, such as Illinois State, give 100% tuition waivers for grad school along with substantial amounts of money for living expenses.
The Peace Corps commitment is two years plus a three month training period in country. My boyfriend and I have decided to get married and join together this October. If anyone is thinking that the experience would set them back in their career or be too much time to give, remember, you will get back ten times what you give.
Peace Corps Campus Representative: Heather Sutter
Berge Union, Room 110
(785) 864-7679
peacecorps@ku.edu
Leave a comment