The Peace Corps is a volunteer program sponsored by the United States Government. Their mission includes three main goals: providing technical assistance, helping others to understand American culture and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries. Volunteers are American citizens, typically have a college degree and after three months of training, will work abroad for 24 months. They work with governments, schools, non-profit organizations, hunger, business, information technology, agriculture and with environmental issues.
Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, Jr., introduced the first bill to create the Peace Corps in 1957 and his idea was not met with much enthusiasm. Traditional diplomats didn’t like the idea of having thousands of young Americans scattered around the world. Many politicians considered it to be a silly idea.
During the 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy proposed his plans for the Peace Corps. Critics, including his opponent, Richard Nixon, claimed this program would be nothing more than a safe haven for draft dodgers. Some were concerned that recent graduates would lack the necessary skills and maturity.
On March 1st, 1961, President Kennedy signed the Executive Order to establish the Peace Corps. It was later authorized by Congress on September 22, 1961. Sargent Shriver, who died in January of this year, was appointed by Kennedy as the program’s first director. They began recruiting in July of 1962.
Over 200,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps and served in 139 countries since its’ founding.
