The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator 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 an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.
Since that day, there have been 200,000+ Volunteers in 71 posts serving 77 countries. Presently, Peace Corps is in 77 different countries around the world with the highest population of volunteers serving in Africa (37%). There are currently 8,655 volunteers serving in Peace Corps with the majority of volunteers being female (60%) and the average age of a volunteer being 28.
This year is currently the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps and the organization has much to celebrate. Since 1961 the Peace Corps have been moving towards completing their mission which boiled down is 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.
They have been successfully been pushing towards completing this mission home and abroad. It is never to late to join Peace Corps - it will be the toughest job you'll ever love!
