The Process has begun...today, via the Peace Corp website, I submitted my application to become a Peace Corp Volunteer (PCV). If you've followed my blog from the beginning you've read about my Peace Corp experience, for those that hasn't I'll briefly recap. I was in the Peace Corp last year and had to return due to a knee injury. I had knee surgery last August. Thursday, March 27th, my orthopaedic surgeon medically released me.
I started the application on Thursday night and finished it about 15 minutes ago. If I would have sat straight through, the application could have been completed and submitted in about four or five hours.
Before you start the actual application, you complete a mini version that takes roughly 10 minutes. It simply establishes your age (must be at least 18), your education (preferably a bachelors degree but will accept someone with an associates and experience), and your citizenship (must be a US citizen by the time you apply).
The full blown application, the one that has taken me two days to complete, covers personal information, employment history, degree information, extra curricular/volunteer information, two essay questions, debit information (such as student loans), and three people you can use for references. The second part of the application is your health status. There is roughly 90 questions and covers every body system from the nervous system to reproductive system and everything in between. If you decide to to apply to the Peace Corp let me give you some words of wisdom...do not splurge on any information your providing! If your overseas and you redevelop a condition you've had in the past and your sent home, the insurance and/or workers compensation will not cover the medical cost. Period.
Although the application process may seem long and tedious, it protects you, the Peace Corp, and the village you could be working in. You want to make sure you are physically capable of handling the projects you have before you. And, God forbid, something did happened that required medical treatment you want to know you will be covered. In the Peace Cops perspective, what you do reflects on them and their capabilities. They wouldn't want to send an individual to a site, or post, that cannot fulfil their obligations Not to mention, the Peace Corp wouldn't want to take the chance of causing illness or injury to one of their PCV's. And of course with your post, or a village, your going into the Peace Corp to help others. If you cannot fulfil your obligations you could be affecting your villages food source, for example.
So, I finished the application and submitted it. In the next three to four weeks a recruiter will be contacting me and set up for an interview. In the meantime, I need to send the paperwork to those I listed as my references and submit a form regarding my student loans that certifies I can have it deferred for the length of my time in the Peace Corp.
The process has begun. I can hardly contain my excitement! I hope documenting the process will encourage those considering joining the Peace Corp and peak interest to those looking to contribute globally.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Saint Patricks Day Blessings
The weather is changing...the snow is melting...and before we know it spring will have sprung. As I mentioned at the beginning, I'm trying to get ready to apply to the Peace Corp (which I anticipate applying next month). "What does this have to do w/spring?" you ask. I'm active anyway, doing pilates 4-6 times a weeks and a few odds and ends workout video's in between, but my passion is hiking. In the Peace Corp you do a lot of walking to get to destinations. When the snow melts, I'll pick up where I left off before I went into the Peace Corp last...not last summer (due to my knee injury and surgery), but the summer before last I was hiking/walking 10-14 miles per day. I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold (and, not to be redundant) and snow, so I suspend the hiking/walking during the winter months. So, although I enjoy hiking, its a useful tool for preparing for the Peace Corp as well...
I just finished reading a Peace Corp Volunteers blog (Lulu) and it was touching. When I went to Niger to participate as a Peace Corp Volunteer, I found out as a base level what a third world county looks like. The UN placed Niger, on a list of 177 countries, 177th as the poorest country. When you look around, you see kids in torn clothing (or none at all), people in serious need of nutrition, and land and livestock that looks sickly in their own right. In my life, I've been through times money has been beyond tight, but the communities in our country has churches, other civic organizations, and of course the government, to fall back on if we find ourselves in dire straights. I cant imagine the strife of not knowing where my (or my families) next meal was going to be coming from...people die there, they starve. And the grieving process in Niger, and I imagine its similar to many third world countries, is brief.
If a child dies, for instance, the men immediately bury the child. The women and men grieve in separate groups for one day. After which, the child is no longer spoken of. When I learned of this, I asked someone why that is. And its believed that it affects the spirit of the deceased. Even visiting the grave site (unmarked) is forbidden. It may sound cruel or unspeakable to think the dead are never spoken of or that the deceased are not honored (in our terms). But when I think of it, it seems like it is a survival technique, even if subconscious. If you were to loose a child, and you have six or seven other mouths to feed, can you afford to completely STOP and grieve or does life demand, does your remaining children's lives demand, you move on?
Lulu discusses a child she met as a few month old baby when she was posted in Niger. She celebrated the babies one year birth a few weeks ago, and a week or so later, grieved her loss. She witnessed the grieving process come and go quickly...
On this Saint Patricks Day, I say a prayer to Saint Patrick thanking him for the blessing I've been given, including where I live. Although things may seem hard here, I cant imagine living in a place where there isn't any hope for things to improve...as opposed living in a country where I can only look as far as my next meal.
In honor of Saint Patricks Day, to those serving in the Peace Corp and military, I offer the prayer of Saint Patrick
I arise today through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of the wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of the rock.
I arise today through God's strength to pilot me; God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me,God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's hosts to save me afar and anear, alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today against wounding Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation.
Take care and God bless...
I just finished reading a Peace Corp Volunteers blog (Lulu) and it was touching. When I went to Niger to participate as a Peace Corp Volunteer, I found out as a base level what a third world county looks like. The UN placed Niger, on a list of 177 countries, 177th as the poorest country. When you look around, you see kids in torn clothing (or none at all), people in serious need of nutrition, and land and livestock that looks sickly in their own right. In my life, I've been through times money has been beyond tight, but the communities in our country has churches, other civic organizations, and of course the government, to fall back on if we find ourselves in dire straights. I cant imagine the strife of not knowing where my (or my families) next meal was going to be coming from...people die there, they starve. And the grieving process in Niger, and I imagine its similar to many third world countries, is brief.
If a child dies, for instance, the men immediately bury the child. The women and men grieve in separate groups for one day. After which, the child is no longer spoken of. When I learned of this, I asked someone why that is. And its believed that it affects the spirit of the deceased. Even visiting the grave site (unmarked) is forbidden. It may sound cruel or unspeakable to think the dead are never spoken of or that the deceased are not honored (in our terms). But when I think of it, it seems like it is a survival technique, even if subconscious. If you were to loose a child, and you have six or seven other mouths to feed, can you afford to completely STOP and grieve or does life demand, does your remaining children's lives demand, you move on?
Lulu discusses a child she met as a few month old baby when she was posted in Niger. She celebrated the babies one year birth a few weeks ago, and a week or so later, grieved her loss. She witnessed the grieving process come and go quickly...
On this Saint Patricks Day, I say a prayer to Saint Patrick thanking him for the blessing I've been given, including where I live. Although things may seem hard here, I cant imagine living in a place where there isn't any hope for things to improve...as opposed living in a country where I can only look as far as my next meal.
In honor of Saint Patricks Day, to those serving in the Peace Corp and military, I offer the prayer of Saint Patrick
I arise today through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of the wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of the rock.
I arise today through God's strength to pilot me; God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me,God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's hosts to save me afar and anear, alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today against wounding Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation.
Take care and God bless...
Saturday, March 1, 2008
A Week Long Salute to Changing the World
Do you find yourself at time frustrated with the way of the world, feeling like nothing will change? Starving Childred...AID's/HIV...Uneducated...Where do we start? I can tell you this, the world started to change for the better on March 1, 1961 when John F. Kennedy signed into legislation the means to start the Peace Corp and from February 25th to March 3rd we celebrate Peace Corp Week.
Today the Peace Corp is ever present in 74 countries and has had more than 190,000 Peace Corp Volunteers. The Peace Corp works with the countries government, people, various resources ranging in areas from health (I.e. AID's prevention and treatment) to agriculture (I.e. given resources for women in developing countries the means to have a herd of their own thereby providing for their families) and everything in between.
To summarize what the Peace Corp stands for is best understand by reading their mission:
Today the Peace Corp is ever present in 74 countries and has had more than 190,000 Peace Corp Volunteers. The Peace Corp works with the countries government, people, various resources ranging in areas from health (I.e. AID's prevention and treatment) to agriculture (I.e. given resources for women in developing countries the means to have a herd of their own thereby providing for their families) and everything in between.
To summarize what the Peace Corp stands for is best understand by reading their mission:
- Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
The momentous occasion started at the University of Michigan when JFK for the first time mention the ambitions of the newly founded Peace Corp. He believed this was the "most important campaign since 1933." (Speech at University of Michigan by Senator JFK 3-1-61.)
Peace Corp Volunteers (PCV's) accept the challenge to serve in a country needing assistance they can provide through either their degree and/or their professional experiences. PCV's receive three months of training and then are sent to "post" where they remain for two years providing alternative means for people to find ways to get out of fast or famine. Of course, I'm making this sound as more of a teaching lesson for the village where you may be located, however this is far from the truth...as a PCV YOU learn a tremendous amount. You may see what hospitality truly is, what family really means, and how little importance your possessions really are. What you take away with you is worth more than all the gold in the world! And then, hopefully, your "mission" doesn't just end when you return to the states...you share what YOU'VE learned with others.
What the Peace Corp offers and what the opportunity provides for you is truly priceless.
"...this is the longest short speech I've ever made...therefore, I'll finish it! Let me say in conclusion, this University is not maintained by its alumni, or by the state, merely to help its graduates have an economic advantage in the life struggle. There is certainly a greater purpose, and I'm sure you recognize it. Therefore, I do not apologize for asking for your support in this campaign. I come here tonight asking your support for this country over the next decade. Thank you." (Speech at University of Michigan by Senator JFK 3-1-61.)
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