The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. 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 time, more than 187,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.
Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and committing more than 1,000 new Volunteers as a part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.


The Mission
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.
The Peace Corps' mission has 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.

History
Peace Corps officially established: March 1, 1961
Total number of Volunteers and trainees to date: 187,000 Total number of countries served: 139



Current number of Volunteers and Trainees: 7,749
Gender: 59% female, 41% male
Marital Status: 93% single, 7% married
People of Color: 16% of Peace Corps Volunteers
Age: 28 years old (average), 25 years old (median)
Volunteers over age 50: 6% (oldest Volunteer is 81)
Education: 93% have at least an undergraduate degree, 13% have graduate studies or degrees




Current number of countries served: 67 posts serving 73 countries




Education: 35%
Health & HIV/AIDS: 21%
Business: 16%
Environment: 14%
Youth: 6%
Agriculture: 5%
Other: 4%

Need to get the young ppl coming out of HS in something like this (if not the Military) to serve their country for 2-3 yrs before going on to college, etc.

Hey we got one on here! Where is she at?

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

..trying to 'force' her answer, but she must be 'asleep at the switch!'

WOW...Not much I can say here...looks like you said it all.

IT was an AWESOME experience for me and it made me grow up and make decisions that I normally would not have made at such a relatively young age.

IT's a wonderful experience for not only the young but older adults as well.

I would never trade my memories or my experience for the years that I served in BOGOTA, Columbia.

Although I was a GRINGO to alot of them, I managed to make alot of friends as well, and have carried that contact with me thru the years with these people.

Anyone who isn't sure what they want to do in life, join the PEACE CORPS or even the VISTA program and you will grow in helping others.

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A young, single woman that is 'idealistic' is their mainstay and backbone!!

Congrats lady, JAM