Greying of the Peace Corps
 DALLAS, Texas (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- In 1961, President Kennedy sent the first round of Peace Corps volunteers on their first mission. Nearly 50 years later, about 200-thousand Americans have traveled the world hoping to improve the human condition. While that goal is still the same, the volunteers are changing.
Back in the 60's the average volunteer had just finished college. Now you’re likely to see one who has just retired. "I was raised with JFK I was a single mom. It was something I always wanted to do. So when my sons were raised I applied," Linda Tucker, a Peace Corp volunteer and recruiter, told Ivanhoe. Tucker was 49 when she first signed up to be an HIV and aids educator in Malawi. At 56 she went to Zambia to help run a hospice.
Now Tucker is an inspiration to other older volunteers. "A lot of my applicants are in their 60s and 70s ands they are very young at heart and they know they can do it and they want to do it," said Tucker. Right now, there are about 400 Peace Corps volunteers over the age of 50. But recruiters are hoping to bring that number up. "We are looking for men and women who bring additional skills and life experience," Peace Corp spokesperson, Shannon Borders, told Ivanhoe. Borders says there’s a big need for retired teachers and health care workers. Each volunteer must go through an interview process and a medical exam. "We understand the longer you are alive the longer your medical history is," said Borders.
"It changes peoples lives. When you go you have know idea how you will be changed," said Tucker. If you would like more information, please contact: |
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October 12, 2008
- Roseburg, Oregon
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"We did not have medicine, we did not have bedding. They might have malaria, dengue fever, TB. We just had to make them comfortable so they could die in peace," said Tucker.
The oldest active volunteer is 80. Each period of commitment lasts 27 months, but the memories will last a lifetime.
