A few years ago, I was going to the library to return some books. In the lobby, on the bulletin board, between the lost pet flyers and notices for upcoming communications workshops, there was a poster for the Peace Corps. It was the sort of poster with strips of perforated paper on the bottom, each with the number and URL of the Peace Corps. I took one. It's been in my wallet ever since.
There's so much need in this world. I feel sick sometimes, knowing that there are people in dire need of food, water, or medical attention and that I am doing nothing to help them. People know that I feel this way, but I've never told anyone about the Peace Corps paper in my wallet.
They need me. I'm going to do it.
Anonymous
05:53:18 PM
9 comments:
Go for it!
You're fantastic.
Well you can surely create a small dent in the world, but is it really worth it? There was an article on MSN I think about the growing idealism of young people, and how it's putting a financial strain on their parents because they aren't making much money from these endeavors, as well as how it's deferring college entrance/attendance altogether.
It makes more sense to work for the long term ability to be a politician or advocate for these people, rather than a feel-good carwasher or bake sale enthusiast ala the Peace Corps. If you join up now, you're doing it for yourself, not them.
Maybe I should clear this up now. I had a cousin in the Peace Corps. She spent two years in Mauritania, helping to educate the schoolaged girls in the area. She had the patience of a saint.
The Peace Corps is not about giving out food, water, and medical attention (as noble as those causes are). It is about helping people to better their own lives.
That said, DO IT. It is supposedly an amazing experience, and let me tell you, it looks (horrible as this sounds) wonderful on a college application.
Do it, especially as you seem to feel so strongly about it. I honestly think that it's wonderful.
Join the Army instead, you'll get a better chance to help people, more training to do it, and they'll pay for your college as well.
^ You only get to go to college if you survive the enlistment.
Remember, you serve at the leisure of the federal govenment, unbeholden to promises made by recruitment officers.
actually most peace corps volunteers go to college and then go to the peace corp. Its not as easy to get in as you might think, They will help pay for you student loans. Volunteers that know nothing about what they need done are not a great help, though still helpful.
I will quote Box-Box in saying that I hope the OP is either " belittled, or if they look at it objectively, taught more about their interest" by these comments.
Rashi is completely right - simply handing out food, water, medical aid, etc. does nothing for a struggling community besides make them dependent on an outside source for aid. More than anything else, people need to be educated as to how their community can learn to self-sustain.
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