The United States Peace Corps
As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Peace Corps Volunteers work at the grassroots level toward sustainable change that lives on long after their service—at the same time becoming global citizens and serving their country. When they return home, Volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences—and a global outlook—that enriches the lives of those around them.
The Peace Corps' Mission
To promote world peace and friendship
by fulfilling 3 goals:
1.To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women
2.To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served
3.To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans
Peace Corps Today
Making a difference in communities abroad, the lives of Volunteers, and in the United States.
Although times have changed since the Peace Corps' founding in 1961, the agency's mission—to promote world peace and friendship—has not.
The Peace Corps has been a leader in international development and citizen diplomacy for more than 50 years across more than 139 countries. In an increasingly interdependent world, we tackle challenges that know no borders—such as climate change, pandemic disease, food security, and gender equality and empowerment. Today, the Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in collaboration with partner organizations and using cutting-edge technologies and well-tested best practices to enhance impact.
Our more than 215,000 current and returned Volunteers know that the Peace Corps changes lives—both their own and the lives of people in communities around the world. They learn about leadership, ingenuity, self-reliance, and relationship building and become global citizens. Peace Corps Volunteers reflect the very best of humanity, innovation and aspiration for a better tomorrow. When they return home, they share their stories and experiences and give back to their own communities, helping to strengthen international ties and increase our global competitiveness.
Global Influence
The Peace Corps is an integral part of the global community helping to eradicate disease, feed the hungry, and address other worldwide challenges through innovative, grassroots solutions.
http://www.peacecorps.gov/today/
Effort in Africa
Washington — Peace Corps volunteers worldwide are supporting the new U.S. government 'Let Girls Learn' effort by increasing opportunities for women and girls through education.
'Let Girls Learn' launched June 20 to raise awareness about the need to support all girls in their pursuit of a quality education. The effort, coordinated by the U.S. Agency for International Development, includes $231 million in new education programs in Nigeria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Jordan and Guatemala.
Peace Corps volunteers are working to empower women and girls through programs in Benin, Morocco and Senegal, among other places.
BENIN
In Benin, Peace Corps volunteers Heather Pace of Dublin, California, Kelly Baug of Hamlin, New York, and Ashley Gannon of Harrington, Delaware, are spearheading efforts to organize a Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) for local girls. The weeklong camp will help participants develop leadership skills and learn about important health and social issues affecting their communities.
Girls will attend sessions that discuss vital public health concerns, emphasize the value of education, focus on building life skills, and encourage creativity and critical thinking. On the final day of the camp, Pace and her fellow volunteers and community members will lead a discussion on how girls can bring what they learned back to their villages.
"The girls will be mentored by adult Beninese women who have been selected for the exceptional example they set as professional, progressive women, as well as older girls from last year's camp selected as outstanding participants," said Pace, a graduate of St. John's University who has been living in Benin since 2012. "Most importantly, the girls will be surrounded by positive encouragement. They will be reminded that they are special and valuable."
Camp GLOW is a Peace Corps program that began in Romania in 1995 to promote female empowerment. The program began in Benin in 2004 and has been widely successful.
MOROCCO
During her Peace Corps service, recently returned volunteer Sarah Quinn of Athens, Georgia, collaborated with a group of 40 female artisans to teach marketable skills to young Moroccan women at a 10-day camp. The artisans mentored camp participants in traditional craftwork, and local female leaders led supplemental workshops on successful business practices to encourage creativity and give the women an opportunity to establish financial independence.
"The camp created new opportunities for both the artisans and the girls who attended," said Quinn, a graduate of the University of Georgia. "The artisans thrived in their roles of planning and implementing the logistics of the camp. The girls not only learned the basics of several traditional handicrafts, but really poured their energy and creativity into several remarkable pieces. It was a really successful 10 days in every way."
Following the camp's success and popularity, Quinn's community plans to make it an annual event, and the artisans are looking into further mentorship opportunities for local women.
SENEGAL
In Senegal, Peace Corps volunteer Brian Harris-McTigue of Brooklyn, New York, is working with fellow volunteers and community members to host a weeklong leadership camp for girls ages 12-16. Volunteers and community members will lead educational sessions throughout the week to empower and equip girls with tools to become the next generation of female leaders.
"Girls are selected to participate in the camp based on their academic promise, leadership ability and motivation," said Harris-McTigue, a graduate of Wheaton College who has been living in Senegal since 2013. "At the camp, the girls will learn to take ownership of their own lives."
Camp sessions will include topics like healthy lifestyle choices, financial literacy and planning for the future. To ensure sustainability, Harris-McTigue and his fellow volunteers will train their community members to independently organize and manage future camps that promote youth volunteerism and positive gender development in the region.
A portion of funds for the leadership camp are being raised through the Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP), which supports Peace Corps volunteer community projects worldwide. The PCPP funds will be used to purchase materials for the camp's educational workshops, transportation and meals. The local community will provide resources to cover guest speaker and counselor fees, classroom space and entertainment.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201406232903.html?viewall=1
댓글 없음:
댓글 쓰기