Join the Peace Corps

I am working at Richmond Vale Acdemy now.

If you’ve thought about the Peace Corps but,
1. You have no degree
2. 27 months is too long
3. You are not a citizen of the United States
4. You get denied
5. Its just not the right program for you….

You train in the Caribbean then go to projects in Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, or Ecuador.

Take a look at richmondvale.org
or email me at jessica@richmondvaleacademy.org

Everyone is welcome to participate regardless of citizenship, religion, age (must be at least 18), belief system, preference…

So… After much paperwork and hospital visits I have been denied :( According to the Peace Corps I have an elevated platelet condition that won’t allow me to be accepted. Anywho. I tried I gave it my all. I didn’t go the first time I was accepted and now this time around I am denied :(.... Life is interesting.

All medical paperwork was mailed today. Now the real wait begins… :)
There did not seem to be anything outstanding that would need a follow-up, but this is the Peace Corps so I am prepared for anything!!

I was nominated about 2 weeks ago.
March- SubSahara Africa- TEFL.
May 15 my medical kit was sent. I should receive it with just enough time to get my exams before I loose my insurance on May 31.
I’m excited to be moving forward. I feel good about the Peace Corps.

Today I had my phone interview. Things went really well. My recruiter said turning the Peace Corps down in 2007 does not hinder anything, he said he feels what I did in that year makes me a much stronger candidate and he highly recommends me.
He did say that due to cut backs the Peace Corps is at maximum capacity until April 2010. New positions open on May 4th and I will get my official nomination then. He did say that there have been some retro positions opening and if any become available in Sub-Sahara Africa he is highly recommending me!!
So I guess there could be a long wait, but in the end it will all work out and I am in the process again!!!

Application, complete… and now the wait begins…

In 2007 I applied and got accepted to the Peace Corps. I declined my invite and traveled with a different program. I spent 6 months volunteering in the Caribbean and 6 months volunteering in Africa. I was the only US citizen on a team of 22. It was a rare and amazing year. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
In my time abroad I met many Peace Corps volunteers, all of whom were satisfied, happy, and proud of the Peace Corps organization. (as opposed to my horrible organization that I would NEVER recommend, only 6 of my team mates finished and NONE were happy).
The Peace Corps is a good organization. If you think of going overseas to volunteer in the third world, go with Peace Corps. From what I saw, you won’t regret!

The Peace Corps is still a GREAT organization and I am honored that I was selected as a volunteer. But the Humana People to People progam is so rare.

I get to live on 3 different continents, in 3 different countries.

6 months St Vincet, Caribbean
1 year Africa
2 months South America or China

The Peace Corps is only open to Americans. I like that Humana is open to anyone so during my 6 months in St. Vincent I will be living with, eating with, and training with diverse nationalites. So far my team has representatives from: China, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Estonia, Sweden, Holland, Australia, Germany, Lativia, Lithuania, Venezuela, Brazil, Japan, USA, Canada, and Norway.

To me the Peace Corps seemed more individualistic. After the three months of training you move into your village- usually alone. Humana is a communal effort. During those 6 months of training we prepare and eat all meals together, have daily classes together, etc. When we get to Africa we live together (the huts have 2 sets of bunkbeds). We do volunteer at seperate sites and seperate projects, so there is still a level of independence.

For me I like the set up this program better. My only detterence that was leading me in the direction of the Peace Corps was the Peace Corps is all expenses paid, and you earn a stipend, and benefits when you return.

But I decided I would rather pay (and not earn money) and do what I really want to do. I defintly think it is worth the money.

Want to learn more? DRH-Movement.org

Still going to volunteer in Africa,
Most likely still Zambia,
Still woking with HIV/AIDS education and prevention…
But I’m going with another organization.

and accepted the invitation, guess that makes it official.
Now I gotta do this aspiration statement, and resume, and passport and visa stuff…