Peace Corps
The Peace Corps was established in 1961 by John F. Kennedy with three key goals in mind:
- Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
"The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged the students at the University of Michigan 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."
The Peace Corps is a government organization in which accepted applicants are invited to serve in a foreign country. Areas of service are requested by the participating countries and include education, youth and community development, health, business information and communication technology, agriculture, and environment. Accepted applicants volunteer to spend 27 months abroad and fully immerse themselves in the language and culture. Volunteers have served in 139 different countries, and work to create positive sustainable change in a global community. Peace Corps celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.
The application process is very long, on average 9-12 months (mine took about 20 months from application submission to departure). For more information on the application process, and the Peace Corps in general, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/
Madagascar
Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world, and is located in the Indian ocean off of the southeast coast of Africa. French and Malagasy are both the official languages. The population is about 22 million, and 90% of the population live on less than $2 per day-one of the poorest countries in the world.
Climate can vary greatly. It generally has two seasons: hot and rainy from November-April and cooler and dry May-October. The east coast contains tropical rain forests which can be hit by tropical storms and cyclones. The central highlands are cooler and dryer, and are the main location of Madagascar's agriculture. The west coast contains deciduous forests that lose their leaves during the dry months. Finally, the southwest is the driest and some parts can be considered desert.
Madagascar is considered a "biodiversity hot spot." Over 90% of the wildlife is found nowhere else including lemurs, fossa (relative of the mongoose), and different types of birds. There are almost 15,000 different plants species, are 80% are found nowhere else on earth.
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| Fossa |
There are 18 different ethnic groups. Madagascar was originally settled by people from Africa and Asia, and the culture now is a unique blend of the two. Much of the Malagasy population are predominantly animist. Many aspects of behavior is determined by cultural taboos, including treatment of the dead. About 50% of the population is Christian, and 2% are Muslim.
Medical centers and hospitals are concentrated in urban areas, and medical care is very expensive relative to the average income. In 2010, Madagascar averaged 3 hospital beds per 10,000 people. The infection rate of AIDS is low compared to other African countries with about 0.9% of the adult population. Malaria is the main health concern, and was responsible for over 15% of hospital admissions in children under 5 years in 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What will you be doing?
I will be a Community Health Advisor helping to train health educators in my area. Together, we will work on implementing a communication system to improve health workers' ability to communicate health information. I will provide education and identify interventions to promote safe pregnancies, better nutrition, prevention of malaria and other illnesses, as well as the importance of water, hygiene, and sanitation.
What do you do for training?
I will have about 10 weeks of pre-service training February-April before a swearing-in ceremony. The training has five major components: technical, cross-cultural, language, health, and safety. I will also have a one week site visit to give me an general overview of what my site will be like.
Do you know where you'll be living in the country?
No, but I will find out several weeks into training based off questionnaires, preferences, and where my skills will be best utilized. I don't get to choose where I live.
What will your living situation be like?
I will most likely be living in a rural village without consistent electricity or running water. My housing will be similar to my community. I might have a room on the health center grounds or a small house with one or two rooms. My house might be a mud hut with a thatched roof or a modern cement house.
Will you have electricity or running water?
It depends where in the country I am. The cities have electricity available, and the rural towns not so much. If electricity is available it will be probably be inconsistent. In addition, Internet access will most likely be limited.
Will you have a cell phone?
Most volunteers buy their own cell phone but the service is spotty. I will probably buy a cell phone in country in which I can call and text the U.S. See Contact for more details.
What will you eat?
Lots of rice! Rice is eaten with vegetables, beans, or meat. There are many fruits and vegetables that grow in Madagascar and are sold fresh and in their correct season.
Do you have vacation?
Volunteers get two vacation days per month that can accrue totaling 48 days over two years. I cannot take vacation within my first 6 months or my last three months.
Will you live with a host family?
I will live with a host family during the first 7 weeks in training.
Can you receive mail?
Yes, yes, yes! I want to keep in touch with family and friends while I'm gone, and a big thank you in advance to anyone who wants to send mail my way! See Contact for more details.
Sources: http://www.peacecorps.gov/learn/wherepc/africa/madagascar/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/countryfacts/madagascar_map.html
http://www.safarisamblog.com/about-the-ring-tailed-lemur/
http://offtrackplanet.com/magazine/articles/volunteer-madagascar-saving-lemurs-vs-the-fossa-whose-side-are-you-on
"Madagascar Welcome Book" issued by the Peace Corps
"Madagascar Volunteer Assignment Description" issued by the Peace Corps
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