Peace Corps Response

12/04/2020

261 elephants: How Peace Corps unexpectedly made a dream come true

Today is Wildlife Conservation Day! Peace Corps Response Volunteers have worked alongside park rangers, community members, and other host country partners to build capacity for protecting wildlife and conserving their habitats. Read more about PCRV Betsy’s experience working as a field biologist at a wildlife reserve in Malawi. #wildlifeconservationday

Growing up on a small farm in western New York, falling in love with nature was easy.

12/01/2020

Peace Corps Response Overview and History

On this day 25 years ago, Peace Corps sent the first group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who re-enrolled to serve short-term assignments in Antigua after Hurricane Luis. These Volunteers rebuilt homes that had been destroyed and trained local youth on hurricane-resistant construction methods. Less than a year later, the agency officially announced Crisis Corps. Check out our new overview and history page to learn more about how Crisis Corps became Peace Corps Response, the short-term, high-impact program it is today!

Peace Corps Response Volunteers build capacity, transfer skills, and offer technical expertise. Their impact lasts well beyond their service.

11/10/2020

Can You Go Home for the First Time?

On that drive from the airport, taking in “home” for the first time, there were as many questions as there was a wash of familiarity. The people that looked like me. As a child of immigrants there is a comfort being surrounded by people that look like you and, even more so, when they are using your language".

Read Carlos's story below to hear how he felt at home for the first time when he arrived for his Peace Corps Response Volunteer assignment in Haiti.

As a child of immigrants let me tell you: there is a comfort in being surrounded by people that look like you and, even more so, when they are using your language.

11/04/2020

Peace Corps

"On that drive from the airport, taking in “home” for the first time, there were as many questions as there was a wash of familiarity. The people that looked like me. As a child of immigrants there is a comfort being surrounded by people that look like you and, even more so, when they are using your language".

Read Carlos's story below to hear how he felt at home for the first time when he arrived for his Peace Corps Response Volunteer assignment in Haiti.

Haitian-American Peace Corps Volunteer Carlos Jean-Baptiste first served in Kenya, Zambia, and Ethiopia before being welcomed home to Haiti as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer - despite never having been there before.

11/03/2020

Serving as an Education Volunteer with Peace Corps Response

Do you have over 3 years of experience working as a teacher-trainer, literacy specialist, curriculum developer or other extensive education experience? Join us on tomorrow to learn how you can utilize your experience in education as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer!

Do you have over 3 years of experience working as a teacher-trainer, literacy specialist, curriculum developer or other extensive education experience? Have you ever thought of joining Peace Corps, but not sure if it was the right fit? Join us on November 4th to learn how you can utilize your …

10/30/2020

Advancing Health Professionals

Did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 400 million people globally lack access to one or more essential health service? Our new Peace Corps Response Program, Advancing Health Professionals, was created to bridge these health care gaps in the countries that need it most.
Check out our new website to learn more about how you can utilize your skills to educate emerging health care professionals and improve health care systems. #pcrfunfactfriday

Utilize your skills to educate emerging health care professionals and improve health care systems.

10/27/2020

Application Process for Peace Corps Response

Interested in applying to Peace Corps Response, but don't know where to begin? Check out our new website page that details the application process for Peace Corps Response.

Take the next step to begin your journey with Peace Corps Response.

10/20/2020

Peace Corps Response in Latin America

Join us tomorrow at 2pm EDT to learn about the expectations, challenges, and rewards of serving with Peace Corps Response in Latin America. You can register for the event below. See you there!

Interested in serving as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer in Latin America? Join us to learn about the expectations, challenges, and rewards from a panel of Peace Corps Response Coordinators. Ask questions about Response programs and gain insight about possible service opportunities.

10/04/2020

Peace Corps Response: Health Sector Webinar

Interested in using your experience and skills in the health field as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer and want to learn more? Join us on October 7th to learn about the experience of serving as a health Volunteer with Peace Corps Response. Register for the webinar below.

This webinar will be focused on Peace Corps Response health positions available in Africa Region. We will discuss the types of positions currently available and the skills and experiences for which recruiters are looking. Recruiters will be present representing Liberia, Rwanda, Eswatini, Uganda, and...

10/02/2020

Judith Fleming - Legacy of service includes two stints in Peace Corps

Do you think that Peace Corps Response is only for younger individuals? Guess again!

In the past three years, 117 Response Volunteers were over the age of 50.

As a young woman, Judith Fleming, who grew up in Chicago, joined the Peace Corps in 1967, serving in Tonga and Western Samoa.

09/25/2020

Peace Corps Response—Advancing Health Professionals: A call to service for pharmacists

Did you know September 25th is World Pharmacists Day?

Dallas Smith, a Peace Corps Malawi Response Volunteer, shares his experience as a clinical pharmacy and pharmacognosy lecturer with the Advancing Health Professionals Program (AHP) in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. #pcrfunfactfriday

“As the AHP program continues to expand, pharmacists will be a key component and their expertise will be highly sought after,” says Dallas. “This is a call to service for interested pharmacists to contribute to global health through the empowerment of pharmacy colleagues, capacity building of the next generation of health care leaders, and the improvement of health care systems with the Peace Corps.”

The United States Peace Corps recently celebrated its 59th year of serving the international community through empowerment and capacity building. Through these years, a total of 235,000 U.S. citizens have volunteered with the Peace Corps, contributing to sustainable change in 141 countries around th...

09/18/2020

FAQs

Peace Corps is the toughest job you will ever love. As a Response Volunteer, you will receive a monthly living stipend, transportation to and from your country of service, and a readjustment allowance of $475 per month of service. Have more questions about Peace Corps Response? Read the FAQs below. #pcrfunfactfriday

FAQs Search FAQs View All Faqs Popular FAQs Will I be the only Peace Corps Volunteer in my community? Is there an age limit to serving in the Peace Corps? I'm having technical difficulties completing my application. What do I do? Do I need a college degree? Topics 50-plus About Service Applying Dona...

08/28/2020

What happened to Crisis Corps? The road to Peace Corps Response

Did you know the first official pilot of Crisis Corps was in 1995? In the aftermath of Hurricane Luis, Peace Corps sent Volunteers to rebuild homes and train local youth on hurricane-resistant construction methods in Antigua. In most recent years, Response Volunteers worked on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in the Philippines. #PCRFunFactFriday

You may know the story of then-Senator John F. Kennedy’s historic, impromptu stop at the University of Michigan that led to the creation of the Peace Corps. But do you know the story of President Clinton standing in the White House Rose Garden on the agency’s 35th anniversary, officially establi...

08/25/2020

Application Workshop: Peace Corps Response

TOMORROW: Ever thought about applying to serve as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer? We are hosting an online application workshop at 3:00PM ET on Wednesday, August 26! Attend this workshop to learn how to browse Volunteer openings, find the right position, and strengthen your application.

Make your application stand out from the rest. Attend this workshop to learn how to browse Volunteer openings, find the right position, and strengthen your application. You will have an opportunity to ask questions about service, learn how to best express your qualifications, and gain valuable tips....

08/21/2020

In 2019, Peace Corps Response launched a new program, Advancing Health Professionals to improve medical education in local institutions and build the capacity of health care systems around the world. 🧪🩺 🧬#PCRFunFactFriday

08/14/2020

Did you know that you do not need any prior Peace Corps experience to join Peace Corps Response? Join us every Friday to learn a fun fact about applying, serving and the history of Peace Corps Response. #PCRFunFactFriday

07/30/2020

Happy International Friendship Day! Work assignments are just one part of the Peace Corps Response experience. Response Volunteers form lifelong bonds with colleagues and community members. As Peace Corps Ukraine Response Volunteer Michael reflects, “these are my dear friends as well as coworkers” He recalls this day as one filled with shashlik, charades, dancing, many toasts, and swimming in the river. 🌏 #internationalfrienshipday #worldpeaceandfriendship

07/27/2020

Peace Corps Response's cover photo

07/10/2020

Peace Corps Response Information Session

Curious about Peace Corps Response? RSVP below to connect with our recruiters on July 14th!

Peace Corps Response sends experienced professionals and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to undertake short-term, high-impact service assignments in communities around the world. These Volunteer positions are highly specialized and technical, and provide targeted assistance in areas such as educatio...

07/08/2020

From Army Corps to Peace Corps and back

Have you considered taking a sabbatical to serve with Peace Corps Response?

Peace Corps Philippines Response Volunteer Patricia went from Army Corps to Peace Corps…and back. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District honed the technical expertise Patricia needed to serve as a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program Officer. Now she is using her newfound experience from Peace Corps Response to develop a post-disaster watershed assessment as part of a study for the USACE Honolulu District.

Patricia Fontanet, a water resources planner with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, decided to put her Corps of Engineers-acquired skills to work in helping the people of La Trinidad,

06/26/2020

Peace Corps Response—A Nimble, Multifaceted Side of the Peace Corps

To celebrate our 24th anniversary, we asked Peace Corps Response staff overseas to share their stories with us. Paola Cabero, the Peace Corps Response Coordinator in Peace Corps Mexico, puts it best: “One thing in life is certain, and that is change. The beauty of Peace Corps Response is its ability to adapt and adjust relatively quickly to new realities.” A lot has changed since our inception 24 years ago, but our commitment to serve has not. 🌎

What inspires your commitment to service?

The beauty of Peace Corps Response is its ability to adapt and adjust relatively quickly to new realities.

06/19/2020

Please join us in commemorating the 24th Anniversary of Peace Corps Response! Originally founded on this day in 1996 as Crisis Corps to provide assistance in disaster relief and respond to humanitarian crises, Peace Corps Response programming has expanded over the years to meet requests from our host country partners for experienced professionals with specialized skill sets. Today we celebrate the service of the 3841 Response Volunteers who’ve served to date, and thank our staff, friends, and host country partners and communities for their ongoing support! 🌍🎉🌎

04/22/2020

Mark your calendar: Tomorrow, Peace Corps is hosting a Twitter Chat to answer YOUR questions. Submit questions in advance or join us LIVE by using #AskPeaceCorps on Twitter and following @PeaceCorps to watch the conversation.

03/20/2020

Peace Corps

Peace Corps

We hear the concerns of Volunteers, friends, and family members, and are addressing them as best as possible. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, our priority is the health, safety, and security of our Volunteers.

Read more (updated daily): https://www.peacecorps.gov/coronavirus/

03/16/2020

Peace Corps

Peace Corps

Read Director Jody Olsen’s statement regarding COVID-19 and steps we’re taking to ensure the safety and security of all Peace Corps Volunteers overseas.

03/13/2020

Peace Corps Malawi

"The best advice that I can give to future and current Volunteers is that at times during your Peace Corps service, you may feel powerless against the massive challenges that people face. However, trust me, even just your presence and the small interactions you have on a day-to-day basis will make an impact on people. You may not see the results, but they will be obvious many years later. The reason I know this is because I, myself, am a product of the kindness and motivation of a Peace Corps Volunteer." - Peace Corps Malawi Response Program Manager

His first experience with Peace Corps Malawi was in 2000, when he served as the Counterpart to a Volunteer. Twenty years later, and he's now our Program Manager for Peace Corps Response. Talk about impact!

Read Robin's story on our blog!

03/12/2020

Peace Corps Malawi

Ever wondered what it’s like to serve in Peace Corps Response Malawi? Listen below from the Program Manager to learn about serving with Response in Malawi.

TRIVIA: How many Peace Corps Response Volunteers have served in Malawi in total? Drop your guess in the comments, and we'll share the correct answer tomorrow!

Are you interested in one of our many Peace Corps Response positions? Check out this video to learn more about our program from Robin, the Program Manager for Peace Corps Response in Malawi.

03/12/2020

Since 2000 Peace Corps Malawi has been one of the most active Response countries to date. Volunteers have worked in the Education, Health, and Environmental Sector. Stay tuned for more stories from Peace Corps Response Malawi.

DID YOU KNOW: Malawi boasts the highest number of Peace Corps Response Volunteers among international PC posts?

[This number includes Crisis Corps AND Peace Corps Response Volunteers in Malawi. We are second to the US when Crisis Corps was deployed to assist with Hurricane Katrina in 2004/2005].

03/08/2020

Thank you to the 223 intelligent and professional women who entered service in the past year and have helped strengthen the capacity of our local partners around the world! #internationalwomensday

03/02/2020

Peace Corps

Did you want to serve years ago, but had to focus on other life events? Have you 'retired' but still have more to give? Consider serving with the Peace Corps!

Have you ever thought, "I wish I'd served in the Peace Corps when I was younger"? Great news - there's still time! Peace Corps has no upper age limit, and we welcome applicants with a lifetime of experience. Advantages of serving in the Peace Corps as an older American:

1️⃣ Bring life and work experience to your community
2️⃣ Serve as a role model to your new colleagues
3️⃣ Prove that it's never too late to make a difference

https://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/is-peace-corps-right-for-me/50plus/

02/24/2020

Peace Corps vs. Peace Corps Response

Interested in joining Peace Corps, but not sure whether to apply for the Peace Corps Volunteer program or for Peace Corps Response? Join our webinar tomorrow as we discuss the differences between each of the programs. You can sign-up for the webinar below.

Discover the benefits of Peace Corps service from returned Volunteers. Join us to learn about the challenging, rewarding and inspirational moments from a panel of returned Peace Corps Volunteers and Peace Corps Response Volunteers. Ask questions about service and gain tips to guide you through the a...

02/20/2020

At the end of orientation, Peace Corps Response Invitees meet with their project partners to begin developing their work plans. The Response project partners in Peace Corps Guinea were so excited to begin the project planning process with their Volunteers.

02/18/2020

This past week our Peace Corps Costa Rica Response Volunteers joined an event at Peace Corps Volunteer Shayda's site where President Alvarado shared the importance of moving towards a bilingual country.

On this #PresidentsDay, we will go beyond the borders of the #usa and send thanks to the current President of #CostaRica, President Alvarado. He recently held a very inspirational event at PCV Shayda's high school of service! He highlighted the importance of bilingualism for Costa Rican society and the vital role the Ministry of Public Education (#MEP) will continue to have in achieving this visionary goal. US Ambassador, Sharon Day, was in attendance and enjoyed chatting and engaging with Shayda, our Response Volunteers in attendance- Alexa, Jason and Beverly, and the many students who were excited to greet her.