The First Years of the Peace Corps Essay - 1180 Words

â€Å"To those people in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required,† (Kennedy 2), John F. Kennedy told an inspired crowd and an ambitious nation during his inaugural address on January 20, 1961. The origins for his plan to establish a program to assist developing countries originated about 4 months earlier during an early morning speech at the University of Michigan, where, at 2 a.m., he challenged the students to â€Å"contribute part of [there] life to this country†(Kennedy 1). His speech received a thunderous response and within weeks a petition in support of the idea had been gathered with over a thousand†¦show more content†¦Many African countries also received assistance, including Nigeria. The president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, wanted to establish a four-year American style university, but was having trouble recruiting teaching staf f. The Peace Corps made up a third of the staff at the university. In 1971, the Peace Corps left Nigeria. Nevertheless, the Peace Corps legacy was not forgotten, and in 1991, an interview with Bukar Zarma, the editor and publisher of Nigeria’s capital city newspaper, stated, â€Å"I was extremely motivated in science by my former Peace Corps science teacher who had such a passion for space† (â€Å"Nigerians Speak Warmly†¦ 1). Other Nigerians stated that the â€Å"enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers had fostered their own successes† (â€Å"Nigerians Speak Warmly†¦ 1). Clearly, the efforts of the volunteers in Nigeria helped make a positive difference in the people’s lives. Countless numbers of other countries benefited from these programs. In Morocco, volunteers were given various activities such as irrigation projects to teaching physical education. In addition, the Peace Corps built libraries, taught English, and founded Kindergartens in Iran from 1962 to 1976. The programs of the Peace Corps not only helped third world countries develop, but also provided disaster relief. In 1968, an earthquake destroyed a mosque in a Khorasan village and volunteers helped to design and build a new one. On December 26, 2004, an earthquake off the coast of Indonesia created a massive tsunamiShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at the Peace Corps678 Words   |  3 PagesAmericans more to spread democracy, peace, development, and freedom, so he started the peace corps with his brother in law. After a month of debating it among people, they decided to start it in February of 1961. The Peace Corps was established by executive order on March 1, 1961. The congress approved the Peace Corps as a federal agency within the State Department, on September 22, 1961. In 1981, the Peace Corps was made an independent agency. In the 1960s, the Peace Corps was very popular with collegeRead MoreA Peace Corps Recruiter, Flora Tano, Who Is Based In Illinois1322 Words   |  6 PagesA Peace Corps recruiter, Flora Tano, who is based in Illinois visited us on April 11. She received her internship at the UN where she was privileged to be a part of high level negotiations. She decided after to join the Peace Corps where she could focus more on the people aspect of diplomacy rather than the government aspect. Her assignment was in China and she spent two years there living in the small town. Her assignment was in education where she taught in a high school. Joining the Peace CorpsRead MoreAll You Need Is Love : The Peace Crops And The Spirit Of The 1960 S844 Words   |  4 Pagescan do better† attitude of 1960’s in her book, All You Need Is Love: The Peace Crops and the Spirit of the 1960’s. Cobbs-Hoffman tells the history of the Peace Corps. She includes details of key players who made the vision of the Peace Crops a reality, the politics behind the organization, and how the volunteers spread American ideals and views of imperialism, by helping lesser developed nations. Cobbs-Hoffman opens the first chapter of her book by introducing John F. Kennedy giving speech to theRead MoreHistory of the U.S. Peace Corps Essay630 Words   |  3 PagesThe Peace Corps, officially established on March 1st 1961, is a governmental agency devoted to world peace and progression. The Peace Corps was established by Senator John F. Kennedy when he inspired a group of students at the University of Michigan to work for their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing societies abroad. From that encouragement developed an agency of the federal government. The Peace Corps is organized into groups of volunteers and trainees that areRead MoreJohn F. 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On September 12, 1953, Jack married Jackie Bouvier. They would later have 4 kids, only 2 of which would make it to adulthood. In 1960, Kennedy decided to run forRead MoreKennedy’s New Frontier Program Essay958 Words   |  4 Pagesthe economy, promote aid to third world countries by establishing the Peace Corps, and then transport men and women overseas to assist emerging countries in acquiring their own necessities. Additional challenges for the Kennedy administration were to build-up the United States National Defense and furthered the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) programs. Kennedy designed an ambitious legislative agenda for the final years of his term. Tragically, John F. Kennedy, himself did not live to seeRead MorePersonal Narrative: My Peace Corps Experience Essay819 Words   |  4 Pageswith my life,† I would merge onto I-496 in Lansing and the answer would come into view. The Peace Corps billboard read: â€Å"Never start a sentence with I should have.† It was this same motto that carried me through a year-long Peace Corps application process and into a world of new experiences. My undergraduate years at Michigan State prepared me well for service in the Peace Corps. My studies came first, but I took advantage of the perks that a Big Ten university had to offer. I exhibited strongRead MoreThe Corps Of Discovery And The Native Americans1750 Words   |  7 PagesOn February 28, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson, with the approval of congress, created the Corps of Discovery. Their mission was to map the newly acquired western lands of the Louisianna Purchase, almost 1803—828,000 square miles of unexplored territory, as well as find a route to the Pacific Ocean. This expedition was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. During their adventure, the group encountered many hostile Native American groups, and if not for Sacagawea, these tribes would have surelyRead MoreAnalysis Of John F. Kennedy892 Words   |  4 Pageshis memorable actions during his navy career, his ability to ease tensions with his words preventing a nuclear war, and helping establ ish the Peace Corps. Originally rejected when he tried to join the armed forces, due to problems with his back, he was able to join the navy only three months before the attacks on Pearl Harbor. After a mere two years in the Navy, he was commanding his own PT boat as a lieutenant (Scribner). On the day of August 2, 1943, Kennedy’s boat was attacked and split