How JFK's Dream Lives ON!

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February 20, 2011
St.Paul Pioneer Press Parade Magazine

It was 2 a.m.,When the future president finally turned up at the University of Michigan on October 14, 1960. In the middle of a cross country tour to shore up votes, Senator John F. Kennedy was so tired he joked that he'd come to Ann Arbor to go to bed. But something about the youthful crowd- 10, 000 students strong- jolted him awake, inspiring him to drop his notes and speak off the cuff.
"How many of you who are going to be doctors are willing to spend your days in Ghana?" he asked. "Technicians or eingineers, how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world?"  His speech captivated newlywed graduate students Alan and Judy Guskin. And a few nights later at a diner, they scrawled a to call to action on a napkin, urging students to heed Kennedy's words and start a volunteer movement. Within 6 months, on March 1, 1961, Kennedy signed the executive order creating the Peace Corps. Calling it the "kiddie korps," critics predicted it would attract draft dodgers. But for Kennedy and his brief presidency, the Peace Corps became the living embodiment of his plea to "ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country."
Under the leadership of founding director Sargent Shriver (who passed away last month), the Peace Corps sent 600 volunteers to 6 countries that year with the mission that continues today: to spread peace and friendship. Since then, more than 200, 000 Americans have served in 139 countries in what some call "the toughest job you'll ever love."
A picture of Roshi Matawere with a Matawi villager in 2001 during her Peace Corps stint. And Kennedy with departing volunteers in 1963. MSNBC news commentator Chris Matthews was dropped off in southern Swaziland in 1968 and told to "develop this province"  at 22 and with a year of graduate- school economics under his belt. By the end of his 2 years, he'd assisted some 200 vendors and tradesmen, organized business-ed courses, and acted in a production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.
During his stint in Mali in 1988 to 1990, Tom Moriarty dug wells. "But the real thing I accomplished was forging human bonds," says the now 44 year old federal government risk manager.
Volunteers today sign on for 27 months, which includes 3 initial months of study in language. culture, health, and technical skills. They work with residents in 1 of 6 areas: education, health, youth development, agriculture, the enviroment, or business. Stipends range from roughly 200 to 300 dollars a month. Under the Obama administration, the Peace Corps budget has risen from 340 million to 400 million (its largest ever). Driven in part by the president's emphasis on service, 13, 500 candidates vied for 4, 000 slots in 2010.


More: http://www.hsengine.com/s_peace+corps.html