Katie Mazanec

The Peace Corps Community

Assignment 1
UWRT 1104
9/26/15

The Area of Interest: The Peace Corps

Figured World: A large social structure that has specific rules and conventions for
appropriate behavior. A figured world consists of all the programs and volunteers in
the entire community of the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps has specific
requirements and rules.

The Peace Corps is a competitive program where Americans can volunteer in

poor areas around the world in 2 year increments. This figured world filled
with nearly 220,000 volunteers takes place all over the world. Most Peace
Corps volunteers have at least an undergraduate degree. There are many
reasons why people join the Peace Corps but most have a desire to make a
difference in the world and to help others in need. Volunteers are assigned
specific projects to work on with the community such as teaching children
how to read or teaching adults about contraceptives which would be the
practices of the community. Most volunteers have one main project and many
other small ones to work on with the community. Before the volunteer is left
in their new community they go through a three month intensive training so
that they are comfortable with the area and customs of the community.
Through the three months the volunteers will learn about their projects in a
more detail and learn how to fit into their new home. Depending on the area
where the volunteer is placed different living conditions will apply. The
volunteer is able to communicate with family and friends back home via text
message or email. As far as communicating to those in the community the
volunteer is trained to adapt to the traditions and customs of the community.
I will be observing numerous volunteer videos and documentaries about
what it is like to be a volunteer in the Peace Corps. By immersing oneself in a
completely different country with different customs and traditions it is
interesting to see how one can react. Getting accustomed to the practices of
another community is key to being a successful volunteer. One must try to
connect to the others around them even though they may wish not to do so.
Not only the volunteer but the natives have to adapt. I hope to gain
knowledge about the program through the observations and personal stories
in the documentaries that I will be analyzing.

Why I Choose to Research the Peace Corps:

My passion for helping others in need and my dream of traveling around the world
has sparked a new goal in my life. The Peace Corps is something that I am hoping to

do after college. Im excited to research this topic and learn more

about what it means and takes to be a volunteer. I will be hoping
to gain more knowledge about the program itself and the
areas where the volunteers go. Many applicants have a
specific place where they request to go, but as for me I will
be selecting anywhere. I will be happy anywhere I
get placed and it will be even more interesting to have
it as a surprise. A health volunteer or a teaching
volunteer is what I would apply for. I hope to use the
Peace Corps graduate programs, this means I will
have grad school payed for after my service.
Through this assignment I will be testing my
seriousness on joining the Peace Corps.
Relevant Background Info:
The Peace Corps is a government run organization. The average age of a Peace
Corps volunteer is 28. Many recent college graduates join the Peace Corps. Most
volunteers have at least a bachelor degree. 94% of volunteers are not married. The
minimum age to be a volunteer is 18. There are not any set guidelines or
requirements to be a volunteer. It is suggested that one has a degree that can be
useful as a volunteer. It is also recommended that one has high grades and previous
volunteer experience. It is very difficult to become a volunteer and one must go
through interviews and complete many essays to show who they really are.
Generally the Peace Corps after 2 years of service, pay you and give health care
benefits. The three main goals of the Peace Corps directly from
http://www.peacecorps.gov/ are as follows:
1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men
and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples
served.
3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of
Americans.
History:
An impromptu speech was given by President John F. Kennedy at the University of
Michigan encouraging students to volunteer two years of their life to the people of
the poor countries across the world. Over 11,000 applications were received in the
first few months of the agency officially opening. President Kennedy began this
program in hopes to help other countries and promote the American image. Since
the Peace Corps launched in 1961 there has been 139 countries served and over
210,000 volunteers.
Definitions:
Literacy Practices: Can be defined as ways of communicating with others that
involve a form of writing or speaking. Communicating with another community

where the language is not the same is extremely difficult. Through three month
prior training to the trip, the volunteers learn the native language and cultural
communication barriers so that they can easily transition to another community.
Communication is important for the connection between the volunteer and the
community.

Body Language: A volunteer is generally not capable of learning a different

language in three month unless there is significant background knowledge of
the native language such as a degree. Body language for the most part is a
universal language which can be understood. By motioning towards food or to
the bathroom it can be understood that one is hungry or needs to go to the
bathroom. This is important for both the natives and the volunteer to
understand.

Repetition of Words: Most volunteers have some sort of knowledge of the

language before their work begins but sometimes a word may not be
pronounced correctly. Through repetition and sounding out key word phrases
it can be easier to understand.

Texting/Email/Skype: In the areas where the volunteers work there is

generally no electricity to communicate with others. Volunteers usually have
to travel a distance to a city building such as a school to charge a phone or
computer so that they can communicate with family and friends back home.

Meetings: The need for the communication with other volunteers and other
professionals in the community is mandatory for projects to run smoothly.

Artifacts: Artifacts have an importance to to the community. Artifacts do not have to

be a physical object. Many smaller objects are significant to a particular programs of
the Peace Corps but only a few are significant to the entire Peace Corps community.

The Peace Corps Mission: The main purpose of the Peace Corps is to help a
country in need and promote the ideas of Americans. Through these ideas,
the volunteers and the natives begin to become emotionally attached to each
other since the Peace Corps mission has brought them together.

The attire of the natives: Through the attire of the natives we can tell about
their religion and social standing in the community. This is important for the
volunteers to understand so that their choice of dressing does not offend
them.

Respect: This emotional quality is extremely important for both the volunteer
and the natives to understand. The differences between American culture and
their culture can be dramatic but to be a successful volunteer one must
accept and embrace the differences.

Actor: An actor is a person who contributes to the community and has a specific
purpose for being a member of the community. There are many different actors in

the Peace Corps community since there are so many problems in other countries,
therefore, many different volunteers are needed.

Native Children: The children have a huge impact on the volunteers since
they are so innocent and are very interested in learning. The children are the
future of the community and the Peace Corps focuses on the potential that
they have through their projects.

Native Adults: The adults in the community have experience with community
and have a lot of knowledge about what can work best for their community.
Native adults have specific jobs for the community such as farmers, basket
weavers, and teachers. Many of the jobs of the native adults are very low
paying and high labor work. This is because most do not have a degree to
work in an office or an opportunity to do so.

Education Volunteers: Through teaching the community, the natives can learn
the importance of an education. Focusing primarily on the native children,
these volunteers are setting up the community for success in the future.

Health Volunteers: Since HIV and Aids is a big problem in many developing
and least developed countries, the health volunteers are able to educate the
natives on prevention and contraceptives. Health volunteers also assist in
rural hospitals in caring for the sick or just helping manage the health care
facility.

Agricultural Volunteers: These volunteers teach the community about

sustainable ways to achieve a high crop yield. By teaching the community
ways to efficiently grow food, their overall health will significantly improve.
These volunteers may also work with the community on their water source.
Many times a community has only one water tap which is generally
unpurified and has parasites.

Other Volunteers: Other volunteers may be needed to work the business

aspects of the community or just to help out with the community.

Peace Corps Employees: The employees of the Peace Corps are not
volunteers and are paid to manage the volunteers projects. Employees of the
Peace Corps are everywhere around the world. Many are stationed in a
particular region of a country. The Peace Corps is a government agency
therefore, many jobs are needed to run this community.

Domain: A domain is what brings the community of practice together. People can be
outside the community of practice but have the same domain or common
interest/goal. The common goal between the Peace Corps and the natives is to help
their community educationally, agriculturally, and create better living standards for
the natives.

High mortality rate: Due to the unsanitary living conditions and lack of
nourishment through food children have a hard time surviving. The education
of the children and adults is important so that they can learn how to make

their community cleaner. Children are taught to wash their hands and adults
learn about contraceptives and abstinence.

Low standard of living: Though many natives are unaware of higher standards
of living, many communities are becoming wealthier and starting to be able
to afford nicer things. Communities with houses made out of sticks are now
able to afford metal siding/roofing. However, to afford such a luxury in their
community one must be driven to do so. Through the Peace Corps, volunteers
encourage the community to become educated and learn how they can
provide more than just the bare minimum for their families.

Communities of Practice: A group of people that work together on the same goal to
ultimately achieve or improve something. To achieve something they collaborate
and learn a way to solve the goal. A community of practice is different than just a
community. They key words are of practice meaning that this group is working
together on something rather than just being grouped together. These groups are
not simply interest groups, but rather they are working on something together.

Health Clubs: Clubs have been created by volunteers to gather many natives
together to talk about the importance of abstinence and safe sex to prevent
the spread of STDs which is a problem in many uneducated communities.
Together the natives learn and work on ways so others are able to learn about
these techniques too.

Host Families: The native families that host a Peace Corps volunteer are a
part of the community but are involved in taking care of the volunteer. By
providing shelter and learning about America they in return have someone to
help their community.

Practices of Community: The actual doing of the communities of practice is

considered the practices of the community. The activities that community is
involved in together and the collaboration involved would be known as the
practices.

Education and other Social Institutions: Education plays a huge role in the
goals of the Peace Corps. By educating and working with the natives the
Peace Corps can create a better life for the community. Other social
institutions that involve Aids and HIV awareness also have an impact on the
community. When the natives agree to work with Peace Corps volunteers it
becomes easier to achieve their domain.

Cultural Rituals: The community participates in religious rituals together to

strengthen their connection. In order for the volunteer to become a part of
the community they must participate in cultural traditions. By being a part of
something together the community is able to work together easier on the
underlying problems that they are facing.

Observation 1: Peace Corps- The Volunteer Experience

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ycUh8hIYw (1.04.53)
Introduction: Through real life footage and interviews with the volunteers, a nonvolunteer can understand the experience of volunteering in Namibia. The details in
the interviews are important for learning about the practices of the community and
the domain, what brings them together. The volunteers tell us how to integrate by
showing interest in their culture and their particular community of practice.
5 minutes: The documentary opens up with vibrant scenery of waterfalls,
grasslands, the ocean, and the dessert. While the imagery of nature continues to
flash by a song sounding like it was played by the Namibian natives comes on. The
drums and quiet chants continue and they begin to show their local wildlife. All
different types of African animals are shown such as hippos in a grassy pond area,
lions basking in the sun, and exotic bugs crawling around on leaves and dirt. The
African song softly begins to quiet down and the camera is now focused on a Peace
Corps staff member for the Kavango region (in Namibia). She begins describing her
assigned community in Namibia in a cheerful foreign accent saying how there is
always someone to help. She begins to describe the domain of the community and
what brings them together.
10 minutes: Peace Corps employees describe the condition of Namibia. The low
standard of living brings the community closer together in their practices to help
each other. One employee mentioned how Namibia was always trying to become
colonized by other countries. After more than 15 years of being independent
Namibians are still struggling. The mood changes when upbeat foreign music begins
to play. The focus is now on the smiling faces of the Namibian children. The smiling
faces of the children continue as they are in school and outside playing sports. The
volunteers are shown smiling with the children as the music continues. They are
walking through town and in front of a classroom teaching. The volunteers are now
shown sharing their positive thoughts for joining the Peace Corps. Different
volunteers say: Always wanted to, begin to feel integrated with the community,
the kids are wonderful, toughest job you will ever have but well worth it in the
end as the music continues.
15 minutes: A Peace Corps employee mentions how education was the first project
in Namibia. He tells us about the main subjects the volunteers teach: English,
technology, math and science. As the employee continues to talk about the needed
subjects, pictures and videos of the classroom settings are shown. Many teachers
are interviewed about their experiences with the children. Volunteer teachers talk
about their teaching styles and how to reward the children who do well. The use of
body language and repetition is shown throughout the clips when the teachers are
teaching the children various subjects. The volunteers mention how hard it is to be
teaching for most of the day but how it is rewarding at the same time. As the
volunteers are being interviewed clips of the children in the classroom play.

20 minutes: The volunteers continue to be interviewed about their experiences as

being a Peace Corps education volunteer. The volunteer teachers mention how they
work with the native teachers to create a lesson plan by setting up meetings.
Communication is important between the volunteer teachers and the native
teachers. Through the literary practices of the community the relationship with the
volunteers become closer. Many of the volunteers being interviewed note how there
was not much basic learning supplies such as paper, pens, or books. One mentions
his work at the library and shows us how empty the shelves are. Through donations
from all over more material is becoming collected. Most of the volunteers
interviewed looked to be less than thirty and very energetic towards teaching
children in need. The volunteers play a huge role in the community for the years
that they are serving. The natives are generally very interested in the projects and
ideas that volunteers have.
25 minutes: The teacher volunteers begin talking about how they integrated into
the community. The mentioned how it is important to get involved and show interest
in their own culture and practices of the community. If one shows interest they
generally will open up and make the volunteer feel welcomed. The video continues
to interview another section of volunteers, the health volunteers. They begin to talk
about what they do in their community of interest. They try to get funding from
other organizations for HIV and Aids education and support groups. Many volunteers
have mentioned that they have created their own clubs for education about
abstinence, prevention, youth groups, and many more. The volunteers are being
interviewed in their offices which consisted of a few books on a bookshelf and very
outdated office spaces. Though the office space not be like one in America, the
volunteers could not be any happier serving those in need.

Observation 2 the Host Family Experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAi7wTqDhkM&list=PLD8D860FA54B577C2
(35.10)
Introduction: This is a documentary consisting of videos, pictures, and experiences
from the Peace Corps volunteers in Namibia. The video gives a personal insight of
what it is like to volunteer in a rural African community. The experiences of the
volunteers shown in the film show the difficulties of adapting to another community
of interest.
5 minutes: The video opens with actual footage of Namibia and the living conditions
the volunteers must deal with. Along with the imagery, music begins to play in the
background, the loud continuous beating of drums continues throughout the
introduction of the film. The volunteers are now introduced stating their name and
region in which they are serving. All comments made by the volunteers are positive
in regards to the living condition. The images of ragged shacks, bugs, and smiling
Namibian faces are shown. Through the imagery and music the viewer can get a
better idea of the community and its practices.

10 minutes: The volunteers briefly state why they wanted to join; Ive always
wanted to and for the experience. Many of the ones being interviewed requested
to live with a native family in Namibia. They begin to go into detail on who they live
with. The families they describes are large compared to our developed country
family size average. A tour of a Namibian village begins with the start of the beating
of African drums. The village is very rural and most of the structures are made up of
large sticks and a thatched roof making a quaint house. The volunteers mention
how some communities are getting more money to buy metal and cinder block to
improve their current living.
15 minutes: The volunteers go into detail about what it is like to have electricity.
Most were able to adapt because this is what they were expecting. Another issue is
finding tap water, generally there is one water tap per homestead. The volunteers
tell experiences of how sometimes the water would run out and how they would
have to walk to another community to get water. All the people interviewed were
positive about the situation and very easy going when it came to not having their
laptop or phone with them 24/7. Another tour begins with the sounds of drums. A
volunteer takes us through his homestead in another community. His house is
significantly nicer than ones shown earlier. The house has a living space with
concrete walls and furnishings. The volunteer mentions how it was unexpected that
he would get an above average home and that he was very grateful. All volunteers
interviewed had a smile on their face and were happy with their living conditions
even though some did not have electricity or running water.
20 minutes: The host families are very accepting of the volunteers. The volunteers
explain how they understand that they need space. Most of the volunteers mention
how it is important to get involved with the host family and the community. The
families are shown laughing together even though generally they dont understand
what the other is saying. The language barrier is hard a volunteer explains. Many
times the volunteers use sign language to understand each other. Some Namibians
have decent English and are able to hold a conversation with a volunteer. Music
begins to play again and a slideshow of pictures are shown. The pictures are of the
housing (thatched roof and stick walls), bathrooms (consisting of a bowl and a lever
for the shower), and family members in the community.
25 minutes: A native introduces her large family and states what each of their job is
towards the household. As the Namibian native is introducing her family laughter
and smiling is shown on her childrens faces. Trust and affection is shown through
the household states one of the volunteers. The volunteers begin to talk about what
they eat. Many meals consist of porridge and potatoes. The volunteers mention how
they help pay for the groceries for the family. This is a courteous thing to do and
there is usually a set price given by the Peace Corps for the volunteers to follow. The
music begins to play once again and the volunteers are shown making their food
over open fire which is propped up by old tires.

Observation 3- Nepal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA-lLHPMMJ8

Introduction: This video documents the experiences of Jimi a Peace Corps volunteer
in a rural area in Nepal. The documentary shows the practices of the community
such as their religion and social status jobs. Jimi shows how he has integrated in
such a diverse community compared to the United States.
5 minutes: A friend of Jimi Sir, a Peace Corps volunteer, takes a journey through
Nepal documenting their experiences. The film opens up with Claude meeting Jimi in
the city where they take a bus starting a long journey to Jimis small town in Nepal.
Jimi is very laid back when there is a landslide in the middle of the road and the bus
has to stop. Jimi mentions in a somehow upbeat tone that they will be walking by
foot for a day after their bus trip to get to his small village where he volunteers.
Jimis attitude towards living in such poor conditions show what is required to be a
successful Peace Corps volunteer.
10 minutes: The bus ride continues through more rural areas passing other buses
that are colored and painted with writings in a different language. The road
continues along the mountainside and they stop at a town to rest for the night. The
village they stayed in was on a river and surrounded by the mountains. The next
day they will be walking to their village. The calming scenes of Jimi crossing a
bridge over the water are shown as he tells Claude about the landscape and his first
trip to Melung (the town where he is volunteering in). He tells us about his stay in
Melung which was in an unfinished building without a roof.
15 minutes: Jimi shows Claude how to light a lantern which is what he has used for
his source of light since there is not electricity. Jimi explains how the life of the Nepal
natives is different than those in the states. They have different goals, they worry
about the more simplistic things like keeping their children clean and growing
enough rice for food. Jimi tells Claude about his daily routine to the water tap after
one of the native children wakes him up for tea. There is only one water tap and the
water needs to be purified before Jimi can drink it. The water tap is drilled into the
mountain and does not have a faucet head. The natives, however, are used to the
water not being purified since that is what their body is used to.
20 minutes: There are no outhouses in this town so the people defecate in the
fields, leading to poor water sanitation. Jimi explains how it was important to get
connected with a family so he can learn the language and feel more like a part of
the community. Jimi is shown playing with a Nepali child and eating dinner with the
family. The natives eat rice for every meal and sometimes a side of lentils or
vegetables. The meal is shown eaten with their hands, the rice is compact into
mushy clumps and served with a small portion foreign vegetables. Cheerfully Jimi
eats the small portion of food given to him while sitting on the floor.
25 minutes; The natives are very interested in the camera and are always smiling as
Claude video tapes Jimis experiences. Jimi and Claude are invited to witness a
sacred ritual in which the natives worship the cow by feeding it certain grains and
putting flowers around its neck. At the ritual, children are shown helping the adults
prepare the cows by smearing another substance on its back. Through the religion
Hinduism it is important to honor all animals especially the cows which are thought
to be even more sacred. The natives are shown chanting verses from the scripture

together in a different language. Jimi mentions the importance of pronunciating the

words correctly while praying to the Gods.

The Interview with local Peace Corps Recruiter

and Volunteer Alumni
Describe why you joined the Peace Corps.

FROM

Corps

LIFE LONG DESIRE, ADVENTURE, EXPAND MY MIND

AND PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCE, TRY MY BEST AT
LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE, SHAKE UP MY ADULT LIFE
HAVING SPENT OVER 30 YEARS WORKING AT HIGH
PRESSURE CORPORATE JOBS, GROW SPIRITUALLY,
CULTURALLY, LET-GO OF CONTROL ISSUES, RELEASE
HAVING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A HOUSE, FAMILY AND
ANIMALS, SERVICE HAVE ALWAYS VOLUNTEERED
Please tell me what stands out to you about the Peace
Community?

HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS THE CONNECTION THAT

IMMEDIATELY EXISTS WHEN RETURNED VOLUNTEERS
MEET. A SENSE OF DOING THE RIGHT THING, THAT LIFE
IS LARGER THAN ONESELF, A PERSPECTIVE OUTSIDE OF
ONESELF, PATIENCE, BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, ENERGETIC
ABOUT LIFE, LEARNING AND LOVE FOR HUMANKIND / THE HUMAN SPIRIT, LIFE-LONG
DESIRE TO SERVE.
Describe how your own experiences in the Peace Corps (work and/or volunteer
experience) has changed you in some way.
MORE PATIENT AND LESS AT THE AFFECT OF THINGS OUT OF MY CONTROL. I LIVE A
MUCH MORE SIMPLE LIFE WITHOUT ALL THE TRAPPINGS OF MATERIAL GOODS AND
COMFORTS OF MODERN LIVING / LIFE OF LIVING IN A WEALTHY AND PRIVILEGED
COUNTRY.
How does a volunteer immerse themselves into a different culture?
BY OBSERVING, ASKING QUESTIONS, LISTENING, COLLABORATING, NEVER PASSING
UP AN INVITATION, FINDING A COMMUNITY FRIEND/CONTACT WHO WILL HELP YOU
INTEGRATE THROUGH INTRODUCTIONS, EDUCATION, VISITS, TOUR OF YOUR SITE,
ETC AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST WAYS TO INTEGRATE IS TO LEARN THE
LANGUAGE AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.
What are the benefits of becoming a volunteer?
THE LIST IS SO SO LONG AND DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE IN
YOUR LIFE.. YOU CAN FIND WHAT WE SAY ON THE WEBSITE here. (Link shows the
benefits of being a Peace Corps Volunteer directly from the Peace Corps Website)

What are the goals of the Peace Corps?

THERE ARE THREE ON THE WEBSITE HERE (embedded is the three goals of the
Peace Corps Community).

Citations: All other information, statistics, and photos besides the video
observations were found on the Peace Corps website.

Peace Corps. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2015.

Wolf, C., & Sears, J. (2011, April 11). Peace Corps, The Volunteer Experience.
Retrieved September 10, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QycUh8hIYw

Wolf, C. (2011, April 11). Peace Corps, The Host Family Experience. Retrieved
September 12, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MAi7wTqDhkM&list=PLD8D860FA54B577C2

Roesgen, C., & Sir, J. (2012, May 13). Jimi Sir: An American Peace Corps
Volunteer in Nepal. Retrieved September 12, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA-lLHPMMJ8