Peace Corps celebrates 40 years in Belize
When they first arrived on these shores, those of us not so well acquainted with the English language called them “Peace Corpse”. But the corpse proved to be very much alive and is still going strong today. Jose Sanchez reports.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Today the Peace Corps celebrated its 40th birthday throughout the world and forty years of service in Belize by hosting an open day to educate the public about their work. The corps was set up in 1961 by United States President John F. Kennedy with the purpose of sending out Americans of all ages to volunteer their skills in foreign countries. Peace Corps Country Director Costas Christ, says that their volunteers are tools that the country uses to reach its desired goals.
Costas Christ, Country Director Peace Corps, Belize
“Forty years ago Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Belize and they were math teachers or science teachers in schools located around the country, some of them were doing basic agricultural work. Today forty years later our volunteers are involved in their education sector, launching a national computer literacy campaign in Belize. So when you think of the start forty years ago, of teaching in perhaps a thatch hut classroom in some rural area of Belize doing math or science, today those volunteers are in those same rural areas, only now they are around the table in a computer lab and they’re teaching primary school students and teachers computer literacy.”
Austin Arzu, Programme Manager, Peace Corps Belize
“We have Peace Corps volunteers who are trained in counselling, work with high school counselors, assist them with skills and peer education, work with kids who have problems with schools, drugs and HIV/Aids and that sort of thing.”
The volunteers come from every walk of American life and are usually in their twenty’s, but fifty-two year old Mary Horn from Colorado is as youthful as any of her colleagues.
Mary Horn, Peace Corps Volunteer
“This has been a thirty year dream of mine to be in the Peace Corps. Back as a teenager, I wanted to do it and then I had family. My kids have known for thirty years, I wanted to do the Peace Corps, so I kinda waited till they’re ready and they said okay mom you can go.”
“I’ve been up in Orange Walk and I worked with the pre-school teachers and students up in the Orange Walk. And the experience has just been wonderful, I’ve been having a really good time. I developed a relationship with the teachers and I do get into the classroom with the kids, so that’s even the best part.
Jennifer Jacobs, Peace Corps Volunteer
“I chose Belize because I really wanted to experience Central America and I hadn’t been to this part of the world before. And I grew up in the heat, so I figured this wouldn’t be much of a climate change for me. I’ve had a really good experience so far. I enjoyed the people I work with, I live in Dangriga, Stann Creek district and I work for Belize Family Life Association.”
Jose Sanchez
“What kind of work do you do there?”
Jennifer Jacobs
“I give AIDS/HIV workshops to school, communities, not to just the Dangriga Town, but also the other villages as well.”
Costas Christ
“Personally speaking, I’d be surprised if we’re here for a fiftieth anniversary. I think Belize has achieved so much since it’s independence, and there will be time when Peace Corps will say thank you for the privilege of allowing us to be here and assist you in your effort. And certainly keep that friendship going beyond the time when we pack up our bags and go.”
But in the meantime, more bags will be unpacking as the Corps expecting to receive a record number of volunteers to work alongside the fifty-four currently in Belize. Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
Costas Christ is leaving Belize shortly to take up another assignment as senior director of Conservation International in Washington, D.C. He will be succeeded by William Barbieri.
