Pictured: Lindsey and John, Peace Corps Volunteers, during our hike in Malealea, Lesotho.
I received an e-mail while I was heading to South Africa from my friend Stacie, who mentioned that she had a friend in South Africa and that I should look her up. I contacted her friend, Lindsey, and she invited me to come visit her in Lesotho. I will be honest I had to open up my guidebook to look up Lesotho. Yes, this world traveler did not where Lesotho was--- let alone that it was its own country landlocked within South Africa. It is good to be put back in your place and to know that though I have been to a number of places, I have so much more to learn.
Lindsey is in her second year of working with the Peace Corps in Lesotho. She works part of the time with the teaching college in the capital, Maseru, and throughout the year she is in a rural part of the country working with a group of teachers at their schools. When she is in her home site working with the teachers, she stays in a very simple house that does not have running water or electricity.
Lindsey and her roommate, Meg, hosted me for a long weekend when they were in Maseru. Spending the weekend with Lindsey, Meg and their friends was a great experience. I have always respected those who are willing to dedicate two years of their lives to work on service whether it is domestically or internationally. I had seriously considered the Peace Corps while I was in college but because I started my political career right after graduation, I ruled it out as a possibility. It was invigorating and inspirational to hear their stories and aspirations. Many of them were going to use this experience to shape a career in international work.
President Obama made a pledge during his campaign that he would double the size of the Peace Corps by 2011, the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps inception under President Kennedy. I was pleased to see these two points make it into the platform for the Obama/Biden campaign.
Expand the Peace Corps: Obama and Biden will double the Peace Corps to 16,000 by 2011. They will work with the leaders of other countries to build an international network of overseas volunteers so that Americans work side-by-side with volunteers from other countries.
Show the World the Best Face of America: Obama and Biden will set up an America's Voice Initiative to send Americans who are fluent speakers of local languages to expand our public diplomacy. They also will extend opportunities for older individuals such as teachers, engineers, and doctors to serve overseas. (Barack Obama and Joe Biden's Plan for Universal Voluntary Public Service)
I did feel that the campaign could have been even bolder about asking Americans to volunteer overseas in addition to their local service to their community. My experiences volunteering internationally has been a great experience that has widened my worldview. Also, American volunteers are great ambassadors for the USA because they show the true nature of our country and its ethic of service and giving back.
In addition to the two points made in their plan, I would recommend to the President that they promote international volunteer experiences for college students. There is an increasing number of students that are opting to take an international study abroad program. I am proud that Michigan State University is a national leader in that front. The unfortunate part is that there is very little volunteering or service learning offered in these courses. The President should challenge universities and colleges to ensure that every study abroad student have access to volunteer opportunities either in the curriculum or as an add-on to their studies. It would enrich their experiences, broaden their worldview and show America's commitment to work side by side with people of other countries to solve serious social problems.
I have asked one of the Peace Corps Volunteers to send me a few updates throughout the year and I will share them with you so you can see what their experiences are like.
