A half century ago, U.S. President John F. Kennedy envisioned an agency that would provide an opportunity for Americans to serve their country while promoting a mutual understanding between people of different cultures. Thus the United States Peace Corps was created in 1961. Now in 2011, 50 years later, over 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in a total of 134 countries around the world. Volunteers have been serving in Dominica for 44 years, since 1967.
As this year is the Peace Corps’ 50th Anniversary, Volunteers around the world will commemorate this event in their own unique way. There are currently 27 Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) living and working in Dominica and to celebrate this anniversary they will be hosting events around the country under the theme of “Fifty Years of Education, Engagement, and Enlightenment” from April 4th to April 9th.
Walk around the Financial Center and Roseau Library from Monday, April 4th to Friday, April 8th to see an exhibition showcasing a large timeline featuring notable projects in the Peace Corps across the Eastern Caribbean. Also be a part of history by signing your name on the giant map of Dominica, which highlights the villages where Volunteers have served.
The other events to be held during the week are as follows:
Tuesday, April 5th: PCVs will help the children at Goodwill Primary paint trash bins.
Friday, April 8th: Luncheon with invited guests, dignitaries, and keynote speaker Carl Pope, former Executive Director of Sierra Club (a U.S. based grassroots environmental organization) and a former PCV.
Saturday morning, April 9th: PCVs and youth across the country will participate in “Go Green Roseau”, a unity clean-up service event. At the Botanical Gardens, Atherton Martin, Alvin Alexander and Marcus Francis will speak on the importance of service, volunteerism, and keeping the environment clean. Then all participants will clean up the area around Roseau and the painted trash bins will be placed within the city.
Keep your eye out for these commemorating events around the country, and join in the celebration.
Contact PCV Alex Sheldon at [email protected] or at 767-295-9485 with any questions.
Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.
We will delete comments that:
See our full comment/user policy/agreement.