Please do not make the mistake of judging a whole organization as good or bad based on Kate Puzey’s story. That would be incredibly sad and belittle the amazing work and friendships that Peace Corps volunteers have acheived over the last 50 years.
After the news report I’ve been scanning the internet. Looking at tweets (still amused by that term), tumbles (is that a term?), and comments (the above quote is from a PC Washington worker). Also, while checking to see if there’s any response on the Peace Corps website I came across this response from the Director.
I think the quote above sums up pretty much everything I want to say. The murder and rapes presented in the news story were tragic and disheartening. Obviously there were many wrongs, both within Peace Corps Benin and Peace Corps Washington (yes those are two separate things and I really really wish the news report had made that distinction).
Kate’s death happened while I was in Ghana. I later learned that the safety measures were changed drastically within their country for volunteers. The same also happened in our country. They continue to change till this day, if you read the statement made by Director Williams.
I cannot say that the Peace Corps program is without flaws. I hated many of its bureaucratic bullshit day in and day out while I was in Ghana. There were times where I just could not handle it. But I do realize (and it’s even easier now that I’m back home), it is an EXTREMELY difficult program to manage, if you just think about it. For a headquarters in Washington, DC to manage all these volunteers spread out all over the world. It’s quite a feat.
[This however, does not excuse their neglect for volunteers’ safety]
The country offices are very disorganized (generalization- but from what I’ve heard and seen, true). Most of the time, volunteers rely on themselves and other volunteers. And that itself, is bad. Peace Corps is working on better support systems, and I think in time they will figure it out.
I hope they stop covering up tragedies like these. I hope they take some responsibility for their mistakes. Or else… well, I know a whole lot of girls who will never ever want to join Peace Corps ever again after hearing about that news report.
And to think, next week I have to go back to High Schools and talk about my experience. Yikes.
But you know… I do have faith in this program. I nearly gave up once, twice, countless times to come back home (yes, in Peace Corps you can leave whenever you want). But I stayed. I made it through my two years and I don’t regret it. Peace Corps has a very disorganized method but the end result is for the most part, good. And isn’t that why we do it? I mean, that’s why I stayed. Peace Corps IS the volunteers. Not the program. Not the bureaucratic bullshit.
And unfortunately, this story has potential to really damage Peace Corps. Just don’t let it damage the volunteers.
And to the victims and their families, my heart goes out to you. For your service, for your courage to come on television and tell your story.
And to all the volunteers currently serving and my fellow returned volunteers, thank you for your service. With the 50th Anniversary just around the corner, let’s try to focus on the positives.
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