50 Years of Peace Corps: A Message for Soon to Be Volunteers

#PCweek2014
I wrote this poem in summer of 2011 in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps when I was still a Peace Corps Recruiter. Although I wrote it for recruitment, I have found that it tends to resonate strongly with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and the whole Peace Corps family. I hope it speaks to YOU!
-Meleia Egger, RPCV Malawi 2007-2009, [e-mail]
Meleia Egger joined the Office of Third Goal and Returned Volunteer Services team as the RPCV Group Liaison in November. She is a Third Goal Program Specialist and coordinates Peace Corps Week annually.

[@stephenspringer8658]

I did 3 tours as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Niger 89-91, Kenya 99-01 and, The Gambia 06-07. Incredible times. Great organization to work with. Neat people to work with and for

[@V_AAM]

You are amazing PCVs, RPCVs, and those starting the journey .. no better role of service !

[@marshaspell5148]

It does start with a spark and I love volunteering

[@calliecarter5888]

I'm 15, and watching this makes me ecstatic for when I finish school and begin my application process!

[@averyrijos3079]

+Callie Carter Peace Corps is most competitive for college graduates

[@calliecarter5888]

Yreva Sojir Really? That sucks!

[@averyrijos3079]

+Callie Carter yeah I know, I'm sorry. I wanted to do if after high school too. But I'm almost done with college and it's so close! Good luck yourself!

[@averyrijos3079]

+Callie Carter yeah I know, I'm sorry. I wanted to do if after high school too. But I'm almost done with college and it's so close! Good luck yourself!

[@averyrijos3079]

+Callie Carter yeah I know, I'm sorry. I wanted to do if after high school too. But I'm almost done with college and it's so close! Good luck yourself!

[@normgold5060]

Bravo, Meleia! You are so right about this connecting to RPCVs. You touched me with your words and delivery, and reminded me once again about how my PC years (2 yrs. in Costa Rica, and 1 year as training staff) changed my life, my world... Gracias mil! Norm (RPCV, CR8 1967-69).

[@DanielStJean-mt9on]

This. Amazing. The spirit of your experience is so alive in you. You are the embodiment of inspiration, Meleia.

[@jameskostenblatt9183]

Meleia - This is a fantastic poem. You capture the experience beautifully. Thank you for sharing!

[@jorgehavin5320]

perfect poem

[@meleiacullmanrose9536]

This means so much to me. Thank you.

[@amberdavis6188]

I remember when you recited this to me in Jodi's office a couple years ago. It made me cry then. And it still does now. Thank you for putting these words to paper, Meleia! Amber Davis Collins, RPCV Honduras (the Peace Corps postage stamp pendant gal)

[@kiribeth1]

Having one of those nostalgic days where I dream about my Peace Corps days. This is wonderful!! What a journey, indeed!

[@CharlesMcKinneyIV]

Happy Belated Anniversary PC! This was a heartfelt piece that really spoke to me. I had to watch it again. The countdown has begun to my Peace Corps service in Macedonia this Sept. I'm nervous, excited, restless, hopeful, prayerful, and a medley of other emotions, but I know it will be an unparalleled experience of a lifetime. Both humbled and honored to join such a prestigious community of unique and altruistic Americans committed to servant leadership. Whew! Thank you for making this video.

[@seniorcarlos686]

Respect from Vanuatu! We thank you for being there for us, still looking forward to meet new Volunteers

[@LUGTrekGM]

Didn't join the Peace Corps, but saw all of the commercials as a kid. Ended up joining the Navy, and retiring to Thailand at age 49 this year. A wonderful poem, telling me the life I might have had. Luck.

[@wininspn]

It's never too late! There's no age limit.

[@marjworley7438]

Meleia, This is outstanding. Your passion comes through loud and clear. Glad you are doing something you enjoy. I am proud to have you as my niece!

[@poliky12321]

I love this! I’m putting in my application in a couple of weeks and I’m super nervous and incredibly excited!

[@bIuejack]

I have just been invited to serve in the Philippines! I have been waiting every day to get my invitation and come back to this video. After a long 2 year wait, it is finally happening. I now look forward to when I can come back to this video after my service. I will come back with different perspectives, beliefs and ideas. But i will look to this video to guide me once i return. Wish me luck everybody!

[@sarahswenson7609]

First time watching this Meleia, what a great summary of such a rich experience so personal and unique to us all. Thank you for sharing.

[@alfellows]

You are so incredibly talented and such a wonderful representative for the agency with RPCVs. This is a wonderful tribute.

[@107uptown]

No matter how many times I hear you do this, it will resonate in me. Always a great job WW!

[@craigvickstrom5353]

Wow. That was inspirational! Eloquent. It was also very serious. My own time in Ghana was hard work, some hunger and lot of the theatre of the absurd. I would do it all again.

[@wininspn]

This powerful message definitely speaks to me! Thank you!

[@carbo49]

Well done (both the writing and the presentation). Kwame Poku (aka Les Feldmann), RPCV Ghana & former Analyst, Policy & Planning Division, Peace Corps HQ.

[@Bintumani88]

Wow, What a wonderful poem and magical delivery, now I know what you mean to Connect on the third goal. Much appreciated. Now to share.

[@southerntiger3107]

I think that's all you need to say "(It's the toughest job you will ever love)!" ( LOL )! That was a good poem and a lot of truth to what you said. You need to experience it to understand The Peace Corps and each assignment is a different one. Good-luck to everyone who: was, is or thinking about going into the Peace Corps. I did my time from 1990 -- 1992.

[@Mal_3D]

Im 22 and Ive never gone to the peace corps, i wanted to when i was in highschool but im pretty sure i was too young and my brother had cancer so there was just a lot going on at the time. I'm looking into applying again and idk, Im on the fence about it but, this poem made it sound like the most beautiful experience one could ever have.

[@jghartman4482]

Very nice. Thank you. Certainly applies to my experience as a PCV.

[@meleiacullmanrose9536]

Thanks I wear that stamp all the time! It was very special to perform for such a Peace Corps superhero

[@Mynios]

This is awesome! You can really feel the emotion in your voice! Love it!

[@EugeneSmith88113]

Staging is July 24 in Namibia. I needed this.

[@teresitarouthe9685]

Congratulations! Very good video

[@meleiacullmanrose9536]

Thank you so much!

[@andriamariesurles2079]

Finding peace at our core is the balance of inner peace we have all been looking for. Indeed it is the change of our core universe in a third world experience that needs to be brought home as the shining star reward of Peace Corps goals. Americans today need to experience to understand just how great it is to be an American.

[@meleiacullmanrose9536]

Thank you very much!

[@meleiacullmanrose9536]

Thanks!

[@davidmalana]

awesome!

[@gioiaferrante]

This, is who I’m world! Like the women who raised me and women before! I’m a humanitarian.These teen’s don’t need a test to graduate high school!They need to give up one summer before there graduation all of them I promise you they’ll all come back different and no iPods and iPads computers and i need this i need that. I swear they will come back all changed.Case closed!

[@meleiacullmanrose9536]

Thanks Marj!

[@southerntiger3107]

My advice to you all returning Peace Corps Volunteers is go back to school or join the military. Civilian jobs aren't easy to come by at this time. Try to go Green to Gold and become an Officer. ( I was in the Peace Corps then joined the military after working in Law Enforcement because it wasn't taking me anywhere)

[@giannirocky747]

love and peace to the peace corps of the world had john f kennedy had been alive he would had said job well done to the beautiful people of the world love and peace around the globe love for one another is the answer of this world called earth

[@7saany]

So what happened to mentioning the sexual harrassment that the Peace Corps is accused of not protecting its victims?

[@meleiacullmanrose9536]

Thank you so much!