October 26, 2007
Director Hears Volunteer Perspective on New Recruitment Initiative
Martha Pakan of Plymouth, Minn. is joining a growing number of Americans over the age of 50 who are foregoing a “rocking chair” retirement for one of service.
She said her Peace Corps experience has completely enriched her life, and she hasn’t even yet departed for service. Looking for an adventure to keep her busy in retirement, Pakan said she is invigorated by the prospect of living overseas in Mexico and helping the community.
“Yes, I’m retiring, but I don’t play golf. I don’t want to sit around the house all day. I have a lot of energy. Just because you’re over 60 doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot to give the world,” Pakan said.
During a stop in the Twin Cities, Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for coffee with Pakan and several other Volunteers over the age of 50 at the Coffee Gallery in Minneapolis. Tschetter listened to the group’s experiences as Volunteers who served later in life and their suggestions for improving the application process.
He believes that older Americans bring new energy and needed wisdom to public service. That is why he is working to double the number of Volunteers 50 years and older from 5 percent of the annual 7,700 total to 15 percent over the next two years.
“Increasing the number of older Volunteers will augment, strengthen and broaden the impact of Peace Corps. Older Volunteers are a great asset, bringing both their professional and life experiences to help countries around the world meet their development needs,” Tschetter said.
Volunteers over age 50 are currently serving in 66 of the 74 Peace Corps countries. Currently nearly 400 of the agency's 8,079 Volunteers are 50 and over. The oldest is 81. Countries hosting the most older Volunteers are Ukraine, South Africa, Armenia, Thailand, Romania, and the Eastern Caribbean islands. Typical assignments include education, youth outreach, community development, business development, agriculture, health, and technology.
Tschetter acknowledged there are sometimes unique challenges for older applicants, such as in the medical clearing process. “It's very thorough,” he said. “While we’d like greater efficiency, we can’t compromise quality.” Learning a language has also proven difficult for some Volunteers. Noting that the Peace Corps teaches 180 languages, He said, “We know older people can learn a language, but they learn it differently. We have to adjust our teaching style.”
The only challenge for 81-year-old Charles Harkness, who taught English at a university in the Krygyz Republic in 2005, was proving to his daughter that he could join. “She said to me, ‘You’re too old. They’re not going to want to take you.’ That was a challenge to me that I could do it. And I did. I loved the experience and would even like to return if I could,” Harkness said.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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