Tom Vs. His Peace Corps

Wow, two posts in two days. You should all feel very special. After yesterdays blog, which was considerably more depressing than usual (it’s been a hard few weeks), I did some thinking. The title of this post might make one think I’m going to rail into Peace Corps, I’m not. I love Peace Corps, I love what it stands for, and I love the opportunity it has given me. I’m going to stress “opportunity” here, because it’s results and satisfaction are not handed to me. I won’t speak for all volunteers, but I will certainly speak for myself. Sometimes I forget that this IS Peace Corps. It’s not supposed to be simple, and things aren’t supposed to just fall into place. Sometimes I think, “I’m a Peace Corps Volunteer, this is entitled to me”, well not so much think actively, but passively. Maybe we do have Peace Corps to blame for that a bit. We are coddled by our government considerably, and despite our many hardships on a day to day basis, we were well trained for it, and often have our back, as opposed to us solving the problems ourselves. They spent a lot of money getting us here and making sure we had the tools to succeed. But, sometimes I don’t see it as enough, sometimes I want/think I deserve more. Why? Well, because I’m an American, or because I’m Peace Corps. I am OBSESSED with the label of “Peace Corps”, that sometimes I forget why I’m REALLY here. It’s an easy trap to fall into, but nonetheless a particularly dangerous one.

There are so many benefits to being a Volunteer that it’s not nearly as big of a sacrifice as it was 10, 15, 30, 50 years ago. There are hardships everywhere; we must make sacrifices everywhere, and every day. For example, do I go home and relax with my Nook, or a nice movie? Or do I stay after school with that one annoying child? Usually I pick the child, but out of a sense of necessity, and not duty or a feeling of love/kindness. I think I forgot the real reasons I joined Peace Corps, helping others, learning about a fascinating new place (which Georgia is, one must only check out their food, dance and music).

To all of the other Volunteers that might relate to me in some way (if you don't, good for you, you are further along than me). Remember your reasons for being here; don’t let a few hardships/the cold ruin your perception of what can be extremely rewarding. For me, it is often the inability to concentrate on anything substantial that sometimes hurts me, but maybe I with a little more sacrifice, and a little less sense of entitlement I can do more. Oh, organization would help to… maybe self-motivation. And a boatload of Aderall (just playin’).