Peace Corps changed volunteers' lives

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111030/NEWS0201/110300328

The Peace Corps, marking its 50th anniversary this year, has always had three goals — one of which is to improve life in the countries its volunteers visit, But the other two are just as important — to help indigenous peoples better understand the United States, and to learn about all those other cultures and bring that knowledge home.

The spirit of service often sets former volunteers on a course of lifelong service, but it also opens their eyes to the rich variety and complexity of life in other countries. Over its half-century, 200,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 139 countries, with a budget this year of $400 million