So, what does the Peace Corps do? The answer is anything and everything! As a community development organization, our volunteers work on projects that range from teaching English to starting small businesses. No two days are alike, but here’s a snapshot of what a typical day looks like for a Peace Corps Volunteer.
6:00 AM – Alarm goes off. Time to start the day! Volunteers usually wake up early to get a head start on the day’s work.
7:30 AM – Head to breakfast. Breakfast is served buffet-style and typically includes eggs, oatmeal, toast, coffee, and fresh fruit.
8:00 AM – Morning meeting. Before heading out to their respective project sites, all volunteers gather for a morning meeting to debrief on the previous day’s events and plan for the day ahead.
9:00 AM – Project work. This is where the rubber meets the road! Volunteers spend the majority of their time working on their assigned projects. Activities vary depending on the project but can include leading English classes, working in a health clinic, or helping farmers with irrigation.
12:00 PM – Lunch break. Volunteers return home for lunch, which host families or fellow volunteers cook. Typical dishes include rice and beans, soup, or pasta.
1:00 PM – More project work! Volunteers continue working on their projects until mid-afternoon, when they take a break to relax and unwind before dinner.
7:00 PM – Dinner time. Volunteers eat dinner with their host family or fellow volunteers. Dishes vary depending on the region but typically include staple foods like rice, beans, vegetables, and meat or fish.
8:00 PM – Free time/community activities. After dinner, volunteers have some free time to relax or participate in community activities like going to the movies or playing sports with friends.
10:00 PM – Bedtime! Volunteers catch up on some much-needed sleep to wake up early and do it all over again tomorrow!
As you can see, Peace Corps Volunteers have busy days with many different activities. But at the end of the day, they know they are making a difference in the lives of people in their communities. If you’re looking for a way to make a difference in the world, consider joining the Peace Corps!
