Utah Reflections on the Peace Corps

“The (Peace Corps) experience was inspiring and humbling-a long lasting impact on my appreciation for life. Living as an Afghan guest and abiding by the protocols of Ramadan, witnessing local justice, seeing birth and death in the villages that I worked, made me feel privileged to partake in the welfare of others whose culture was so different from mine.” Paul Bitter Afghanistan 1970-1972 Salt Lake City, UT 84103 “(Peace Corps) Taught me that people share many things and values in common. Family is very important, and being with honor is very important for respect and acknowledgement. School can only teach so much, but sharing stories and taking the time to understand the other person, I realized that I counted and had worth.” Shirlene D. Allred Swaziland 1977 – 1981 Terrace, UT 84405 “I was a Peace Corps evaluator in eight Latin countries from January 1963 to mid 1965. It was a life-changing experience, as Peace Corps was for nearly all of us. We were trying to determine what we should do and how we should best do it. Skeptics abounded, outside, none inside. Sarge (Sargent Shriver) was an amazing, hands-on leader. Optimism, enthusiasm, dedication, vision, and hard work abounded. Policies and programs were constantly evolving with field experience and inputs from brilliant people with strong opinions. A great institution was born in those first three years and it was a privilege and blessing to share the birth pangs.” Dee V. Jacobs United States 1963 - 1965 (Staff) Provo, Utah 84604