Two former Peace Corps volunteers want to connect with others who have served in the Peace Corps or who are thinking about joining.
Linda Kim of Westport and Julie Myers of Hoquiam are hosting a meeting of all interested past and future volunteers and their families on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hoquiam Timberland Library back entrance meeting room.
“The Peace Corps’ ‘third goal’ is to promote a better understanding to fellow Americans regarding the countries we served in,” said Myers, who was in the corps from 1983 to 1985 is what was then known as Western Samoa, but now is simply known as Samoa.
Peace Corps volunteers have served internationally for more than 50 years in various countries and in a variety of settings. More than 235,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps working side-by-side with host-country nationals. You must be at least 18 to serve in the Peace Corps and there is no upper age limit on volunteers.
“We met each other recently quite by happenstance,” Myers said of her effort with Kim. “We decided it would be fun to host a gathering.”
Kim, who served in South Korea from 1967 to 1969, said the Peace Corps “changed me forever.”
“At the time, South Korea was definitely a developing country and my assignment was teaching English as a second language,” Kim said. “It definitely benefited me.”
The two women said Sunday’s gathering is an informal opportunity to share stories, exchange information on lessons learned and get acquainted with like-minded individuals who are interested in the world and cross-cultural experiences. They ask attendees to bring pictures or artifacts if they wish.
“I think volunteers from any time will have a lot to share about what they experienced, what they learned and what they brought back home,” said Kim.
The women also stressed that potential Peace Corps recruits and their parents are welcome to come learn more about the experience from past volunteers.
“Anybody who might be interested in the Peace Corps or parents of those who might be interested can come and talk and see how it goes,” said Kim.
For more information, call Julie Myers at 253-431-7299 or Linda Kim at 360-591-5351.
