JustWorks and the Peace Corps, by Jan Droegkamp

Jan Droegkamp is a participant in the JustWorks Katrina Relief Camp in Mississippi.

The three goals of the Peace Corps are to show receiving nations the face of the United States, to share technical skills, and to come back home and share your experiences with interested Americans. I feel like I am having a Peace Corps experience here in Mississippi. I am showing the face of a caring Unitarian Universalist to those around me, I am sharing my skills with those around me, and bringing what I learned about the JustWorks camp back to those around me.

I am not surprised that I have found several former Peace Corps volunteers during my week in Biloxi: Pat who served in Romania and Shayla in Bangladesh; Kate who served in Liberia in the 1980s, and me in Jamaica and Lesotho in the 1970s. Several others in the group are thinking of applying; Justin, a resident AmeriCorps volunteer here, has his Peace Corps interview next week.

There are so many amazing volunteers here who come with an open heart and a willing spirit.

Much of poor Mississippi reminds me of a developing country: lack of services, poor government response, inadequate housing and poor health care. The people are welcoming and warm. Part of our cross-cultural experience is with Kelly (aged 19) who is here from Japan. She is truly learning a face of the United States. She is very impressive!