RI ranks 8th of Peace Corps' top volunteer-producing states

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 12/18/18

Rhode Island ranks eighth among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita, according to the Peace Corps. There are 42 volunteers from Rhode Island currently serving worldwide, and 1,114 Rhode Islanders have served in the Peace

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RI ranks 8th of Peace Corps' top volunteer-producing states

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Rhode Island ranks eighth among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita, according to the Peace Corps. There are 42 volunteers from Rhode Island currently serving worldwide, and 1,114 Rhode Islanders have served in the Peace Corps since the agency’s founding in 1961.

On a per capita basis, four Rhode Islanders out of 100,000 are Peace Corps volunteers. The District of Columbia ranks first with 14.8 per 100,000 population.

Rhode Island volunteers are among the more than 235,000 Americans who have served around the world in areas such as agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth development volunteers since 1961.

“Encouraging all Americans, from every corner of our country, to become involved in international service is something that continues to be at the forefront of my mind,” Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen said in a statement. “At the Peace Corps, we recognize the leaders who cultivate a culture of service in their states. Communities across America are embracing the domestic dividend of returned Peace Corps volunteers and, today, we celebrate these global citizens who contribute so much to our country.”

East Greenwich resident Kevin Drumm promoted water, sanitation and hygiene in Peru.

“Growing up, I learned through my parents’ example that you should treat everyone around you as a friend, no matter who they are or where they come from,” says Drumm. “The Peruvian people are incredibly generous and caring. You quickly feel at home no matter where you end up in Peru. My biggest success so far in service was when I came home to find my six-year-old host brother teaching his friends how to properly wash their hands!”

Peace Corps is unique among service organizations because volunteers live and work at the community level. Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining, hands-on leadership experience that offers volunteers the opportunity to travel to the farthest corners of the world and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Applicants can apply to specific programs by visiting the Peace Corps website and connecting with a recruiter.

The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their Peace Corps experience, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 235,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and add us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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