Perry Ann Porter, 1960
After I returned from the Peace Corps, I kept running into other Peace Corps folks, all within two weeks time, while trying to sell my car. I had three different couples test drive my Subaru, which displays a Peace Corps plaque around my license plate.
The first couple said, “We were in the Peace Corps in Chile.” Oh boy, did the questions and stories fly. The next lookers said
“My sister is joining the Peace Corps in a few months.” More questions were discussed.
The third couple was from the Philippines. They are the ones who purchased my car. We talked about Jeepnies (my favorite way to travel) and Hallo-hallo, a super ice cream with delicious flavors. I got to sit in the back seat and gab about Peace Corps days while the couple test drove.
Three days later, I found out a gal from Bainbridge Island was ready to receive her Peace Corps assignment. We visited quite awhile via a lengthy phone conversation.
As a guest teacher, I would tell classes about the Peace Corps, adding cultural information along with interesting stories. I always carried small books, including short stories about volunteers serving in different countries, along with a supply of bookmarks.
That same week a student at the local high school asked me to proof-read her paper about the Peace Corps, and I was able to add more facts to her paper. I also gave her a book plus a bookmark.
The following day, I met a teacher who attended a meeting and she said two other folks were talking about their Peace Corps experiences! Wow, was all I could say.
I attended a display booth during Career Day for seniors and know that quite a few students did apply and joined ‘’the toughest job you’ll ever have.”
Note that the great Northwest has the largest number of volunteers entering the Peace Corps. Every city and state, however, has Returned Peace Corps Volunteers organizations, sharing stories and raising funds for important causes.
