Saturday, August 11, 2007

PEACE CORPS ASSIGNMENT

Getting to know the Peace Corps
Excerpt from the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. sec. 2501)

The Congress of the United States declares that it is the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to promote world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and women of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under the conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower, particularly in meeting the basic needs of those living in the poorest areas of such countries, and to help promote a better understanding of the American people and a better understanding of the other peoples on the part of the American people.


The Peace Corps Mission

The Peace Corps was established in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship through the service of American Volunteers abroad. In adapting to changing needs around the world, the Peace Corps remains guided by its founding mission—to help the people of developing countries meet their basic needs and to help promote mutual understanding among Americans and people from other cultures. Since its founding more than 45 years ago, more than 182,000 Volunteers have furthered these goals through service in the Peace Corps and have served in 138 countries.

PEACE CORPS BOTSWANA ASSIGNMENT

Country: Botswana
Program: Non-Government Organization Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Project
Job Title: Home Based Care and Orphan Care
Dates of Services: 6/23/2007-6/22-2009

HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

The Peace Corps entered the Republic of Botswana in December 1966 two months after it achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Over the past 31 years, over 2,000 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Botswana. From 1966 to 1997m Peace Corps Volunteers worked in project that touched nearly all aspects of Botswana’s development. Assignments ranged from teacher trainers, to nursing tutors, to entomologists, to game wardens, and small business advisors, and secondary school volunteers.

Since independence, Botswana has experienced remarkable growth. It has gone from one of the world’s poorest nations to achieving status as a middle-income country. The nation’s infrastructure-roads, power generation, schools, health facilities and housing evolved dramatically. In light of Botswana’s economic success, Peace Corps made a decision to withdraw from the country in 1997. In 2000, the idea of a return to Botswana was brought about by the severity of the AIDS epidemic in the region and, most significantly, the potential of the epidemic to derail an achievements that have been made in Botswana.



President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

Botswana is one of the Emergency Plan’s 15 focus country, which collectively, represent 50 percent of HIV infections worldwide. Under the Emergency Plan, Botswana received more thant $24.3 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2004, more than %51.8 million in FY 2005, and more than $54.9 million in FY 2006 to support comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs.

STATISTICS AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF HIV/AIDS

Botswana has the second highest prevalence of HIV in the world with almost 39% of the adult population (15-49) infected. According to UNAIDS, the current life expectancy of less than 40 years is a significant decrease from the mid-60s in the 1990s. A social impact of AIDS deaths is the increase in the number of orphans. The number is projected to increase by 18,000 annually between 2000 and 2015. The Government of Botswana estimates that 20% of children will have been orphaned as a result of AIDS.

Factors which contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Botswana is the large role in the presences of risky sexual behaviors, gender equality, unemployment, and poverty. For example, the incidence of HIV/AIDS among women between 15-49 years was at 150,000 of 280,000 adults (54%) living with HIV/AIDS. Because of their low socio-economic status, high level of unemployment and poverty among women, the number of women living with HIV/AIDS is expected to rise. The Government of Botswana estimates by 2010 the life expectancy among women will have fallen by 50%. At current risk levels, UNAIDS projects that about 85% of 15-year old boys in the country will most likely contact HIV.

In order to address the epidemic, discussions between the governments of Botswana and the US were initiated in early 2001. By July 2002, the Director of Peace Corps, with the permission of the Botswana government, agreed to re-establish the Peace Corps program. There are four programs where volunteers are placed: Community Capacity Building, District AIDS Coordination, Non-Government Organization, and Life Skills.

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