Welcome to the top spot for info on Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean! If volunteering in Eastern Caribbean interests you, you came to the right website. We’ll fill you in on Peace Corps’ past in Eastern Caribbean. We’ll also give details about Eastern Caribbean as a country. You can find out the languages spoken there. You can also check out stories from other volunteers. Here you can get info about safety and health. We’ll also provide ways to reach out to former Peace Corps peeps in Eastern Caribbean. Get set to learn more to help choose if Eastern Caribbean is a good fit for you!
Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean work on projects in Education (leave in June).
What is the History of Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean?
The Peace Corps has been active in the Eastern Caribbean for many years, starting in the early 1960s. Peace Corps combines the countries of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia into the Eastern Caribbean.
In the Eastern Caribbean, volunteers have been involved in programs such as education, health, community development, and youth empowerment. They have played an important role in helping local communities, promoting understanding between cultures, and sharing knowledge and skills. The region’s welcoming people and beautiful landscapes make it a special place for Peace Corps service. It leaves a positive impact on both volunteers and the communities they serve.
What about Eastern Caribbean as a nation?
The Eastern Caribbean includes beautiful islands like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia. These places have stunning beaches, lush forests, and unique cultures.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines have both volcanic and coral islands with clear waters. Dominica is famous for its rainforests and natural beauty. Grenada is known for its spices and lovely landscapes. St. Lucia has beautiful beaches, volcanic mountains, and a rich culture.
Tourism is a big part of their economies, bringing in visitors from all over the world. The people are friendly and make these places welcoming. Even though they face challenges, like climate change, these countries work hard to protect their identities and build a better future.
The Eastern Caribbean islands are not just for tourists; they are vibrant communities with rich histories and promising futures.
What languages do they speak in Eastern Caribbean?
In the Eastern Caribbean, most people speak English for official things like school and work. But in casual conversations, you might hear different Creole languages. These Creole languages mix English with other influences like African, French, Spanish, or Indigenous languages. The exact Creole can vary from one island to another, making each place unique in its language and culture.
During their service, volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Vincentian/Grenadian dialect and French Creole, also known as Kweyol.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Eastern Caribbean?
In general, 90% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Eastern Caribbean. And 90% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 18% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to resignation and medical reasons. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Eastern Caribbean Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in the Eastern Caribbean are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in the Eastern Caribbean because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and Carriacou, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory infections, minor injuries, and STIs. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean can be found in the Eastern Caribbean Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Eastern Caribbean?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 90% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 82% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 82% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Eastern Caribbean Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Eastern Caribbean. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Eastern Caribbean, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Eastern Caribbean?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Eastern Caribbean
- Projects in Eastern Caribbean
- Stories from Eastern Caribbean
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
Conclusion:
This blog post provided insights to help determine if serving in Eastern Caribbean is right for you. You got info on Eastern Caribbean’s culture, languages, and growth. We also covered safety tips and health facts for volunteers. Plus, we explained how to connect with former Peace Corps peeps. To learn more about Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean, check their website or the resources here. We hope this post was helpful for getting details on Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean!
Map by JKRichard and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Photos from the US Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean Facebook page and PC Media Library
