The Peace Corps
Posted by Gary O'Rielly on Apr 04, 2017
Our special program last week was Gina Anderson's time in the Peace Corps with her husband Jason. Gina was born and raised in Spokane and went to college at the University of Montana.
The Peace Corp much like Rotary is about "Service Above Self." When you serve in the Peace Corps, your assignments usually require developing relationships. Some maybe superficial or even deeper depending on the assignment and the situation. Those serving in the Peace Corps want to make the most of their world. Its all about coming together. Gina is passionate about every person serving abroad.
There are currently, eight geographic regions served by Peace Corp. There were only six when she and Jason applied to the Peace Corps. One of the important aspects of the Peace Corps is "working yourself out of a job." Gina and Jason served in the Peace Corps from 2000-2002. They were sent to Slovakia. From the United States they flew into Vienna. Gina shared that this was after the Iron Curtain fell. There used to be a big iron fence on the Austria-Czechoslovakian border.
Eleven years after the fall, there is a big difference between western and eastern Europe.The fourth largest town in Slovakia is similar in size to Missoula, Mt. She and Jason joined the Peace Corp because of the "Service Above Self" motto. In Slovakia and other countries, it takes about one year to form relationships. In Slovakia, getting acquainted is very formal using Mr. or Mrs and dinners could go for up to five hours. Coffee could be a two hour event.
Gina's assignment was to a 3-12 grade school. Goal was 3-12 grade trade track or a college track. The outcome in most students depends on the parents status or what they do in life. Difficult for the kids in school to change careers under those conditions. Gina also became a guest lecturer at a local college. Her first effort was at the Waldorf Kindergarten school which is still the only one in Slovakia. Developing the whole person was the goal.
The University Leadership Development program was often filled with bribes in order for someone to get into the program. She completed her presentation talking about Slovakia's largest mountain, the Romania people and when she goes back after retirement is to remove her type A personality.
Another informative and wonderful program for our members. Thanks so much.