US Peace Corps' 50th anniversary

- Helping people and countries meet their need for trained men and women; 

- Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of peoples served; and 

- Helping promote a better understanding of other people among Americans.

To date, more than 200,000 volunteers have served proudly in 139 countries, working in such areas as education (37 per cent), health and HIV/Aids (22 per cent), business development (14 per cent), the environment (13 per cent), agriculture (4 per cent), youth development (5 per cent) and other areas (5 per cent).

The goal of educating and engaging the public requires making a positive difference every day. In an ever-changing, new technologies world, current and former volunteers learn how to meet new challenges flexibly with innovation, creativity, determination and compassion, inspiring the next generation of volunteers while enabling others to build better lives for themselves.

More than 5,000 dedicated PCVs have served in Thailand since the programme started in 1962, with Sargent Shriver serving as the first director.

Of course, there are many other unsung heroes whose one-on-one efforts, striving to make an others-oriented enabling difference, go unrecognised in the media. Most helping hands would agree that they receive far more from the caring and sharing experience than they give. The major bonuses that these kind-hearted individuals receive include greater appreciation of tolerant multiversity; freethinking independence; flexible, cooperative-learning organisational skills; increased self-confidence; more focused, positive energy and inner satisfaction and spiritual joy.

Charles Frederickson

Bangkok