The New Peace Corps

Peace Corps began in 1960 as a way for young men and women to make a difference around the world. Since then, more than 190,000 people have served with the organization, working in developing countries on social, environmental and agricultural projects, among other things.

As far as I can tell, there has never been a Peace Corps volunteer in Iraq. In their place, however, more than 200,000 American service men and women have volunteered to make that country - and the world - a better, safer place.

They've done it in an environment that was hostile and sometimes deadly. But their efforts are changing all that. For example, the southern Baghdad community of Hawr Rajab, where I spent a week in December, is becoming a model of hope and progress for all Iraq.

One part of that progress is the "Village of Hope",  a vocational school being taught by Air Force engineers that shows Iraqis the basics of modern home construction - teaching them a trade that is sorely needed in the region. While they're at class, they are protected by U.S. Army soldiers.

Sometimes the media gives people the idea that the "war" in Iraq is non-stop fighting and bloodshed. But it's not. While there is still fighting going on here and there, the vast majority of Iraq is now peaceful  - more so than lots of cities in the U.S. So don't let the negative press fool you - the "Peace Corps" in Iraq is going strong.

-- Chuck Holton

RELATED LINK:
Live Fire with Chuck Holton