The Baba Yelka Project tells a story of Ukrainian culture little known to the public.

Though they represent less than 5% of the overall Volunteer population, Americans over the age of 50 are a valuable asset to the Peace Corps community.

I was 14 when the Peace Corps was founded in 1961, but even then I knew I wanted to become a Volunteer sometime in my life.

My favorite place in my town is our local produce bazaar. 

The whim to join the Peace Corps first came to Colleen Young when she was visiting her daughter, Katrina, who was serving in Peace Corps Malawi, in 1999. 

I cannot remember exactly where we were heading – there is a good chance it was to get some chicken wings for dinner – but I remember the conversation ended with “…so I’ve decided to apply to be a Peace Corps Response Volunteer,” and my father slowly nodded his head and kept driving. 

"America is a combination of different cultures, different people and different ideas." – Jean Park, Peace Corps Ukraine Volunteer

I remember walking out of my school in 2014 on the day of consolidation with a heavy heart not knowing when or if I would return. The answer came a few days later: all Peace Corps Volunteers in Ukraine would be evacuated.