Baby boomers are still asking 'What can I do for my country (and my world)?' and the answer is, probably a lot more than they could when they were 20.
Peace Corps and Bonnie Lee Black have something in common: age. Peace Corps celebrated its 51st anniversary in March this year; Bonnie was 51 when she closed her catering business and joined them as a volunteer in the thickly rain forested interior of Gabon, Central Africa. That was back in 1996. Bonnie was then on the leading edge of a surprising shift in volunteering, not only within Peace Corps, but in many volunteer sending organizations as Baby Boomers eschew outdated stereotypes about aging and throw themselves into post-retirement full-time volunteer service.
Even though overall rates of volunteering continue to fall for the Baby Boomers as they age (a normal part of the volunteer life-cycle that I've blogged about before), there is an absolute increase in older Americans volunteering abroad. A whole cottage industry has sprung up to cater to short-term senior volunteers abroad. (see here and here and here!) Higher end voluntourism operators owe a good part of their growth and success to these aging adventurer volunteers. (Of course, there are also growing domestic volunteer programs like Senior Corps aimed at connecting older volunteers to worthy causes.) In many ways this is not surprising; Baby Boomers have more money, time, and health to travel abroad then previous aging generations; they are mindful about giving back and leaving a legacy; and they are educated and armed with a range of applicable skills that many younger volunteers simply don't have. And this last point may be the most important one in terms of changing what volunteer service can look like.
Peace Corps volunteers 60 and older have more than doubled in the past three years. Just this month an 81-year old man completed a 27-month service assignment in Ukraine! Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams says that all Americans can make an impact in a developing country at any stage in life. "Older Americans bring tangible skills, professional development and life experience to their Peace Corps position in a community overseas. I encourage Americans to consider serving with the Peace Corps at any age." Peace Corps even has a special portal for volunteers over the age of 50. Deputy Communications Director Kristina Edmunson was recently interviewed by AP reporter Melissa Kossler Dutton for a article titled 'Not Your Grandma's Peace Corps? Well, It Can Be'. She told Melissa, "It's a natural fit. Older Americans who serve with Peace Corps come with a wealth of life experiences, creativity and professional development that can help make an instant impact in a community overseas."
At 57, Tamara England-Zelenski (also profiled in the Dutton article) may be better fit for Peace Corps than she was when she first considered volunteering in her early 20s. "I had considered Peace Corps when I was in my early 20s, but I felt that I had no specific skills to offer, other than speaking French. I figured they wanted specialists and I was a generality, so I never applied. And I'm still a generalist, but one with a lifetime of experience in different areas and businesses."
This is mostly good news for aid elitists who rant against sending young unskilled volunteers out into the world armed only with good intentions and a spirit of adventure. As Bonnie says, "I hope and pray other people don't let themselves be sidelined. Don't think it's over at 50-something or 60-something. The older we are, the more we have to give back."
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Polly Grice: Why Volunteering Abroad Shouldn't Cost the Earth
Not your grandma's Peace Corps? Well, it can be.
Not your grandma's Peace Corps? Well, it can be.
I run a volunteer linking service called Links for Change and know from experience that active seniors are a real asset to the international development volunteer sector. Not only do they bring a lifetime of skills and experience, they are usually (perhaps surprisingly to some) more open-minded and flexible than many of our younger volunteers. Feedback from our partner charities also points to a real appreciation of the calm, mature, and focused attitude "silver-haired" volunteers bring to their roles.
For many, volunteering may seem like an exciting but daunting opportunity but there are now a number of agencies that can assist in smoothing the path. Just ensure that you know where any fee you pay is going and what it is used for as too many companies have jumped on the volunteering bandwagon and are making a hefty profit from people's good nature. Also, try to find opportunities that are specifically tailored to your skills and experience rather than a one-size-fits-all package.
If you are an older volunteer looking for a volunteer position abroad, our website has a great volunteer resource even if you do not wish to use our service. There you will find all sorts of useful information to help you plan your volunteering adventure and how to make the most out of your time away.
The point I am making, in the US I was considered over the hill, but there is great need for us old codgers who have the experience to grow enterprises that will leave a positive legacy on the planet. I am not adverse to making a buck, indeed it is a necessity at this point, but that is not my primary motivation. I would welcome other experienced people in the endeavor. If you are interested contact me through our website, www.powerstationafrica.com.
I heartily recommend that you get off your duff, and use your experience and expertise to make it a better world.
We have come a long way and laid the foundation of what I believe can be a great company providing really needed products. At 67 it is time for me to step back some and bring in some partners to carry it to the next level. Doing business in Uganda is a challenge to say the least. But if there is any retired or semi retired management types that still have the fire in the belly to build a great company that is doing positive things for the country, the people and the environment contact me at the website. There is a great opportunity for the right person or persons who want to step out of their comfort zone and make the world a little better for future generations. We are also looking for funders to help finance our growth.