The Nevada Sagebrush

The United States Peace Corps and hippies once went hand in hand. For some reason, when hippies weren’t licking acid tabs and sewing their own clothes with hemp in the ‘60s and ‘70s, they were joining the Peace Corps.

The hippie movement fortunately died out and spared the rest of us of their odors and rants about some malicious and omnipotent guy called “The Man.”But the Peace Corps has remained, letting thousands of idealistic Americans live and volunteer in third-world countries on the government’s bill.

I’m going to Madagascar in June with the Peace Corps for two years to teach English and HIV/AIDS awareness to junior high and high school students. And contrary to stereotypes, I don’t wear Birkenstocks or dreadlocks. I even shower from time to time!

The Peace Corps was created in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, who told us to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”Along with improving the lives and skills of the less fortunate, the Peace Corps also aims to improve cultural understanding between Americans and their countries of service.

The idea of joining the Peace Corps has been on my mind for a few years. I’ve had a very fortunate life of growing up in a good home, having a happy childhood and the means to afford college. In other countries—like Madagascar, for instance—simple things like running water and electricity are luxuries. I feel almost obligated to dedicate two years of my life to those who don’t have the opportunities and resources that I’ve been lucky to enjoy.

So after I receive my diploma, I’m off to Madagascar. To research my future life on the African island, I’ve been watching the animated film “Madagascar.”If the animals aren’t singing and talking to me when I arrive, I’m calling it quits and flying back home.

There’s a huge world out there rife with conflict and misunderstanding. If we could take the time to learn about other cultures by studying abroad or through events like Night of All Nations, we could be more inclined to settle disputes through peaceful discussion rather than through hateful violence.

I’ll be a kind of American ambassador to the Malagasy people, and they’ll teach me about their culture. When I return to America in 2010, I can hopefully share their culture with other Americans. In this way, I hope to do my part to foster tolerance and cultural understanding in the world.

This won’t be easy. Two years in a Malagasy cottage might be worse than two years at the DMV. I probably won’t have running water or electricity and easy Internet access is out of the question. But I will likely have an outdoor pit latrine. That’s high-class living!

But the good work and adventure I’ll experience will eclipse these hardships. Empowering Malagasy children with HIV/AIDS education and English skills will give them healthier lifestyles and allow them to get higher-paying jobs and increase their standards of living. Two years away from family, friends and my American life will be eased by the fulfillment that I’m helping others.

Besides, when else will I have the chance to try to domesticate a lemur?

Follow Jordan’s Peace Corps experiences in Madagascar at his personal blog, jordancbutler.wordpress.com

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