While the recent change in Peace Corps medical standards has
disqualified me from service, at least for the foreseeable future, it also
opened my mind to other options. What has emerged from the neural net sprang
from the thought that there is a deep well of Returned Peace Corps volunteers,
who all have training and experience, technical and language skills that could
be applied right here in parts of the US.
The grand scheme is for a facility where RPCVs would come
for a service “vacation” and use their skills to serve under-served and needy
populations, with guidance from a core of permanent residents. Maybe even a
network of such centers. After consulting with my Peace Corps and non-profit
gurus, the following phased plan has emerged.
I am now in the middle of Phase 1, funded by an old Esalen friend. Phase 2 will bring RPCVs from around the country to SW Florida and provide them with housing, food and transportation while they serve the local communities with their acquired Peace Corps technical and language skills. Phase 3 will be the construction of a base facility for the program. Phase 4 would be duplicating the plan in other parts of the US.
RPCV GLOBAL
VILLAGE
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers serving in the USA – Bringing overseas
experience home
Mission: To provide a means whereby Returned Peace Corps
Volunteers can continue to use their acquired service skills in the US to
provide needed services in rural Florida, as well as provide community for
RPCVs and a demonstration platform for green and renewable technologies.
Executive Summary: Peace Corps volunteers gain unique skills
during their service, in areas such as HIV prevention, general health care,
sustainable agriculture, teaching English, water & sanitation, gender
equality and youth development, as well as fluency in a foreign language. These
skills can be put to use in the rural areas of South Florida, with its
population of under-served immigrant farm worker families and high HIV rate. It
would also provide an opportunity for continued community and service within
the Peace Corps “family” of RPCVs.
Programs: Ongoing programs in Teaching English, HIV
prevention, Hygiene, Gender equality, sustainable agriculture, water and
sanitation, etc. take place at the facility or in local schools or in
farmworker camps. Youth development camps would take place periodically. Some
programs would be in cooperation with local and regional NGOs and schools. The
target group of beneficiaries is the large immigrant farm worker population of
the Glades agricultural area, along with others in these under-served rural
areas.
Volunteers: RPCVs and other community volunteers would be
able to fly in to SW Florida and be housed and fed on site short-term ( 1 week
to 1 month) for no or low cost for a working service vacation, with a future
option to buy or rent into long-term residence, while providing service to the
facility operation and outreach service to the surrounding communities.
Recently returned volunteers might use the facility to help transition back to
civilian life. Transportation to/from the airport and local sites would be
provided. Free time would include hikes, bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee,
visits to nearby parks and enjoying the SW Florida weather and beaches.
Development Plan:
Phase 1 – Exploratory
Establish and register a Florida non-profit corporation and
bank account, set-up social media and website, poll RPCVs for interest, meet
with established aid agencies and farm workers to evaluate need and fiscal
sponsorship. Funding for travel and expenses from private sources. Estimate $1000
for 6 month exploratory.
Phase 2 – Proof of Concept
Establish service opportunities, RPCVs would be housed and
fed at no cost in shared motels or guest houses with van provided for transport
to/from airport and service locations. RPCVs would fly to Fort Myers, FL (at
their expense) for 1 or 2 weeks pre-established service programs. Programs in
HIV prevention, general hygiene, teaching English, youth development, gender
equality, environment and water/sanitation in cooperation with local aid agencies,
as determined by Phase 1 results. Funding from tax-deductible contributions via
a fiscal sponsor. 8 weeks of programs with 6 RPCVs each program @$1900 per week
= $15,200 over 6 to 12 months.
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| Rough sketch of Village structures |
Phase 3 – RPCV Global Village facility
Establish a 501c3 non-profit. A permanent living facility
would be built in Hendry County or western Palm Beach County, Florida. This
rural area has relatively low land costs, excellent weather and a large
population of immigrant farm workers. The facility would consist of tiny homes,
motel-type quads and dormitories, with training rooms, recreation/crafts,
communal food service, farm, aquaculture and garden. Renewable energy and green
technology would be featured and would serve as a hands-on educational and
training facility. Structures would be functional, safe and clean, but Spartan,
as RPCVs are able to live with minimal creature comfort. Funding: The initial land purchase and construction
would be from private and crowd sourced donations and possibly a partnership
with Habitat for Humanity. Continued operations funded by an endowment,
resident buy-ins, rents and/or grants, with a possibility of tour or product
sales revenue. Initial funding needed would be in the range of:
1.
Land 50
– 150 acres $250 -$500K (includes roads and drainage)
2.
Equipment $100K
3.
Buildings – 22,600sf @$35 $700K - $800K
4.
Vehicles – truck, van, tractor $100K
Project Coordinator: As an RPCV after 7 years of water &
sanitation and renewable energy service in Peru and Panama, Greg Plimpton is
uniquely qualified to lead this project, using his experience as a retired
lawyer, building and maintenance contractor and land developer along with his
passion for service, teaching, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and
Peace Corps volunteers.
