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Published on 10/26/1998 All articles from this issue

About the Peace Corps

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The Peace Corps was founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to encourage U. S. citizen participation in needy countries. Duties range from providing clean water, to teaching children, protecting the environment, helping to start new businesses and preventing the spread of AIDS. Peace Corps officials claim more than 150,000 American recruits in 132 countries over its 37-year history.

Other Peace Corps facts:

Current volunteers and trainees: 6,500

Gender: 59 percent female, 41 percent male

Marital status: 92 percent single, 8 percent married

Minorities: 14 percent

Average age: 29

1998 budget: $226 million

President Clinton's fiscal year 1999 budget request: $270 million