European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 13, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Masa Zuie the first director Sargent Shriver addresses some of the earliest peace corps volunteers in 1961.�?~reblossoming�?T peace corps by Barbara Gamarekian new York times / 4 after years of decline that followed an a enthusiastic beginning during the Kennedy administration the peace corps is again i i starting to flourish partly As a result of new demands for volunteers in Eastern Europe where they will be sent for the first time in the organizations 30-year history. Quot it s a re blossoming Quot said Paul d. Coverdell the peace corps director. The Agency is starting programs in Hungary Poland Malta Uganda Haiti Congo and Bolivia he noted and additional countries have inquired about its programs. Quot there Are some 26 nations asking us about the possibilities of sending a contingent of americans Quot Coverdell said. Quot we be never had so Many countries seeking this  that is a Welcome change for the peace corps which has had its  and Downs Over the years a from a High Point of 15,500 volunteers in the Johnson administration to a Low of 5,500 during Gerald r. Ford s presidency to the 6,100 enrolled today. If funds Are appropriated that number is Likely to Rise sharply. Under current plans two groups of 60 volunteers will head for Hungary and Poland this month to teach English to instructors at universities and secondary schools. Quot we have another team holding conversations in Czechoslovakia and Romania and Bulgaria have contacted us Quot Coverdell said. A and i plan to Stop in East  in addition to governments in Eastern Europe fledgling democracies in latin America Are also seeking More . Volunteers. In one example a peace corps team is discussing the possibility of a project on watershed management in Panama. Coverdell said the peace corps was also planning to Send an exploratory Mission to Nicaragua where he said Quot the needs Are dramatic especially in health  besides language training countries have asked for technical assistance in areas like computer science Small business development and environmental programs. The peace corps has just signed an agreement with the environmental Protection Agency to train volunteers and foreign nationals in environmental matters. The revitalization of the corps is supported by Many in Congress which counts about 20 former volunteers in its ranks. The peace corps has also drawn support from president Bush who incorporated the idea of volunteerism in his Campaign platform when he spoke of a Quot thousand Points of  in 1985, Congress called for an expanded program of 10,000 volunteers by 1992. Coverdell projects a total Force of 12,000 around the world by the end of this decade. The administration has proposed that funds be increased by 10 percent or $16 million this ye8i, bringing the 1991 budget to $181 million. The decision to Send volunteers to Europe is a striking departure for the Agency which was created in 1961 to spread american ideals and expertise primarily to developing countries. Some former volunteers have questioned whether the move into Eastern Europe Means cutting Back on programs in the third world but Coverdell maintains that it will not be at the expense of these areas. Quot the 1990 consumption of resources for Eastern Europe is just 2 percent of our  he said Quot and not peace corps Volunteer with a Mali Chicken Farmer. Our expansion this year into some 16 countries in Africa and Central and South America is larger than  the president of the overseas development Council John w. Sewell who initially questioned the Wisdom of the new ventures in Eastern Europe now supports the program. Quot the name of the game has changed Quot he said. Quot clearly their budget is going up so it will not be taking resources from poor areas a he said. Quot All of our assistance efforts need to be reassessed and realigned in terms of these new  in nearly 30 years the Agency has sent 120,000 volunteers overseas. Born in the Heady Days of John f. Kennedy a new Frontier the peace corps got off to a fast Start with More than 15,500 volunteers by 1966. Over the next decade the corps suffered substantial budget cuts and lost some of its identity As it was merged with a new Agency action. After watergate and the War in Vietnam voluntary service fell out of fashion. By 1976, the number of volunteers had dropped below 5,500. In 1982, the peace corps was re established As an Independent Agency under a directive from president Reagan. With a new director Loret Miller Ruppe it began to recruit mid career professionals. Slowly the corps began to regain bipartisan support. Today the peace corps has 6,100 volunteers in 70 countries. Many of them Are older and better trained than the Early volunteers. The first peace corps classes were often dominated by Liberal arts majors in their Early 20s who worked on Community development programs. The average age of today a peace corps volunteers is 31. About 60 percent of those accepted for service Are trained in specific skills or professions such As engineering veterinary Medicine health and nutrition computer sciences forestry special education Industrial arts and vocational training. Those who Are accepted with Bachelor s degrees but without specialized training or work experience most commonly teach English. Rural development programs Are still relevant Coverdell said but in developing countries the peace corps is focusing As Well on Urban and environmental programs and Small business ventures. Wednesday june 13, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13