Budget Crunch

There has been a lot of talk and rumors about the budget problems Peace Corps is currently facing. I've heard a couple explanations including that because of the weakening of the dollar abroad and the fact that the PC pays for so much in foreign currency, they now have less money to spend even with the same budget. Increases in gas prices have played a role in increased cost for food and other supplies which trickle down to less money for everyone. Also there have been delays in Congress passing the new requested budget.

A few of the things that I've heard of that are affected by the budget shortfall include the closing of the Minneapolis (which I worked with) and Denver recruitment offices. Peace Corps says they want a diverse applicant pool to represent the country's population but as they decrease their recruitment only to a few large cities, I think this diversity will decrease. Peace Corps has provided Newsweek magazines to volunteers for years but they cut that this summer stating volunteers increasingly have access to internet news. I don't know how I'm going to get my news now since I doubt I'll have regular access to the internet. I was really excited about getting Newsweek!

I've also heard of nominees that have been told there are fewer slots and they will have to wait longer for an invite or even turned away and told to reapply in the future. Several people have been told this just a month or two before they were expecting to leave. Also applicants have been delayed in receiving nominations or have been given nominations for a much later date than requested because there are fewer nominee slots and lots of people applying. I feel so fortunate to have an invite!

There was an article in yesterday's Los Angeles Times and another about a month ago in the Washington Post regarding the Peace Corps budget.

Update: Here's another article from the Huffington Post on Sept 22. Also the LA Times article was syndicated and appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 9/21.