The Live Like a Peace Corps Volunteer Challenge

This all started because two friends from our high school group left for the Peace Corps in the space of a month. My boyfriend Pete left for Nicaragua on May 10, and my favorite redhead Stephanie departed for Mongolia three weeks later, on June 2.

Last Spring, however, Stephanie stumbled upon something called 'The Live Like a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) Challenge.' Created by actual PCVs, the Challenge encourages the friends and family of volunteers to sacrifice first world amenities for one week in order to better understand the living conditions of both PCVs and locals.

Stephanie and Pete presented the Challenge to me un-seriously, joking about how I would never voluntarily sacrifice my hair-dryer (apparently something about me doesn't give off the "likes to rough it" vibe?). Well, if they were trying to pull some sort of reverse psychology, it worked. Not only did I commit to the Challenge (hey, they failed to read the fine print - I get to keep my hair dryer), but I've also rallied ten friends into giving up first world luxuries along with me, from August 1-7.

Specifically, my roommate Caroline and I will give up use of air conditioning, microwaves, refrigerators and the television. We will also occupy a reduced living space, using only our living room, kitchen and bathroom for the week. Our other participants (shout out to Sarah, Jill, Sean, Tom, Dan, Jenna, Tia, Christy and Rachel!) are mixing-and-matching the below:

• Reduced living space
• No air conditioning
• Shower every other day
• No debit/credit cards (cash only)
• No oven/only one stove burner
• No refrigerator
• No microwave
• Internet every other day
• No restaurants/bars/fast food/coffee shops
• No washing machines
• No dish washers

Now, as exciting as our lack of showers and bar-patronage are, the real point of our Challenge participation is to bring attention to the conditions that Pete and Stephanie live in, and the work that they do.

Impressed that Caroline and I will likely have to spoon on our couch sans air conditioning in the height of summer? Well, Pete has not had air conditioning since May. And further, since he failed to successfully kill the tarantula that he found in his room last week, we can all agree that Pete has been probably been big-spooned by a wounded arachnid.

Can't quite believe Sarah will give up use of all microwaves, refrigerators and ovens for a week? Stephanie frequently posts pictures of Mongolia dining - I'm still trying to decide if her host family feeds her goat brains or goat intestines.

We're getting a taste of PCV life. They're actually doing it. So, read their blogs. Check in with them via Facebook, email or snail mail. Their replies will make you truly appreciate your wonderful, indoor, flushing toilet.

• Pete: http://peaceoutusahellopeacecorps.blogspot.com/
  
• Stephanie: http://daphnejo.tumblr.com/

Finally, interested in participating in the Challenge? Check out the rules here and stay tuned for updates this week as we all dive into faux third world conditions.