r/peacecorps • u/AmeliaPIWI • 3d ago

In Country Service Differences in Peace Corps Posts HQs

What resources/amenities does your peace corps headquarters have accessible to volunteers (Printing services, volunteer lounge, computers, places to sleep, etc)?

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u/EAA_999 3d ago

Depends on the country. Here’s my experience with PC HQs:

  1. PC Benin HQ in Cotonou served as a one-stop all for all volunteer needs. HQ here had beds for sick volunteers, showers with warm water, air conditioning, a lounge room with books, a tv, couches, where mail was picked up; literally everything!

  2. PC Benin also operated a regional HQ up north in Parakou that had fewer amenities compared to HQ in Cotonou. It was more of a workstation but a vital one because of how difficult traveling could be in Benin and the overall safety concerns in the region.

  3. PC El Salvador HQ in San Salvador is a modern building that our cohort inaugurated. Unlike HQ in Cotonou or the regional HQ in Parakou, HQ in San Salvador served more as an actual workstation. This was obviously due to the fact that El Salvador is in a more stable part of the world, unlike Benin in West Africa. Info about that inauguration can be found here

  4. One last thing I’ll point is out is that each country will have different rules, operating hours, capabilities, etc and this is due to what country the volunteers are in and other factors that are exclusive to that country. Hope this helps!

Edit: You can also find some Peace Corps HQ buildings on Google Maps as well.

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u/purbateera 3d ago

Thanks for your patience with my trip down memory lane: Back in the day (before the 2004 pull-out as the office moved when PC returned in 2012), we had 2 computers, a CD player with 3 CDs (one was Lyle Lovett’s Step inside this House), a very robust library of books, a large shed where we could store stuff, a lounge, a free box to give stuff away to other PCVs (scored a great hat amongst other things), and a canteen with cheap dal bhat and a fantastic beverage called a cold double chocolate. Iykyk.

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u/MrMoneyWhale 3d ago edited 3d ago

PC Peru (circa 2009-2013)

Main HQ is in Lima, but most volunteers were at least 4 hours away from Lima, and regional capitals (2nd cities) were PCV’s primary respite cities. For context, most volunteers were still using dumbphones (smartphones only started becoming a thing after I served), but most had laptops and were using external hard drives full of movies. Netflix and streaming wasn't really a thing.

  • ‘Volunteer Center’ was the first floor of an admin building, with PC HQ admin (non-program) staff on the 2nd floor.

  • Vol center had a library (technical and nontechnical readings) a couple desks, basic office printer, copy machine, computers w/ internet, bathroom, shower, and a couch room with a TV and movies

  • Wi-fi

  • ’Trading post’ for volunteers to leave and take gear

  • Access from 6am-~10pm, no overnight stays

Lima is nice enough that vols had plenty of options for accommodations and PC didn’t want vols sleeping in the office because of shenanigans. It was in a mostly residential/office building type neighborhood so there weren’t many stores or restaurants around in the evening. But it was located near a very, very nice mall with all things America including the only authorized Apple repair store in the country.

Most volunteers were in their regional capitals once or twice a month. Each regional capital had a designated Peace Corps hostel that was friendly with volunteers, reasonable rates, and would bill PC directly if you were there on official business. In my case, we got to know the hotel staff well to the point I’m still in contact with a few of them and visit when I went back a few years ago. The hotel would let us hang out waiting for late night buses or crash in the lobby if we got into town on a 2am bus. We probably also annoyed them at times since we‘d often pregame at the hotel when everyone is in town. It was hard not to, they had a great roof balcony. They also hosted a cabinet with books, DVDs, etc for us. Our regional coordinator worked out of their home, and while they really enjoyed working with PCVs and would hang out with us (lunch or some sort of cultural activity) it was clear you were not to show up to their house unless it was an emergency or you were invited (i.e. it wasn’t a crash house or ‘drop by if you’re in town‘ type of situation).

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u/shawn131871 2d ago edited 2d ago

it honestly depends on the country. the fsm had a warm shower (which believe me is amazing as a pcv), they had a full bed if you were sick or leaving. they had computers in the pcv lounge. for printing services, I had that through my school quite easily. we also had alot of books that you could borrow to take to site to read (a lifesaver when you have down time). it wasnt completely first world by any means but it was sufficient for what we needed. and yeah definitely can't stay overnight in the pcv lounge or in hq if you are in town. you'll meet other volunteers from other organizations that you'll quickly befriend

we had the Jesuit corps volunteer ladies. Who were amazing hosts. I loved my weekends with them. they were so kind and hospitable in the house they stayed in. we had to sleep on the floor. which honestly, in pc isnt as big of a deal. you learn to live with less and very simple. however, they were great company. we had a great set up on our little 10 square mile island.

I made it a point to go every Saturday back into town. I spent the day eating what American food was available at restaurants. I would always get banana foster waffles. which were amazing. I always got caramelized banana chocolate chip Gelato from hagen days. which was also amazing. I dont even think that flavor exists in the us. I also went shopping for whatever I needed. it was really the only day I spoiled myself and took a me day. there really isnt anywhere at my site to spend a lot of money outside of a convenient store in the next small village over. anyways, you'll have your own little stuff when you get to your country. youll find ways to take time for yourself and take care of what you need to do each day.

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u/Wearytaco 3d ago

Ya know what's funny, my HQ had a PCV lounge with computers and printers (which werent connected so didn't work) but we weren't allowed in the capital where the HQ was without prior approval. So... It was a wasted area. Only time it was used was like when you were waiting for medical lol.

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u/Practical-Radicalist 2d ago

Same here. We have a small lounge with a few computers but most of us aren’t allowed in the capital, it’s a bit silly lol.