Using Peace Corps volunteers in community eye health

Initiating a community eye health programme in an unfamiliar culture and language can be a daunting task. This report focuses on an underutilised resource for community eye health: American Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps is a governmentsponsored service organisation. At present, there are 7,876 Peace Corps volunteers serving in 76 lowand middle-income countries around the world. Of those who volunteer, 94 per cent hold at least an undergraduate degree and 21 per cent are specifically trained to work in public health.1 Many volunteers serve in rural areas and all receive two months of intensive language and cultural training in their host countries; they also live at the financial level of those they serve. This represents a significant resource of educated, culturally and linguistically competent, and generally idealistic people who are willing to assist in community health projects. All one need do is ask for their assistance!