Tag Archives: Non-formal education

Strengthening Communities: Non-formal Education

The Peace Corps not only educated students in school classrooms, but used the wider community as a platform for spreading information to local citizens.  Although many volunteers worked in formal education, others were assigned to community development projects.   Non-formal education sought to establish community programming and workshops based on areas of need.  While some focused on a specifically on health care or sanitation, others were encouraged to assess the local community’s greatest needs before developing projects on-site.  Community outreach included youth and business development, in addition to environmental and health education.

In Colombia, Christine Hager sought to educate young girls and women about cooking and sewing.  Serving in Dagua Valle, Colombia (1968-1970), Hager organized clubs for mothers and young girls to provide support.  The community development also included experiential learning on raising chickens, planting seed beds, and gardening.

Brian Adler and Cynthia Elliott also worked with non-formal rural community education in Marshall Creek, Suriname.  Instead of formally teaching students in a classroom, Brian and Cynthia organized community libraries, after-school programs for youth, and workshops to teach English to adults in the community.

The collections documenting the variety of community development reinforce the Peace Corps’ commitment to educating communities and improving people’s lives.

Brian Adler and Cynthia Elliott in Suriname

Brian Adler and Cynthia Elliott

Country of Service: Suriname
Place of Service: Marchall Kreek
Service Type: Non-Formal Rural Community Education
Dates in Service: 2002-2004
Keywords: South America, Education

Accession Date: September 26, 2012
Access: No Restrictions
Collection Size: 0.25 linear feet

Document Types

  • Letters from volunteers who did not complete their service
  • Training – schedules, handouts
  • Leave requests
  • Swearing In Ceremony program
  • Project Information such as lesson plans, activity agreements, etc.
  • Correspondence – Peace Corps Staff
  • Reports
  • Newsletters
    • HoneyDipper – created by PCVs (unofficial, humor)
    • The Skinny– official PC newsletter –written by PC staff (third year volunteer)

Digital Surrogates

See Also:
Brian Adler’s Flickr Photo Stream