Sarah Colton, 21, of Valparaiso, Ind., has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for the Philippines July 5 to begin training as a youth development volunteer. Colton will make a difference working with after-school programs or out-of-school youth to develop activities, support youth in income-generating efforts, and plan and facilitate non-formal education programs.
Colton is the daughter of Greg and Chiq Colton and a graduate of Wheeler High School in Valparaiso, Ind., where she was in the National Honors Society and on the student council. She then attended Hope College in Holland, Mich., where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2013.
During the first three months of her service in the Philippines, Colton will complete technical, language, health, and safety training while living with a host family to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. The training and cultural exchange prepare Colton for her two years of service, while also allowing community members to gain a better understanding of Americans. After Colton is sworn into service and assigned to a community, she will work on sustainable, community-driven development projects that make a difference for the people of the Philippines and provide Colton with leadership and cross-cultural skills she can use throughout her career.
Colton joins the 121 Indiana residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 3,121 Indiana residents have served as volunteers since the agency was created in 1961.
About Peace Corps/Philippines: More than 8,680 Peace Corps volunteers have served in the Philippines since the program was established in 1961. Currently, 223 volunteers serve in the Philippines. Volunteers work in the areas of education, youth development and coastal resource management. Volunteers are trained and work in Tagalog, the national language, and regional dialects, as appropriate.
About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.