On 1st March 1961, 50 years ago today, President John F Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps. Its stated mission was to help people in countries outside the United States meet the need for trained men and women, promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served, and help promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans. A very worthy cause which, to date, has had some 200,000 + volunteers serving in 139 different countries. There are some 195 countries in the world by most accounts and 192 member states of the United Nations. There are apparently some 8655 volunteers and trainees currently serving in the Peace Corps at present in 77 different countries. 60% are female, the average age is 28 and 93% are single. Over a third are in Africa and a quarter in Latin America.