Senator John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to promote peace and friendship. He called on American youth to give back to their country by living and working in developing countries.

Peace Corps’ mission has three goals:

• Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women
• Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans

Peace Corps Philippines is the organization’s second oldest program. In October 1961, 130 Volunteers started assignments as teachers of English language, mathematics, and science. Since then, more than 8,000 Volunteers have served in the Philippines.