#peacecorpsweek

Post college, I did not finish the process, the paperwork seemed overwhelming, and there was pressure to enter the work force, marry and start an American adult life. I spent my summer away teaching summer camp, only to return early and start a job. 

Years pass really fast and I have few regrets; I have a loving family and my work life exceeded anything I could ever imagine. However, in  my later 40′s I began to consider  items that I left unfinished. Like, a list of books I was suppose to  read in high-school, places I had wanted to visit, people I had long forgotten or had bitter words, organize years of photos, decorate the spare room,  take up a new sport or hobby, get to know my neighbors, master a foreign language. My list was large and not in any order. 

I could not roll back the years, and recapture those moments when I did, or did not do something. But I could tap into when I felt the most happy and why. And how best to get to my list. 

So I began to work away on my disorganized lists; and one item on my list was to walk more; by age 50 what was once  low blood pressure became high blood pressure. So on election day about 4 or 5  years ago, I walked to my local polling station. A few  energetic sign holders, stopped me, we chatted. I said something like “more people should walk, I love my morning walk” and that led to “you love nature?” and me blurting “why, yes I do!” Within a few short weeks I was volunteering  in the woods for a frog study. I counted, weighed, identified  the growth of  frog-let to frog  at  “Ice Pond”. At one time the pond was a source of block ice in cold winters, thus its name. A cement damn holds the water on one side and most times, the water is calm.  The study  lasted summer to fall for two years. A lot of frog handling;  catch and release. I contracted Lyme disease in that first summer. 

Ice Pond Southborough, Ma Photo Credit me Doe

This frog study involved some training on herpetology. Those two summers  led to the bumble bee photo ID study in open grass fields, which led to joining the newly opened CSA farm in my community. Volunteering simply made me happy.  In my youth; serving in church,  local hospital  or nursing home, it just felt good to give. To give of  my time or lend hand at tasks. I loved pushing the candy cart at the hospital to bring a sweet to patients or work with the nurses to change bedding.  

Breakneck HIll, Southborough, MA photo credit Doe

My renewed volunteer efforts had me imaging many what ifs.  Dreaming about  possibilities led to me google where I could seek out  various larger volunteer programs. And that is when Peace Corps kept popping up in my google search, again and again and again.I do have the belief that things happen for a reason and my faith reinforces this. Peace Corps was beckoning me. I recalled my unfinished attempt as a young woman. I felt energized. 

I began to research Peace Corps programs, read many stories and how its serves 141  countries.  I began to think about all the reasons I would fail; climate, diet, age, language, severe poverty, separation from family. But the positives outweighed any fear of committing my life for 27 months. I looked at where could I succeed and began to narrow my countries of choice. I asked questions; would language be taught, do my cultural values align, is there a  program that my background matches?,  and how am I supported overseas for health and well being. I was enthralled with the grass roots living coniditions within the local culture and thought that would make the greatest impact. 

I found the initial on-line application very simple, and was able to choose a preferred country and program. A very fair process.  I thought they will never pick me, this is silly, I am too old. Not much time passed and I was chosen to be interviewed. It seemed to go well. From what I recall,  the questions surrounded how I interact and deal with other people, other cultures. A good amount of time was spent on how  I develop relationships. My interview did not feel like any test I had taken. My recruiter asked for written referrals (two personal and one professional) and they would be back to me no later than a pre-determined time frame. If chosen with an  invitation by email,  I must accept an offer to serve in 3 days. This email could also be a rejection. 

The offer to serve came on a most unexpected day. And honestly like other volunteers who shared their special offer day, I cried. The 2017 US elections had completed and I happen to be in NYC where tensions were so high. I also happened to be at one of my favorite places with my favorite people to share the news; my sister and Wollman Ice Skating Rink in Central Park (on my list was to return to ice skating routinely).  I could not stop crying and shared the news with the ticket attendant “I have been invited to the Peace Corps!” tears streaming. 

I was ready, and my sister was overwhelming supportive. Now, to tell all my loved ones, which was not easy. Had they not been supportive I would not have accepted my service, its a huge sacrifice for my family, but I  wanted to give back and was heading to Republic Georgia.

It is the toughest job I have ever loved. I miss home a lot!, but this is a home. I miss my car, but I would never give up all the walking to work and markets daily.  The food is different, but more healthy. The culture is warm. Children and family needs  are the priority. The language is insanely difficult, but I am slowly mastering it. The nature, the history, the dance, the food and most importantly its  faith make Georgia a most loving place to serve. I am immersed.

My job is simple, I offer friendship, meet people,  share culture, train youth and businesses in areas of interest that will promote economics development. I live in my community, not an office and face much of the same day to day struggles of my community where I live. Electric outages, water shortage, outhouses, no car, no dryer or dish washer, nor  fast food/coffee and a language I continue to struggle speaking (I continue my lessons). But, I attend weddings, funerals and baptisms and birthday parties. And Georgians love a party. 

Peace Corps mission is to  promote world peace and friendship by fulling three goals.  1. to meet the needs of interested countries for trained men and women 2.  To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. 3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.