My quest to serve in Peace Corps started in July 2010. I wanted a career change from working as a supply chain software consultant and had the desire to help people. JFK’s mission to promote world peace and friendship by creating an agency resonated with me. After interviews, medical and legal review, and lots of waiting, I received an invitation to teach mathematics at the junior high school level in Ghana, West Africa for 27 months. After accepting, I embarked on my journey along in a group of 70 idealistic, excited trainees in June. I spent twelve weeks living with a Ghanaian family and being trained on teaching, language, culture, development work, and the education system. At the end of June, I found out I would be living in the rural village Gbedema in the Builsa district of the Upper East region. On August 30, I was sworn in as a Volunteer on the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps Ghana, the first country to receive volunteers.
The first goal of Peace Corps in order to accomplish the mission is helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Since there is a shortage of trained teachers, I am the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) teacher at the public school in my village and hope to shape my students into future leaders. I teach in English about computers to three classes ranging from 50 to 80 students in the purely theoretical sense since the school does not currently have a lab. I hope to inspire at least one student to pursue a technology related career in the future. I am also the health madam and run a health club with a fellow teacher. We discuss health current events and topics that affect the students including personal hygiene; diseases such as malaria, TB and meningitis; and STIs including HIV/AIDS. Next month I am planning to incorporate HIV/AIDS education into my ICT lessons for World AIDS Day. In the near future we will be implementing a peer education program. I am enjoying my work here so far but look forward to seeing how my role in the community evolves over time.
Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served is the second goal of Peace Corps. Part of this mission is accomplished just by simply being: living with, working alongside, and ‘being free’ with the community members. Speaking the local language goes a long way to integrate into the community so I continue to develop my Buli skills. Of course I am just an individual American representing one facet of America. Although I mostly try to use Ghanaian examples in my classroom, I sometimes give mini-lessons on various aspects of American culture. One of my favorite topics to discuss thus far is holidays. I also share dishes such as vegetable gumbo, alfredo pasta, and pancakes with students and friends to give them a taste of America. Visitors to my house enjoying looking at my photos from home, especially the one I brought from a trip to DC of ‘Obama’s house.’ Recently I showed my older students photos of Atlanta on Wikipedia on my laptop while reinforcing our lessons on the internet. It is funny how often I find it difficult to explain certain elements of my culture. But I guess part of living in a new culture allows you to view your own culture through a different lens.
The third goal of Peace Corps is to promote a better understanding of other peoples (Ghanaians in my case) on the part of Americans. I know I will fulfill this goal more when I return to the States at the end of my two years. Currently I am participating in a letter exchange program with an inner city school in Atlanta. I write them a letter each month explaining various aspects of Ghana, including money, the geography, festivals, and tourist attractions. I also keep a blog where I reflect on each week by writing stories. Also I include pictures, videos, and lots of elements of Ghanaian culture and life such as music & dance, transportation, people, and food.
I have my own personal goals for service as well but I hope staying true to the three goals of Peace Corps in accomplishing the mission will ensure a successful service. As much as I hope to teach and help people I have heard time and time again that most Volunteers learn and receive more than they are able to give. Thus far I am learning about perseverance, balance, thankfulness, boundaries, and living a simple, quiet life. Because of the various challenges I’ve been faced with during my first three months in my community the Peace Corps slogan ‘The toughest job you’ll ever love’ keeps coming to mind. In case you’re wondering, it’s true.
