The Toughest Job …
Last week I joined 4 other Returned Peace Corps Volunteers on a panel to share our experiences, along with a few words of support and encouragement, to prospective volunteers. It was during that time that I was reminded of how much of an amazing experience serving as a volunteer was. I’d like to use this week’s post as a recap.
My experience as a Peace Corps volunteer:
- was the most challenging and the most rewarding 27 months of my life
- allowed me to view America and Americans through a different lens
- helped me to gain an appreciation of cultural awareness and appreciation that no class could ever teach me
- afforded me an opportunity to SERIOUSLY nurture my love for reading; I read more books during my time there than I have ever done in twice and maybe three times that same time span here in the US
- assisted me in (re) learning the value or community
- taught me the value of communal living and modesty — in both dress and living
- enhanced my maturity by leaps and bounds … I often compare 2 years of Peace Corps to 10 years state—side
- gave me an appreciation for bucket baths under the stars, daily market visits to buy fresh fruit, veggies and fish, as well as time spans with no electricity
- exposed me to people — some of whom became lifelong friends — and places that I will never forget for the rest of my life
- … truly was the toughest job I will EVER love. I’m so thankful for my Peace Corps experience!
Obviously people travel and live abroad every day, but I stand by my affirmation that there is NO other experience quite like living in the community, learning the language, eating the food of your host family for 2+ years. To me, very few experiences compare to VOLUNTEERING to live without many of the conveniences of life here in the U.S. For me, Peace Corps was a life-changing experience that has cultivated the way I now view myself, America, The Gambia and so much of the world. How far are you willing to go???
Oscar L. Beard
Thanks for sharing, Sabrina! As I approach the age of 66 I can say that there has been no other life experience quite like the U.S. Peacer Corps tour. I was in Nigeria during the Biafran Conflict/Nigerian Civil War. Sargent Shriver flew as far as Amsterdam with us. This was a plane plan basically full of Whites, with the some 26 Black volunteers. Here we are, off to Mother Africa. It was a return to the womb. As we landed in Dakar, Senegal, there was a blackout. What a metaphor…the first stop on the black continent with a blackout as well. We all went into the terminal nonetheless. It would only be an hour layover. The Blacks returned unscathed. Mosquitoes just attacked the Whites. (http://ReadingDoctor.com)
S.T.Cherry
Hello Mr. Beard,
Thank you for reading and for your response. I cannot imagine being on the continent during the time that were, but can imagine that the experience shaped – and perhaps continues to shape – your perspective on many things.
I am not sure if I mentioned this in my post, but I was in PC during 9/11. To this day I remember very distinctly the moments, hours, days and months that followed the initial announcement by our country director. Life. Lessons.
sabpcv
Reblogged this on Southern Association of Black Peace Corps Volunteers and commented:
Thanks you so much Sabrina for sharing! We look forward to following more of your thoughts!
Jackie Holness
You were so bold to be a part of the Peace Corps! Much respect!
S.T.Cherry
Thanks Jackie! No regrets there ~ one of the best experiences of my life!!!