Rolande Lewis

Health Volunteer in Cóte d'Ivoire

"I am now a transgendered woman, but during my service I was seen as a very effeminate male. It was hard to completely hide that I was gender variant, and the local children even called me garçon-fille, meaning "boy-girl." I was able to have a successful service in spite of my gender difference by learning the local language, adapting to the local culture, and being a caring presence at the health clinics where I worked. Eventually, I think that people were less concerned that I was "different" and accepted me because I worked hard to help them improve their community."

Close