When my Peace Corps community began to feel like home

Sean M., Health Volunteer, The Gambia

My host father died while I was back in the United States, so I am now the oldest male in my compound. Culturally that person is the head of the compound. When I go to meetings or gatherings, I am not only Yerro Bah (my Gambian name), Peace Corps Volunteer, I also represent my host family. When I speak with the eldest son, living in Spain, and the younger son in the compound they listen to my input.

This sense of belonging gives me a different view on how things work in the community and has opened many opportunities to discuss things with the people in the village. When people ask where home is, my first response is: my village. The feeling of belonging and a sense of responsibility to help the place I call home is what I enjoy most.

Nada M., Health Volunteer, Madagascar

A highlight of my time in service so far is celebrating a football championship in my community with my neighbor. We stood by the road banging pots and pans together and cheered for the football players while they drove through my town after the game. We then met up with the individual football players and took pictures with them and their trophies. It was really fun to share the feeling of “winning” as a community.

Aaron C., Education Volunteer, Dominican Republic

One time I visited the hometown of my host parents in the province of La Vega, an agricultural province with rows and rows of rice fields. The occasion of the visit was to give condolences to a family friend whose mother passed away, but we also visited the families of both my host parents. My host grandma stuffed me with her delicious cooking. Then, my host cousins, host aunt and I went for walk in the neighborhood where they once grew up and swapped stories about their childhood. We ended the night in front of the family house, dancing and singing to the neighbor’s bachata blasting from the window. That day I felt part of the family.

Janet S., Agriculture Volunteer, Togo

About a month into service, I accompanied about 30 women to the chief’s fields to harvest corn. Initially, people weren’t sure if I actually wanted to be part of the harvest rather than just watch from the shade. Later, people didn't know if I would eat the same food as them. Later, with many basins of corn picked and as a proud member of the “clean plate club,” we walked back together smiling. In the days following, people called out, “Good work!” and told their friends, “She went to the field with us!” Since then, I’ve enjoyed other days full of happy communal energy that comes from a day’s hard work. But that was the first moment when I truly felt part of the community.

Maja S., Health Volunteer, Ecuador

… I offered to take … in [an abandoned puppy when] I was about 6 months into my service and had just started living independently in a new neighborhood. I started taking my puppy Boots to a nearby park every morning and evening, where I discovered a community of dog owners. While Boots played and made friends with my neighbor’s dogs, I made friends with my neighbors. During the three months I had Boots, I developed close friendships with my neighbors that have continued even after Boots’ adoption. I now spend holidays, weekends, and afternoons with them, and they’ve made my new neighborhood truly feel like home.