Because I can: Fulfilling a dream in Peace Corps Malawi

I graduated college in 1988, a wide-eyed, enthusiastic nurse ready to change the world. I moved back to my home state of Ohio and did two pivotal things: I applied for the Peace Corps and I met my future husband. But I didn’t feel I could follow through with both; I needed to choose. And I chose right. Two years later, I married Rich, the man of my dreams, and we went on to have five fantastic kids. I got a master’s degree in nursing, have had a full clinical career as a nurse practitioner and teacher, and have a strong marriage of 34 years and counting.

Eventually, I was on the other side of my clinical career. My kids are grown and doing well, my marriage is strong, my bills are caught up. I am not retired but I have choices, both logistically and financially, that I haven’t had before.

The pull to international service remained. After lots of soul-searching and conversation with Rich and the kids, I resigned my position and decided to apply to the Peace Corps. I was accepted as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer in Malawi for a six-month assignment.

I started my new job with the Peace Corps in September 2024, working to advance the nursing profession through the Nursing Leadership Initiative (NLI), an effort to develop and upskill nurse leaders. Now I live in a city in southern Malawi, working for a Peace Corps partner called Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA).

I learn new things and meet new people every single day.

I figured out how to ride the minibus, the value of the kwacha ($1 is about 2000 kwacha), how to cook nsima (a thick porridge made from cassava, corn, or other starchy flour), and play bao (a popular board game). I work hard on my Chichewa and people generally appreciate my efforts. I have electricity most of the time and running water half of the time. When the pipes don’t run, I am very grateful for Mavuto, who carries water from the neighborhood borehole to fill up a container in my small apartment. (I used to think that I had to strip myself of all amenities to qualify as a “real” Peace Corps Volunteer but I am giving myself grace on this.) The Peace Corps provides me with a local livable wage (about $175/month) and it’s important to me to stay within this budget. When I overspend, I go back to my college choices of beans and rice until payday. This makes me both grateful and mindful.

I will need to return to the workforce after my time with the Peace Corps is completed. I am grateful to have been given the gift of renewal and recharge and am becoming a better version of myself because of it. Early on, my husband asked what was my “why.” My answer was (and is) … because I can. Because I have many more blessings than hardships; because I have the education, the support and the means. Because there is a big world out there and I have a lot to learn. And I’m very glad I did. I have been changed for good.

See you in Spring 2025. And, by the way, I will be looking for a job!