Caroline M.

1. What were your primary responsibilities during service?

I worked with an organization advocating for change for youth and young adults with disabilities.

In Ukraine in 2010, disabled children were not in schools. The teachers and schools were not equipped to handle disabled/specials needs people. Most schools had outhouses or other toilets that disabled children couldn’t use. My job was to show teachers and Department of Education officials that these children had a right to an education, per a 2010 UN resolution stating that everyone had a right to an education and a job.

My daughter has been a classroom teacher in a public school in San Diego for 20 years now. She shared her photos and resources on what Americans do in our schools for children with disabilities. I created many slide shows using these photos and lots of other information to show how Americans support people with special needs. I delivered these presentations to Ukrainian teachers and education officials.

2. How did Peace Corps service influence your professional path?

I retired after serving.

Before joining the Peace Corps I worked at City of Hope, a cancer center near Los Angeles, and commuted 90 miles to work. One day a traffic jam lasted 6 ½ hours and while listening to the radio heard a Peace Corps ad about senior citizens in the Peace Corps. I had lived overseas 12 years, and at that time I spoke three languages (French, Italian and some Dutch) in addition to English. I applied to Peace Corps to vent my “traffic frustration.” And then went back to my 90-mile commute. When I was accepted into the Peace Corps at the age of 62, I fully intended to return to work when I came home after 27 months of service. But because of my age, no one wanted to hire me, even though I tried. So I retired.

3. How have you helped those at home understand the value of Peace Corps service and communities abroad?

I do lots of advocacy/recruiting work for Peace Corps. For example, when the war in Ukraine broke out, many friends heard I had served in Ukraine so I was asked to speak at Rotary groups, women’s organizations, and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa classes, to name a few. Just today, I worked with the Peace Corps recruiter at a career fair and spoke about the Peace Corps. When people find out I served in Ukraine, they ask about life there and look at my photos. They want to understand why we support Ukraine. And then they ask about Ukraine and Ukrainians.

4. What Peace Corps benefits have been useful to you?

I used the service award (readjustment allowance) to travel in Europe after service! The best benefit: all the friends I have met—a huge benefit. I stay in touch with most of the Volunteers who served with me in Ukraine.

5. How have you remained involved with the Peace Corps community following service?

I am involved with the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawai’i (RPCVHI). I have been on the RPCVHI board since 2014 and have been the president of the RPCVHI group since 2016.

6. What tips do you have for Volunteers returning from their service?

Meet the local RPCV network.