Demetria B.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

I wanted to join the Peace Corps to return to something that I loved, which was mentoring. In high school I was a part of multiple clubs that allowed me to work with at-risk youth. Also, I wanted to pivot from my previous career path in the luxury fashion industry. It’s a very self-serving and fast-paced industry with very limited outlets to give back to the community. So, joining the Peace Corps and being able to mentor and participate in cultural exchanges made my decision to join a no-brainer.

2. What projects are you working on?

I serve in an Amazon town, and my main project is a charm school club (“escuela de encanto”) for girls aged 10 to 14 years. I focus on teaching the girls confidence, life skills and career development on a weekly basis. My secondary/legacy project is a computer literacy center that will have computers and access to job development resources.

Between those two projects, I also have started two additional personal projects. The first project is a cultural one, which is an Ecuadorian cookbook that will feature Ecuadorian cuisine with a Caribbean twist. My second project is planning my upcoming wedding, which will take place a month after my Peace Corps service ends in 2027, and will be held in Chicago.

3. What strategies have you used to integrate into your community?

In the beginning and during my first weeks at site, I relied heavily on my host family for my integration. It took some time, but not as much as I thought it would. Outside of my host family I used my method from pre-service training (PST), which was giving myself small challenges once or twice a week. I go out and try different shops, vendors, bakeries, and restaurants. By doing this I was able to use more Spanish and meet and develop relationships within the community. I have developed really good relationships with my produce vendor and baker. They both text or call me to let me know when they have avocados and the fresh bread I like.

4. What is a highlight of your time in service so far?

Highlights of my service will always be tied to the kids that I work with and the experiences we share with each other. They’re all memorable and significant. A first highlight came in my experiential learning technical workshop during pre-service training. The kids were so excited to participate in my small business ownership session that they ran up to me and hugged me tight. A second highlight is a more recent experience here at my site. The girls from the charm school club designed T-shirts for our club using AI. They taught me how to use ChatGPT and how to create prompts. It is always so inspiring to see how much youth can teach us.

5. What have you enjoyed most about the community where you are serving?

I love the safeness, peace, and quiet here in my community. Besides that, the most amazing thing about this community is the communal style of living. Everyone helps their neighbors. My host family has a dairy farm, and they provide milk to people that need milk. Also, when I arrived here, not knowing anybody, I went to a bakery (which is now the only bakery I go to), and the baker gave me samples to try. People here at my site are so welcoming, kind, and nice. Everyone feels and treats each other as family.

6. What are some of the most important things you’ve learned from your community?

I’ve learned so many things in Ecuador. From a personal standpoint, I’ve learned that you really don’t need much to sustain yourself. That fancy coffee or tea, thousands of streaming services, all the noise and amenities of urban life aren’t something I need. While I like the conveniences of city life, being out in the Amazon away from everything is so much more fulfilling.

From a career standpoint, I’ve learned that I can develop unique experiences for my students. These students are some of the brightest kids I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. They taught me how to use AI, how to celebrate my first “Day of the Dead,” and simply to remember how to have a carefree youthful spirit.

7. How do you spend time when not working on a project?

When I’m not working, I spend most of my time reading, watching crime and travel documentaries, and talking to my friends and family back home. During pre-service training, I had virtually no time to read at all, but during my first three months at site I read several books. I also watched a few of my favorite travel documentaries that covered how to survive in different parts of Ecuador if you are ever lost or stranded. In another travel documentary I learned about the different food cultures of Ecuador.

8. What are you looking forward to in your remaining time as a Volunteer?

I look forward to continuing building relationships within my community. I also want to visit my first host family from pre-service training because we’re still very close. They will be great collaborators for my cookbook because I ate many great meals while living with them. Also, I look forward to exploring the nearby areas of the Amazon. I’m also planning a mini trip with the help of my site mates to Baños for spring break.

9. What will you do differently when you return to the U.S.?

I don’t see myself doing too many things differently. However, I will not participate in overconsumption. I think that part of my brain has reset. I think I’m going to donate a lot of my belongings, and I also want to start a small garden. Having access to fresh food in America is often a luxury but it shouldn’t be.

Learn more about serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador.