Katherine M.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

Visiting the Smithsonian as a kid sparked my deep interest in history and genuine curiosity about exploring different cultures. I love reading about how people lived, how traditions formed, and how societies have changed over time, but I wanted to experience those cultures in a more direct and personal way. I saw videos posted by Volunteers on YouTube that depicted a way to build real connections with communities and meaningfully contribute to people on a personal level. The opportunity to live in a new environment, form strong bonds with like-minded people, while developing new skills and growing on both a personal and professional level, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Additionally, one of the best ways to become fluent in a language is to immerse yourself in a place where it is spoken every day, so the fact that French is widely spoken in Benin was also a major draw for me.

2. What projects are you working on?

I currently have a GLOW club (Girls Leading Our World), which is a health and development club for girls between the ages of 10 and 14, where we have discussions regarding their overall health, both mental and physical, as well as topics pertaining to the development of personal tools for future career development.

I also host a “Curious Minds Youth Cub,” where kids get together to learn about various aspects of American culture, watch films or documentaries, play games, and express creativity.

I mentor an “Amour et Vie” (Love and Life) team, which nurtures aspiring young activists to be engaging leaders who advocate for health and well-being among their peers, within an environment that encourages questions and discourse on an even playing field.

I also lead a bi-monthly care group along with 8 leader mothers and my counterpart to discuss critical health topics affecting the community. After these meetings, the leaders each meet with 10 beneficiary mothers to share the information, gather questions or concerns, and report back, ultimately reaching a total of 88 families. I aim to spread crucial health information more effectively in home-based environments, increasing women’s access to vital knowledge while staying informed about current community health issues.

Additionally, I host an English club for 50 students at a local school throughout the year.

Finally, I am the creative director of the Peer Support Network Newsletter, which supports Volunteer well-being through monthly digital newsletters that offer resource referrals and culturally enriching content. We also provide in-person and virtual support to help Volunteers navigate challenges and build community.

To further enhance the Volunteer experience, I organized a project to improve the communal lounge space in the medical ward, to make it more inclusive. This initiative now serves as a meaningful archive for both current and future Volunteers, as well as staff.

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

I enjoy walking around the neighborhood with my boîtes des images, which are a collection of large, health-related pictures used to teach about health topics. This gives locals an opportunity to come and ask questions informally and helps them learn about me and my service.

Making improvements to my living space has allowed me to become friendly with local drivers, carpenters, electricians, and masons who’ve done projects for my home, and owning pets has kept me in contact with local veterinarians and neighbor mamas who take care of them while I am away. I also spend a lot of time with my neighbor's kids, playing games or doing chores together, and we chat a lot about life back home and the differences I see living in Benin.

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

I showed the Pixar film “Brave” to my girls’ club, and we had some great discussions afterwards. The film, with its strong, independent female protagonist, really resonated with the girls, sparking conversations about courage, self-discovery, and challenging traditional gender roles. I went on to show them other films with similar messaging, and many of the girls returned to watch the same films again, later sharing with their families what they learned. It’s small moments like these that help me to feel like I’m making a difference. I encourage them to see themselves as capable, curious, and strong individuals, while also showing that there is time for both work and play.

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

The large size of the community, while sometimes challenging, also brings some real benefits.

I live in the Zou region of Southern Benin, in a community of roughly 13,000 people. Many students are learning, growing, and thinking in new ways. Young people tend to be very flexible and are quicker to adapt to the rapid changes taking place on a global scale. I think they’re the ones who can best help move the community forward, finding ways to blend traditions with technological advancements. With a little encouragement and support, they can make a big difference in shaping a better future for themselves.

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

Living in a community where many women are encouraged to conform and not express themselves has been eye-opening and has sparked a deep desire in me to encourage empowerment and self-expression. Seeing the limitations placed on women and girls here has made me more determined to help them find their voice, break free from societal expectations, and embrace their own strength. It has inspired me to be an advocate for change, supporting women to stand up, speak out, and feel proud of their unique perspectives. This experience has fueled my passion to create a space where people, especially young girls, feel safe and encouraged to be vibrant, bold, and unapologetically themselves.

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

In my free time, aside from socializing with neighbors and pets, I usually like to unwind by reading on my Kindle or getting creative with projects that involve painting or crafting. I enjoy having something fun to work on, helping me to relax yet still feel like I’m doing something meaningful or productive. I also dedicate a lot of time to designing and creating the Peer Support Network Newsletter, which keeps me connected with fellow Volunteers and encourages me to learn more about Beninese culture.

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

As my time in Benin comes to a close, I want to focus more on deepening my connections, whether they be community-based or with other Volunteers, as some relationships have fallen by the wayside during the more challenging periods of service. Lately, I’ve been prioritizing the projects that feel most meaningful and where I can have the greatest impact, like my girls’ and youth clubs. I want to spend more time with the people who have supported and inspired me throughout my service.

9. Once you finish service, what will you do differently when you return to the U.S.?

I’m confident that my time here will leave me with a deep sense of gratitude for the resources and opportunities I have back in the U.S. After living in a place where resources are often more limited, I expect to have a new appreciation for the comforts and conveniences that many take for granted in the

U.S. I’ll likely prioritize a simpler, more intentional lifestyle moving forward, as the thought of accumulating too many things feels overwhelming. I can already see myself being much more mindful of consumerism, focusing on experiences and relationships that bring value, rather than material possessions. This shift will be about finding balance and ensuring that what I bring into my life adds meaning rather than clutter. Ultimately, my time serving in Benin has provided me with a clearer perspective on what truly matters and what kind of person I would like to be moving forward.

Want to learn more about serving as a Volunteer in Benin? Connect with a recruiter today.