Kyle S.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

I’ve always had an interest in helping people. I’ve worked many jobs, mostly with the goal of helping people. While I made great strides in those jobs, the Peace Corps offered an opportunity to not just help people using my knowledge and expertise but also build a bridge between the United States and the people of my community.

2. What projects are you working on?

My big project was renovating the library at my site. It was a pretty big job, but we were able to finish it. Now I am established a lending system among the pupils at my school. I am hoping to train an educator at my school to take over the role after I complete my service.

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

One of the most important ways to integrate into the community is to be present while also being comfortable. For me, this involves me having relaxed conversations with my counterpart, the other teachers, and the students. I enjoy going on walks so I take walks after work to just decompress, but to also let the community to know I am here.

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

The way pupils lined the street and cheered when I first came to site is a highlight of my service. Children always have to work hard so it’s nice to see them laughing and having a good time.

Speech Day activities performed by the pupils at the end of term 3 is another highlight. It was the catharsis after weeks of being anxious about of end-of-year testing.

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

What I enjoy most of my community is how welcoming they are. I was nervous that people would question whether I am American because I don’t look like what most foreigners think of as an American. While some people are skeptical, everyone believes me when I say I’m American. They also treat me as an honored guest, which has helped me feel more comfortable in the community.

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

Some of the most important things I’ve learned from my community is the importance of communication. As a foreigner, there are a lot of situations I don’t fully understand. There are also times when it feels that everyone else is on the same page even though nothing was stated. In these situations, it’s quite helpful to have straightforward conversations with my counterpart, my coworkers, my supervisor, or someone else that I trust. A lot of miscommunication is a result of being afraid to clarify something.

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

When I am not working, I usually try to catch up on reading; sometimes I’ll read the books I brought with me and sometimes I’ll listen to audiobooks. Or I listen to some of my favorite music or talk with my family, friends and other Volunteers. If there is still sunlight out, I’ll play catch with the kids in my community.

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

I am pretty excited to see all the other Volunteers at our close of service conference. We haven’t all been together since mid-service training a few months ago and it will be the last time we will all see each other until who knows when. I am also looking forward to seeing more of Uganda as there are areas of the country I haven’t had the privilege to see yet.

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

Before joining the Peace Corps, it’s important to understand the true value of service isn’t the skills you learn during your service or the programs you have more access to after your service. It’s the connections you make and the reexamination of who you are and what you’re capable of doing. When I return to the United States, I am hoping to invest in the people of my community as much as the people of my community invest in each other. Because that is where lasting change is made.