Leah R.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

I’ve long had a passion for helping others in all aspects of life. One day a teacher I taught with introduced me to the idea of the Peace Corps. I met with a couple of people who had done similar types of volunteering and did some research on my own. I soon found that the Peace Corps would be an amazing opportunity, combining my passion for helping others with intercultural exchange and sharing knowledge on both sides.

2. What projects are you working on?

Currently I am teaching English, facilitating programs, as well as holding a GLOW (“girls leading our world”) club, every Friday. The goal of each meeting is for the young women to leave feeling more confident and empowered. It is a 18-week program designed to fit the needs of the women in my community. Our biggest focus is boosting women's engagement in our community and giving them life skills to meet opportunities with preparation.

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

For me, the best way to integrate was to spend time outside. Going on walks helped people to get used to seeing me in their community and gave me the chance to meet people I wouldn’t have met through work. After meeting people around the village, I received a lot of dinner invitations, and invites to celebrations, too. I believe attending these activities helped the community trust me, and helped me trust them.

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

The biggest highlight of my service so far has been GLOW camp. The women enjoy the communal learning style and always engage in discussions on every topic. The attendance has been consistent for the most part and I can really tell the women and girls love the weekly activities.

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

The thing I've enjoyed the most about my service is the newfound family that I have gained through this experience. Many people in Morocco have accepted me into their families and traditions. For lunch on Fridays in Morocco couscous is always served in households. I spend Fridays going from house to house due to the many couscous invitations from mothers around the community.

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

One of the most important things I've learned from my community is the power of just being present. Sometimes I find myself lost in the Arabic language. I attend gatherings and programs even though I may not fully understand what is being said in Arabic. I build rapport with people just by being there and lending a helping hand when needed.

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

When I am not working on a project or preparations for a class, I find myself doing things I love or trying new activities. I often go for walks, paint, and practice self-care during my free time. Some new activities I’ve done more frequently are going on hikes or trying a new recipe.

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

In my last 10 months of service, I look forward to continuing the work that I’ve already started, while also forming new relationships with more people in Morocco. I also want to do another grant project focusing more on the environment and wellness activities outdoors with my community before returning home.

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

I will try to focus more on the relationships I have with my friends and family as well as strangers I meet along the way. Before coming to the Peace Corps I felt the stress of needing to get everything together as soon as possible—a job, finances, and life in general. Coming here I’ve realized that having “the ideal life” isn’t what keeps me happy; it's the people and experiences I have with them that makes life worth living.