Madison S.

1. What got you interested in the Peace Corps?

I´ve enjoyed volunteering for as long as I can remember. Peace Corps was a great opportunity to combine my love of volunteering with my desire to learn a new language and be immersed in another culture. For me, volunteering is an opportunity to not only give of myself, but to create connections with others whom I otherwise never would have connected with.  Peace Corps is also unique in that it offers a two-year program, long enough to really integrate and understand a community’s wants, needs, and strengths, and to aid change centered on and driven by the community.

2. What projects are you working on?

My primary projects include teaching and piloting a life skills series at a local school and continuing to promote training with a teacher's mental health manual created by the Volunteer before me and my current work partner. Other projects include preventing child and adolescent pregnancy and violence in collaboration with the town's education commission. Currently my main project is a Girls Leading our World (GLOW) camp that I’m organizing along with another Volunteer in my region and local organizations. Through this camp we hope to empower young women to take on projects and roles as leaders in their community, as well as equip them with knowledge of local resources.

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

I have stayed intentional about how the time I spend with my host family and counterparts. I also always try to say yes to invitations, although it is important to make sure you're not overwhelming yourself, especially in the beginning. This strategy has helped me connect with people and parts of my community outside of my host family and counterparts.

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

The highlight of my time in service so far is the relationship that I have with my host family. I am so lucky to have such a generous, kind and warm family. Together we have meals, family celebrations, and go to the sports complex together to play football (soccer). I have felt so welcomed and taken care of. These relationships are ones I know I'll keep for the rest of my life.

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

I have really enjoyed the unity and traditions of my community. When a holiday or celebrations come around, everyone takes part. Whether that’s parades, church services, cooking for others, or hosting a gathering, everyone chips in and everyone is involved. These events bring a sense of community and highlight the importance of slowing down and celebrating with loved ones, friends, and acquaintances.

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

The community in which I serve is a large but despite the size, I´ve found so many opportunities to get connected. My community is full of individuals and organizations working to create collaboration and opportunity, without losing the magic of what makes small communities so special. Everyone is connected one way or another, and I have really enjoyed getting to know and being a part of the community.

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

When I first got to my site I had a lot of downtime. Mainly because I was still getting my bearings and the school year hadn´t started yet. So I spent a lot of time at home and exploring my site. Now, when I´m not working on a project, I´m either spending time with my host family, practicing my new hobby of embroidering, spending time with other Volunteers, trying local restaurants with my site mate, or hiking and exploring my neighborhood.

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

I´m looking forward to completing the Girls Leading Our World project (and getting to see how that develops even after my service ends). I am also looking forward to another year teaching life skills, getting to take what I´ve learned this past year and apply it to improve this year. I’m also excited to see my host brothers graduate from their primary and secondary schools. Lastly, I´m excited to find out what I still have left to learn. Over a year in, I am still constantly learning new things and adjusting.

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

My favorite thing that I have picked up here that I intend to bring back with me to the U.S. is greeting people on the street. The act of acknowledging a stranger with kindness and being the first one to extend that olive branch can be so important and is very needed in the States. I´ve found a lot of power in simple acknowledgement of others, no matter how short the interaction.

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