Prior to the COVID-19 evacuation in 2020, Adam and I were approved for extending a third year in the community with a focus on working with the local women's group and creating instructional videos in local language. Alas, we all know what happened in March 2020. There are no words to describe how difficult it … Continue reading Peace Corps Zambia: Women’s Group Chicken and Egg Project
Peace Corps Zambia: Packing List Updated 2023
Hello! If you are new here, I began my Peace Corps service with the Rural Aquaculture Promotion project in 2018 and was evacuated due to COVID-19 in 2020. My partner, Adam, and I were lucky enough to reinstate back to our community in 2022. So we went through the packing process all over again and … Continue reading Peace Corps Zambia: Packing List Updated 2023
Peace Corps Zambia: How to Light a Brazier
Before the COVID-19 evacuation, pre-service training took place in a village setting where trainees live with host families to learn local language, customs, and daily living. It's where I learned how to sweep the yard dirt, gut a fish, harvest groundnuts, etc. Our lovely host family for three months of pre-service training Since Peace Corps … Continue reading Peace Corps Zambia: How to Light a Brazier
Hi, I’m Alive!
Hello, is anybody there? I wonder who would even read this. It may seem like I have abandoned this website, but I didn't forget. I've just become more private in the past two years, wanting to share less and just kind of disappear from sharing my thoughts on the internet. The pandemic wasn't an easy … Continue reading Hi, I’m Alive!
Peace Corps Zambia: [VIDEO] Making Chickpea Wraps
Cooking elaborate meals from scratch became a hobby of mine during Peace Corps service. Here is a video about the long process of making chickpea wraps!
Peace Corps Zambia: Girls Leading Our World Camp!
Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) is a Peace Corps initiative encouraging girls to become more active citizens by building self-esteem and confidence, increasing self-awareness, and developing skills to set goals and life planning. Thousands of clubs around the world are promoting gender equality and female empowerment for girls ages 10-19. GLOW creates a safe space for girls to express themselves and discuss important issues that are sometimes taboo and stigmatized. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, confidence, healthy relationships, female reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, income-generating activities, and leadership.
Peace Corps Evacuated 7,300 Volunteers Worldwide. This is My Story.
On March 15, 2020, Peace Corps director, Jody Olsen, posted an open letter announcing that due to the pandemic, all Peace Corps activity will be suspended worldwide. For the first time in the organization's 59 years, all 7,300 volunteers are being evacuated. Adam and I had to suddenly pack up and leave our home, our job, and our communities after two years.
One Second Every Day – October 2019 – Peace Corps Zambia
I've been recording one-second video clips every day since 2014. This has been a great way to preserve those memories from all of our travels. I highly recommend the 1 Second Everyday app to do the same! You will enjoy looking back at those videos. There is something beautiful to capture every single day, no … Continue reading One Second Every Day – October 2019 – Peace Corps Zambia
One Second Every Day – September 2019 – Peace Corps Zambia
I've been recording one-second video clips every day since 2014. This has been a great way to preserve those memories from all of our travels. I highly recommend the 1 Second Everyday app to do the same! You will enjoy looking back at those videos. There is something beautiful to capture every single day, no … Continue reading One Second Every Day – September 2019 – Peace Corps Zambia
Quick Guide: Trekking Mount Mulanje, Malawi
When one thinks of hiking in the African continent, Kilimanjaro likely comes to mind. The Tanzanian mountain range hosts Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters. The popular and challenging trek comes at a high cost - required permits, guides, and porters can easily add up to over $1,000 and it can be questionable how fairly that money is distributed. If Kilimanjaro isn't a high priority and you'd like to seek paths less traveled while maintaining a low budget, consider hiking at Mulanje in neighboring Malawi!