Upon first meeting me, people can easily conclude from my features that my ethnicity is Asian. I have thick black hair, small monolid eyes, and a flat nose. My 23 and Me DNA test came back as 99% East Asian, which didn't drop anybody's jaws as a surprise. But for the first twenty or so … Continue reading Being a Korean American Adoptee in the Peace Corps (Zambia)
This is our home. We are the first Peace Corps volunteers to live in this community - the first foreigners, actually. The house and area were barren when we first arrived one year ago, but a lot has changed over the time. In the future, I'll write a more in-depth post about the DIY and … Continue reading Peace Corps Zambia – House Tour Video
Having lived in Korea for three years, I quickly learned how essential kimchi is (my vegan kimchi recipe!); that people eat it three times a day and households have dedicated fridges just to store the stinky fermented vegetables. Kimchi is not just a spicy side dish, it is the center of Korean culture and a … Continue reading All About Nshima – The Zambian Dish
Gender equality is a social issue in most countries in the world, including the United States. Empowering women and girls is a major key in all aspects of development. In rural villages of Zambia, both men and women work hard, but traditionally defined gender roles require women to work longer hours, ultimately resulting in differing … Continue reading Day in the Life of a Girl – Peace Corps Zambia
"... living on less than one dollar a day" You hear this phrase on commercials to sponsor children in Africa, a catchphrase when it comes to describing the complicated issue of poverty. It's tossed around often, as is the idea that most people on the ginormous continent of Africa are poor. Yes, poverty is certainly … Continue reading What Can One Dollar Buy in Zambia?
Peace Corps is a unique development organization in that volunteers live in the communities they serve. Like our neighbors, our house is made of mud bricks and mortar. We poop in a hole, cook over a fire, and fetch our water like everyone else does. Living in a rural village isn't an easy adjustment, but … Continue reading 5 Essential Items in a Zambian Village
Only a small fraction of Peace Corps volunteers serve with a partner. Until recently, only those married for at least one year were accepted, but the organization opened positions for unmarried and same-sex couples. The Peace Corps' reasoning for only accepting married couples is that service can put a strain on a relationship, but I … Continue reading Serving in the Peace Corps as a Couple
