Jennie Sawyer Learns About Success in Peace Corps

stories shared by our readers

Shared By: prconsult on 9/18/08

 upload stories, videos, pics
 printer friendly version
 email this page to a friend
 rate this story
 comment on this story

This story's category:
Hometown Hero

Jennie Sawyer, a 2004 graduate of Thomas College (located in Waterville, Maine) is a long way from her home town of Tewksbury, Massachusetts as well as the comfort of her classrooms and dormitories at Thomas. Jennie has been calling Gambia, in Western Africa, her home for the last 18 months. She is completing a two-year assignment as a volunteer with the Peace Corps.

Jennie was a first generation student at Thomas. Neither of her parents attended college. Her Mom graduated from high school and her Dad left school early to get a job and help with his family's expenses. According to Jennie, "In my youth, college was never an option. It was never even discussed. The bottom line was even though people were happy when I said I was going to school, no one knew what that meant."

Jennie spent most of her high school years in the streets and then dropped out completely. When she realized her choices were leading to a dead end, she became determined to succeed. She worked hard to get her GED and then worked her way into community college away from her hometown. "I realized I had to leave the streets and my environment behind and focus on my education and my future. As a result, I decided to look for a school where I could live on campus. That brought me to Thomas College," she said.

"I wish I had a better story of how it was the degree programs or the guaranteed job placement offered by Thomas College that interested me," Jennie explained. "The truth is that it was the work of the admissions office at Thomas, and its focus on the individual that captured my attention," she said. "[The staff in] admissions took time to assist me during the application process and turned a difficult choice into an easy one. By the end of my visit I knew I had found the right school."

ennie recalled her academic life, "I met professors like Darlene Ratte, adjunct instructor, who took time to support and encourage me personally and academically. She also helped me through the tedious Peace Corps application process." Jenny said her experience at Thomas was eye opening. "For the average student, college is where young people gain experience and learn their independence. Since I had learned to be independent at a young age, Thomas College gave me the ability and confidence to tackle a world that was once unattainable to me," she said. "I have gained many things from my experience there, but by far the greatest thing I have gained is an unbounded future."

Transition to Peace Corps Volunteer

As part of her Peace Corps assignment, Jennie is an Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Education Volunteer. When Jennie first arrived, she received three months of training and lived with her host family in rural Gambia-the bush country-she reports. "I learned first-hand how to live in and understand the Gambian culture and its citizens. It was an amazing process of learning and sharing that took place," she remembered.

Gambia lies on the western side of Africa, surrounded by Senegal. It is part of the Kombo area which consists of many urban cities including its Capitol, Banjul. Gambia is west of Algeria and Mali and lies across the South Atlantic Ocean from Brazil.

During her assignment, Jennie receives a living allowance and stipend. Many essential supplies are provided, such as medical kits and water filters. Jennie explains, "The Peace Corps emphasizes that volunteers live at the same financial level of local people. This is in part why the Peace Corps is one of the most appreciated and highly regarded overseas programs by locals."

ennie's major at Thomas College was Human Resource Management. She said that her studies have greatly helped with her endeavors in Gambia. The most meaningful coursework was her Third World Cultures class taught by Dr. Nelson Madore. Her psychology and sociology classes were also very useful because they covered understanding human behavior and provided methods of teaching to differing learning styles.

Jennie explains, "What I do outside of my job goes far beyond what is expected of me as a teacher. I help others write resumes, train them for interviews, and assist with college searches and applications. Students want to learn, and they know there is a world beyond The Gambia. They need someone to teach them the life skills required to attain their dreams. My human resource studies have proven invaluable."

Gambian Education System

As an Education Volunteer, Jennie has learned much about the Gambian school system and how different it is from schools in America. She began working at St. Therese's Upper Basic School, which is similar to America's junior high schools. She first created a curriculum and trained another ICT teacher.

Jennie was also instrumental in developing a new computer lab with Internet access. She says that Web use is a new development for Gambian schools. "The labs are not built with new equipment and much depends on donations," she explained. "As they say in The Gambia, progress comes ‘doman, doman' which means slowly, slowly."

Jennie reports that there are two distinct differences in a Gambian education, as compared to the States. They are lack of gender equality and the teaching of non-traditional students who can range from a 20-year-old fourth-grader to a host family.

Like many African states, Gambia has serious human welfare problems. The government is dedicated to changing this and to giving particular attention to children's welfare. Gambia's Department of Education and Department of Health, Social Welfare and Women's Affairs are heavily funded, and compulsory primary education is required. While provided for free, there are insufficient resources to fully implement the program. In February 1998, Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, ended all fees for the first six years of schooling.[1]

Culture, Life and Language in the Gambia

Transition into Gambian culture was difficult. Jennie was successful by learning to understand people within their own environment. "Understanding a different culture takes time, patience and the ability to form authentic and trusting relationships. Before one can do useful work, they must earn the trust and respect of the people," Jennie said.

ennie explains, "When I first arrived I encountered many surprises, especially the lack of gender equality. This issue negatively impacts positions of power for women, lessens classroom participation by girls, and hampers social communication between sexes. There is a movement towards more equality by youth, but it has a long way to go."

The Gambia is mostly without electricity and running water. In Kombo people can access utilities for a few hours each day without disruption. However, it does not compare to what Americans expect. "They are the most basic of systems," according to Jennie. "Electricity equals a light bulb hanging by a wire and running water is simply a pipe that drips occasional water."

During her time there, Jennie has been learning two languages-Madinka and Wolof. Madinka is spoken mainly in the bush country of the Kombo. It is her favorite language because she likes the beauty of its spoken word. Wolof is the most common language and the one she learned for teaching and to fulfill volunteer activities.

Jennie has been very active in sports during her assignment. No surprise, given that she played volleyball at Thomas College. While teaching at the St. Therese's Upper Basic School, the male students expressed interest in American basketball, so Jennie found herself coaching them in basketball.

Many of the girls were fascinated at the rare site of seeing a female coach. One day after practice, Jennie invited them to join in, and now she is coaching the girl's basketball team.

"Basketball and other sports, such as volleyball, are rarely played here and they are usually reserved for males," Jennie said. "Playing sports has allowed the girl's confidence to rise through the roof." She is now coaching at three schools, and with assistance from other Peace Corps volunteers she is also hosting sports clinics throughout the Kombo. According to Jennie, "Athletics has positively impacted the school's students, staff, and administration."

Lessons Learned

Jennie believes that her experience in the Peace Corps, and in Africa, has taught her a new appreciation for America. "I wish more people knew just how amazing our country is," she says. "I don't mean our politics, but our standard of living. Education is the greatest benefit. But so is our access to electricity, clean water, medical supplies and government aid programs."

For anyone considering the Peace Corps, Jennie says that it is the greatest volunteer program, "You don't have to be rich, too young or old. You don't have to be a genius or a tree-hugging backpacker. I am a perfect example; I am as urban as they come."  "The Peace Corps has allowed me-once, a high school dropout-to volunteer in a highly deprived foreign country. I have learned so much," she said.

Acceptance to the Peace Corps Volunteer Program is difficult. The rate is low compared to the number of applicants. To be successful, Jennie says students should volunteer within their field of interest. For example, after graduation from Thomas, Jennie became a substitute teacher, volunteered at Planned Parenthood and took Red Cross classes in first aid and HIV/AIDS management. Jennie's advice to anyone who is interested, "Do your research before applying. And also check out the Peace Corps Web site, "It contains tons of information about the process."

The chance to make a real difference in people's lives is one reason most people join the Peace Corps. But that is not the only benefit of service. Volunteers also have the chance to learn a new language, live in another culture, and develop career and leadership skills.

According to the Peace Corps Web site, "The Peace Corps experience can enhance long-term career prospects whether you want to work for a corporation, non-profit, or a government agency. It even opens doors to graduate school. From practical benefits such as student loan deferment, career benefits like fluency in a foreign language, and the intangible benefits that come with making a difference in people's lives, there are a variety of rewards for the dedicated service of volunteers that last a lifetime."

Upon completion of her assignment, Jennie plans to take advantage of the graduate school assistance program. Jennie says, "The Peace Corps was a stepping stone for my future and hands down the most amazing experience I have ever had. There are many outstanding graduate schools that offer tuition assistance, stipends, and give credit for time served. In the past, most of them would have only been a dream for me, but now they are the ones I will pursue." And guess what? Thomas College is on her list.

Finally, Jennie reflects, "I have almost finished my service here. I started with the intention of doing my part in the world, but I feel that I will leave with far more than I have given. I have gained so much, met so many new people, shared so many new experiences, and learned from every challenge and accomplishment."

No doubt that Jennie is an inspiration for us all; and, in particular, for the college student who is striving to gain valuable skills and experience that will help in any career path.

Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos

 Start Uploading Now!

Discuss this Article