Category: Volunteer Spotlights
Peace Corps Volunteer K13: Susan
Where I’m from many people would think that moving to a foreign country for two years is crazy. My friends and family kept wondering why I wanted to join the Peace Corps because in their opinion, black people do not just leave and move to another country for no reason. They were still supportive of my decision, but concerned because black people are not always treated fairly when traveling abroad. Some of this may be true, but I am a person who does things for me and not for the likes of satisfying other people’s expectations of me.
Deshauna Barber, who is an American beauty pageant title holder, motivational speaker and Miss USA in 2016, once said “Do not fear failure, but please be terrified of regret.” She also said, “there are a lot of questions that will keep you up at night but I guarantee there isn’t one that will keep you up longer at night than the question, ‘What if I didn’t give up?’ ”
When things get tough for me during service I think of these two quotes. Sometimes we fail and sometimes we succeed, but the best successes come from sticking it out while it’s tough. In the first couple months of service I cried a lot at night, every chance I got I called my sister and told her how hard it was and how bad I wanted to come home. She would tell me to just wait it out. Then, I remembered the person that I am and all that I have achieved so far in my life, despite the challenges I have faced.
So, I made a goal with myself that if today was hard, I would wait to see if tomorrow would be worse. This always got me to the end of the next day. Usually it wasn’t the same kind of day. I would make sure to congratulate myself if I completed another week. I live for the day and I try to make everyday count as much as I can. Now I have completed close to 7 months in Cambodia and have been fully enjoying my service. I sometimes think back on what I would be doing if I had left after only one month in Cambodia? I probably wouldn’t even be able to imagine all the amazing things I’ve experienced or all the amazing people that I have met in my community.
Peace Corps Volunteer K13: Lily
One of the most important tasks of being a black Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia is spreading pride in having dark skin. I’ve lost count of the number of young girls that have told me disparaging comments about themselves relating to their dark skin. However, I can always recount the number of smiles I’ve seen after breaking down how each girl is beautiful for many reasons – including her rich dark skin!
Highlights of a Peace Corps Volunteer’s First Year of Service
One year of service down, one more to go! Peace Corps volunteer Kristin took some time to reflect on some of her best memories of service so far. She reflects on moments with her host family and friends, as well as her life as an English teacher in Cambodia. To learn more about her amazing experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer read her blog post here!
Peace Corps Volunteer K13: Kim Hueoy
សួស្តី! My name is Kim Hueoy. I am a Peace Corps Volunteer currently serving in Cambodia. I was born and raised in the Land of 10,000 lakes and I am of Khmer and Chinese descent. My parents were refugees that fled to the United States during the Khmer Rouge. My family taught me how to speak Khmer from a young age, but I still have a lot more to learn.
Being here in Cambodia has helped me embrace my identity as a Khmer-American. I face many challenges with not fitting the norm of what a Khmer woman should look like. However, living in Cambodia has allowed me the opportunity to embrace those differences and be myself with my community.
Cambodia: More Than Just Angkor 