Fifty years later as we find many nations at a crossroads -- fighting for democracy, struggling for freedom, breaking strongholds of colonialism, searching for economic independence, and wanting an international voice -- the mission to create ‘peace and friendship’ among nations and to support one another in such efforts is increasingly necessary.
Fortunately, this unique heritage continues to inspire today. Since 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 139 countries and having an impact every day. http://www.peacecorps.gov/
In honor of each Peace Corps Volunteer who has selflessly dedicated two years of their life to a distant land and a foreign people, I write this blog…And I highlight one of my dear friends, Lauren Simkulak, and her service in the country of Uganda.
A Candid Reflection of my Time as a Peace Corps Volunteer
by Lauren Simkulak
In February 2009, I departed for Uganda to serve as a Business Advisor in the Economic Development program of Peace Corps Uganda. I was placed with a small, start-up, indigenous non-governmental organization, Transform Uganda in a small northeastern town called Kumi Town.
At the time of my arrival, Transform had no funding and only two projects with volunteer-staff. Needless to say, it was a difficult start in my PC journey. However, even with little funding, we were able to start their first economic development project, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), an informal sector of microfinance developed by CARE International in the 1990s.
We started with just 6 associations, teaching 2 project coordinators and 3 community-based trainers on the concept of the project. Two years later, we now have 20 groups. The project has attracted attention from other donors and in the near future, it’s expected these groups will be used to expand their scope of service to water and sanitation, renewable energy and business/income-generating activities.
What Was Your Greatest Accomplishment?As my secondary project, I taught life skills at a local all-girls boarding school, teaching health issues, self-esteem, goal-setting, and sex education. Once a week I went to the school and spent time with the girls who were always so enthusiastic to see me, ask questions, and discuss critical topics. We started a “question box” where they could write as many questions as they had and place them in the box for me to answer...“Does washing with Coca Cola after sex make you a virgin?” or “Does wearing trousers make you not a girl?”…While foreigners might find these questions funny, these were real concerns the girls had after hearing them from “aunties” and friends in the village, where most of their inaccurate information came from.
From this project bore my interest in gender and development issues. So, along with another volunteer, we started the “Gender and Development” committee within Peace Corps Uganda. Our goal was to encourage PCVs to implement gender-related activities in their communities. Our main project became creating Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World), a girls’ empowerment camp. To witness 150 girls laugh, play sports, exhibit creativity, make new friends, interact with each other in a very different environment from that of their school was truly the most inspiring time in my two years! http://www.campglowuganda.yolasite.com/.
150 Girls from across Uganda attend Camp GLOW!
What Was Your Greatest Failure?
I had so many failures in my two years in Uganda. We were always told in training that “if you don’t fail in the two years at something, you’re not a real PCV.” This meant that we would try many things, and many things would fail, and maybe a few would succeed. This was very true!
At the beginning of launching our VSLA project, I thought I had everything organized, down to the smallest details. I had trained our 2 Project Coordinators and 3 Community-Based Trainers quite well (at least, they did well on the practice activities!). Our first day, our first meeting, and no one showed up, I mean not even the CBT, until 2 hours past our scheduled meeting time. Then after finally getting underway, the trainers didn’t even follow the outline for the module. Nothing went as planned for about the first two weeks and I complained that this project was doomed for failure! However, slowly but surely, things began to change – and improve! Groups started showing up on time. The CBTs started following the outlines. And everyone began to really understand what we were doing.
This was the beginning of a long lesson I learned in my two years. I’ve always been prone to over-organizing and worrying incessantly. But during my Peace Corps service, I finally realized I needed to stop stressing over every situation because things ALWAYS worked out fine! Getting upset with others or hiding my feelings was not the way to be successful. Instead, talking openly about the good and bad, learning from our mistakes and how to improve them together, is what worked! This was true throughout my two years in Peace Corps, and I hope to apply it to the rest of my life.
What Was Your Biggest Challenge?
The most difficult part about being in the Peace Corps for 2 years was adjusting to the work ethic and slower pace of life in Uganda. In the beginning, when I had very little work, it was very difficult to remain happy. I was used to being busy, not having a lot of down time. It was the complete opposite in Uganda. And always showing up to meetings on time, against my better judgment, and finding no one there each and every time, was extremely frustrating. But that is life there and I had to accept it. I had to balance between “pushing” others to work harder and the realization that this was their culture and I was just a visitor – I had to be the one to adjust.
Who Were Your Greatest Mentors?
I would not say that I had just one or two mentors. Often people referred to me as their mentor, but I always told them they were mine! I learned something from each Ugandan I interacted with, my colleagues and counterpart at the school where I taught, and colleagues at other organizations that I collaborated with. It was the Ugandans who taught me about their culture, what to do, what not to do – I could not have implemented any projects by myself; I would’ve failed for sure!
As well, other Peace Corps Volunteers were my mentors. With them, I could release my frustrations and share my greatest challenges. Many of them taught me so much – not just how to implement a project, but how to be more positive every day or how to exude patience even when not feeling it. These were all my mentors throughout the two years and the people who had the greatest impact on me.
How Did Peace Corps Teach You Leadership?
Peace Corps has definitely taught and enhanced my leadership skills. You have to be a leader in Peace Corps to get anything accomplished in your two years! It taught me some of the greatest (and most difficult) qualities of being a good leader – tolerance, patience and respect for others who are different. I thought I had an inkling of these qualities beforehand, but this experience has taught me so much more. It’s easy to be a leader in a group of people exactly like you, but it’s extremely difficult to rise as a leader, whom is respected by all, in a community or situation where you are different from everyone else. Though I didn’t do it perfectly, I like to think that I was successful in my projects because I related to Ugandans, listened to them, learned from them and adjusted my own behavior and ideals to better suit the situations. It was the biggest challenge for me and the greatest experience.
What Leader Are You Most Inspired By In Your Life?
Perhaps it’s because I visited South Africa this past November and toured the Mandela museum in Johannesburg, but I think Nelson Mandela was a truly amazing leader. Without a doubt, he was a great political leader of South Africa, ending apartheid and creating a democratic country. He was also an extremely intelligent, dignified, empathetic, dedicated and respected man. But more than this, he was a moral leader. After being released from prison, he encouraged the blacks and “coloured” people to repair relations with the white South Africans and to forgive. He knew the country would never survive without this important step. I think many of today’s leaders would never promote this type of healing. Vengeance is often wanted in today’s world. Unlike most leaders today, he stepped down even when he could have remained. And yet he continued to play a part in world politics, negotiating peace agreements and fighting for human rights.
What Things You Will Miss The Most?
What I will miss the most are my Ugandan friends and colleagues. When we were in training, many PCVs told us that we’d never be true friends with people at our site because most just wanted to be friends with us for money. It was a sad thought. However, many of us found that not to be the case. I met many educated, young Ugandans who were also working in similar positions. I began making friends slowly, learning to trust. I realized they didn’t just want to be friends with the “mzungu” for money or material things. They respected me and I them. They treated me as a friend and made my two years better than I ever thought possible. I’m going to miss these friendships the most!
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy.
Then he becomes your partner” – Nelson Mandela***************************************
Special Thanks to Lauren Simkulak, RPCV Uganda 2009-11, for sharing her personal views. This post is dedicated to all the Peace Corps Volunteers doing crucial work in developing countries and reminding all of us that peace is possible through dedicated work and selfless giving!
