Meeting a Peace Corps Volunteer

At the conference I met Anna, a young 24 year old American Peace Corps volunteer based in Busia, Kenya.  Her two-year assignment consists of teaching deaf children in a small village 14 hours mini bus ride away from Nairobi.  She’s the only American white female in her village, and with her long blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes, she’s sure to be noticed anywhere she goes. 

She teaches deaf children who, for some, have been kept away by their families and have had no schooling, so her students ages range from 5 to 28!  She frequently goes through the village and looks for other deaf students, for whom she either finds sponsors  or even sponsors herself.  I’m not sure of the exact number but tuition for one year for one student is less than $50.00.  Not much when you consider your weekly grocery bill or your internet for the month!

Her housing is provided by her school, right on the school ground…  She says herself that a piece of plywood separates her from her girls!  You talk about total lack of privacy, constant contact with her students.  She sure doesn’t lack enthusiasm and passion for her students’ education.  She’s becoming fluent in Kenyan sign language – and even in some of the village versions, as each family develops their own sign system when they have no deaf schooling!

At the same time, she sounds so blasé about major issues, such as STD, AIDS and rape.  STDs are rampid in rural Africa and are often misunderstood.  The village people would rather listen to the local witch doctor who tells them that you can’t catch anything if you eat this or drink that!  Also, common belief is that young virgins will cure you of any STDs – which brings the case of sexual abuse!

She told me that since she’s been at the school, she knows of two instances where an older boy (remember some of her students are 25 year old men!) forced himself on a 10 or 12 year old.  The last time was just last week when she noticed a 10-year-old girl had dirt all over her back and in her hair.  Upon questioning, that little girl told Anna what had happened to her.  My first response was: “So, what did the police do?”.  She laughed, said they don’t intervene in the villages in cases such as those!   All they did was talk with the boy, tell him it’s not right and he shouldn’t do that again!  Isn’t that insane?

Anna is a special person.  She lives in physical isolation from other expats, although she has internet and email/facebook and skype contacts almost daily.  

She’s young, only 24 years old, but already so mature and driven!   She sure isn't in this for the money, as her monthly "salary" is $200!!!  I can’t say I’ve met many people her age like her!  Check out her blog, where she narrates some of her adventures..    Anna's blog