It’s back to basics for USA volunteers
Published on 27/07/2010
By Lucianne Limo
Adam Crider, 29, has lived a fast-paced life in New York City where everything is automated and most transactions are conducted using credit cards. This has also been the life of Brian Shutzaberger for the past 27 years. He loves big cars, and owns a luxurious BMW in his native Oklahoma. But the two youths are among the 36 American volunteers who have abandoned their privileged lives in the US to volunteer under the Peace Corps programme. Crider has traded his apartment in the most expensive city in the world, known to many as the Big Apple, for a small room in Rusinga Island that has no running water.
Bright expectations: US volunteers in a group picture with ambassador Ranneberger and other embassy staff. [PHOTO: MBUGUA KIBERA/STANDARD]
Shutzaberger, on the other hand, will have to do a bit of walking in Western Kenya where he is to help small and medium enterprises get on their feet. But even these lifestyle anxieties have not dampened their enthusiasm for the work ahead, and the new country.
Rusinga Island
"I’m excited about my two years in Kenya, and look forward to joining my community on Rusinga Island," Crider said after being sworn in by US ambassador Michael Ranneberger at his residence in Nairobi. A telecommunication specialist, Shutzaberger admits his new lifestyle will be a huge contrast to what he has lived in the past – where bathrooms are fitted with sensors to flush after use, while wash basins emit water at the hint of hands. For the next 24 months, Shutzaberger will have to contend with a pit latrine for a toilet and using a bucket to bathe, not to mention probably living without electricity. The 36 volunteers have been in the country for two months undergoing a rigorous induction programme at Oloitoktok, before being dispatched to various communities in Western, Nyanza, Eastern and Coast Provinces.
Cultural Mosaic
While at Oloitoktok, the volunteers were taught everything from using a pit latrine to bathing using a bucket and killing a chicken for a meal. They were also introduced to the diverse cultures that make Kenya’s cultural mosaic. "Some of them had never seen a pit latrine or used a bucket to bathe. They were really shocked but learned very fast," said Helen Tuken and Koikai Lemereu, who tutored and hosted some of the volunteers. "The most shocking thing for me was killing a chicken. I have never done it, and that really traumatised me. The chicken was nonetheless delicious," revealed Shutzaberger. Most of the volunteers interviewed said they left their comfort zones because they desire to change their career paths and, while at it, make a useful contribution to the less fortunate. Crider says he had reached a point in his career where he wanted change and, after evaluating his interests, he decided to pursue a path that would lead him to the US Government’s international affairs department.
Strong Foundation
"I felt that the Peace Corps provided a great opportunity to utilise my professional skills to help others, and learn to work in a very different cultural environment. I also hope that it will provide a strong foundation for a career in international affairs," he said, adding he would subsequently take a Master’s degree in community work. But, could they be US spies? "I have heard the rumours about Peace Corps volunteers being spies. To my knowledge, those claims are completely false. I was not recruited to spy for the US Government or any other entity," Crider said swiftly. He said he arrived in Kenya by chance as the only choice they made was that of region, not a specific country. "Sub-Saharan Africa was my first choice, and I’m very happy to have been placed in Kenya," he said. During their swearing in ceremony at the US embassy, another volunteer, Lorenzo Nava summed up, in very good Kiswahili, how prepared they were to face the new challenges. "We have left our loved ones and put off our careers in America to be in Kenya. We shall eat, sleep and breath ugali," Nava said to a great applause.
Miss families
"We will spend every Saturday morning for the next two years hand washing our laundry," Nava added, hinting at the work ahead. The volunteers said even though they are likely to miss their families back home, the experience and the service to the community would be worth the trouble. "We are prepared to learn and function in communities that are hugely different from our own. We will grow in ways we have never imagined, as we are prepared to put our skills, creativity and passion to the respective communities we will work for," Nava added.
Dropouts
The Peace Corps country director Steven Wisecarver said none of the volunteers chosen this year had dropped out of the programme unlike in the past. The volunteers will work in three key areas: Education, Public Health and Small Enterprise Development. Those in Education sector will support the Ministry of Education teach maths, science and life skills. They will also teach the importance of education to girls, counsel communities on HIV and Aids as well as serve as role models to students. Volunteers in the Small Enterprise Development will help in upgrading the business skills of those in income generating activities and help small entrepreneurs improve the quality of their products.
In the process, the participants shall have to encounter the unique cultures of Kenya, and the spirit of sharing that has kept its people going. There are prospects of learning new languages as well, not to mention getting other life perspectives.
