The Essence of Peace Corps..

In rural Ethiopia, the English language is extremely important for students who want to move onto the next grade and eventually attend University.  Starting in 9^th grade, all the subjects and textbooks are in English, as well as the “metric” exams (taken in 10^th and 12^th grades, to determine if the student can move to the next grade and/or to University).  Therefore, it is important for them to have a solid understanding of English, even though it is not their native language.  However, especially in the rural areas such as Mezezo, there aren’t many people who speak English, making it difficult for students to practice and to succeed in English!  

For the past 12 months I have worked with the same group of 6 fifth-grade students in an after-school club, where we practice English, do crafts, read children’s books, learn songs in both Amharic and English, and play sports like Frisbee and soccer (futbol).  Together, the students recently read their first children’s book, and it was wonderful to watch the fifth graders sound out the rhythmic stories of Dr. Seuss!  It reminded me of my childhood.  Together, the students learned how to play Frisbee, a game they had never heard of before.  Together, the students have also become more and more comfortable with speaking English, and in 12 months went from only knowing a few basic English words, to being able to have conversations!

Teddy and Sosina, two of the students participants in the after school club!

Last month I was lucky enough to have my parents visit Ethiopia; we spent two days in my rural village, Mezezo.  In Mezezo, we visited the home of one of the students from the after-school club, whose name is Teddy.  While there, Teddy and his friend Sosina, also from the after-school club, came over to me and in English, whispered in my ear, “Can we sing in English for your mother and father?” They were so thrilled and eager, as they first introduced themselves to my parents in English had a conversation in English together, and then proceeded to sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” motions and all! When they finished, they were beaming.  Their confidence and eagerness to show their English-language skills to my parents made me so proud. 

Teddy takes the stage to show his impressive English skills to the group!

Then Teddy’s father said to my parents, “I’ll never forget what Hannah has done, teaching them English is going to change their lives.  He then said, “For me, that is the greatest gift anyone can give to me; to teach my child in ways that will change his life and give him opportunities for the future.”

My sitemate, Alex, Sosina, Teddy, and me!

This experience is the essence of my Peace Corps service.  The personal connections, relationships, and ways that I can influence others, while I am learning even more from them, is what Peace Corps is all about.