On volunteerism

Last year, I was talking with a friend from college about applying for the Peace Corps and the state of volunteerism in the United States. Among our generation, he argued, volunteerism is dying – his words, not mine.

In a very real way, I look around at our millennial generation and I agree with Win (a new Teach for America alumnus, which is most definitely an act of service). With just a quick glance at social media, it would appear that my peers are most enamored with the three B’s: brunch, breweries, and bikes (Soul Cycle). I would like to quickly point out that none of these things are necessarily bad, and that I have fallen victim to all of the above – and many other millennial past times that have little to do with service toward others. In a generation that prides ourselves on being busier than everyone else, how does one simply have time to volunteer?

To that question, I counter with evidence of some of the most generous volunteers I know. My parents (heroes) spent years teaching a life skills class to teenagers at Contra Costa Juvenile Hall, and now invite their friends over to drink cocktails and write letters to their representatives in Congress. They attend marches, and fight for the rights of women, the truth of science, the importance of black lives and smart sense gun laws. My older sister shadows weekly in an oncology clinic, providing support and compassion to men and women diagnosed with and fighting against melanoma, and is dedicating her career (as a double doctor, I must add) to getting more girls involved in science. Diane and I taught high schoolers about sexual health through Peer Health Exchange, I met Hannah while volunteering in South Africa, Rachel volunteered all four years at Cal as a student-to-student peer counselor, Charlotte started an organization at Cal to save the sharks, my roommate Jessica successfully completed 27 months as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal and for the past year conducted research on refugee housing in Germany for her thesis, and of course Michael, who spends his Saturday mornings working with children and adults with disabilities to help achieve their physical fitness goals – how many 24 year old guys can say that?

My friends and family who avidly devote their time and energy to the betterment of others prove Win’s theory wrong – well, at least they prove it to be somewhat off. I don’t believe volunteerism is dead or even dying, but simply taking a nap. I am convinced that I surround myself with some of the greatest people in the world, and with their encouragement, I am excited to hang up my Yo-Pro (Young Professional) hat and move to Rwanda to become a still-young-semi-professional volunteer.

As a Maternal and Child Health Volunteer, I will be working at an assigned community health center in a small, likely rural, village. MCH Volunteers in Rwanda are working to improve maternal and child health and nutrition, support families to adopt improved hygiene and safe water practices at the household level, and encourage families to prevent and appropriately respond to childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, malaria and HIV. Many volunteers are also involved with projects such as after school clubs, youth camps, sports and extracurricular activities to promote gender equity, HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria mitigation and food security.

For the first 10 weeks, during pre-service training, my entire cohort will be living in Rwamagana with host families and will be trained in technical, cross-cultural, language, medical, and safety and security aspects of life within Rwanda. During this time, you can reach me at the address on the home page of this site. When I receive my site assignment, I will update you and all mail moving forward can be sent directly to where I will be living. You also can reach me via Facebook messenger, email and WhatsApp.

Over the past year, I have been asking myself what exactly I am doing in the world. I quickly concluded that there is more that I can do, and that sitting at my cubicle is no longer going to cut it in 2018. However, I also realize that I am not currently prepared, skilled or experienced enough for the “dream job” in which I would be trusted to make important and influential decisions about public health programs and policy. Instead, I am taking my rightful place at the bottom of the ladder – as a volunteer. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the men, women and children in my community, as well as other volunteers and staff. I am humbled to be given this opportunity and can only hope that it proves to be an exciting and interesting experience. No matter what it is, I am sure it will make for some unique and excellent content for my supportive, encouraging, and slightly perplexed family and friends.

I hate to say goodbye but cannot wait to squeeze you all hello in 27 months – or when you come visit me in Rwanda!