This year, Peace Corps has been celebrating their 50th Anniversary. To me this meant one thing: party! And Peace Corps Turkmenistan did just that. After a fairly formal kick off event back in March, we opted for a more casual culmination event. We held a Peace Corps fair with booths that highlighted our work, our communities and the history of Peace Corps. We were even able to give away resources to teachers in attendance, as well as chow down on pizza while dancing to some live music. Overall, I think the event was a success as Volunteers came together to put on an event that showed our lives here but also our lives as Americans. Serious thanks to Stephanie VanCleave for her tireless work on an amazing anniversary video…hopefully I can get that posted up here soon so you all can enjoy it. Those who attended, including my counterpart and two friends, seemed touched by the effort we had gone to in order to make them feel welcome. Mostly, I was proud to see that even though our group is small in number, we still can come together to do wonderful things.
Now, beyond just the partying, I had not given much thought to the significance of 50 years. Since I have had a little time to think about it since the madness of event planning has come to a close, I realize how much time that really is. When I joined the Peace Corps I didn’t think I was taking a risk – despite what my tearful parents said. I was choosing to go live and work someplace new, through a well recognized and respected program. It was that simple to me. But what about those, 50 years ago, who jumped aboard planes for that same fate but without that same reassurance? I know JFK was a cutie, but man he really got people up and moving. Would I have been so willing then? What lie would I have had to tell my parents to calm their fears and ease my own at the same time? I’m clever, but not that clever.
More specifically, over the past few months I have found myself thinking about the history of Peace Corps Turkmenistan and even more specifically, the history of Volunteers in Tagta. How has their work impacted mine? Well, some of them left colossal footprints in the hearts and schools of my town which I have been working not so much to fill but rather to create a different impression along side theirs. I know that it was their efforts that have allowed me to enter into my community with ease, so thank you to those who came before me.
Thank you, Brandon for allowing Gulshat to participate in your English clubs, it is because of you that she had the confidence to go on and work with other Volunteers.Thank you, Gretchen, Margaret, Sari and Valerie for the strides you made at School #7 and the resources you created for me. Thank you, Michelle for your work at School #2, you left motivated and friendly teachers who quickly became my friends. Rachel, thank you for the camps and the effort you went to in order to motivate your teachers. They haven’t forgotten. Thank you, Valerie and Christie for sharing your American lives with the Batyrov family; because of you I have a home.Valerie, thank you for being an athletic girl because now people seek me out to play a game of volleyball and there are fewer confused looks when I run around town. I guess, thank you for showing us that it is possible to leave an impact. On the tougher days, I think about all of you that came before and I look forward to being part of this community even once I have left it.
