The answer to many-a-question "What will you be doing there?"

The short answer is-- Girls Education and Empowerment (GEE).

The long answer is-- This past year, I lived in Bloomington-Normal, IL doing my graduate work at Illinois State University. I was lucky enough to find a program that combined both graduate-level education (in Sociology) as well as a Peace Corps experience into a 'Masters International' program. ISU, with the help of the Stevenson Center, happened to be the only school in the country that offered this sequence with Sociology. So, upon completion of my thesis and my volunteer service, I will have my Masters in Sociology and Applied Community Development.
Under the 'Community Development' branch of the Peace Corps there are several different programs--GEE being one of them. Because of my interest and experience in women's studies, I gladly accepted this offer!

So, again...what exactly will I be doing?!
According to the Peace Corps, the GEE program focuses on the following goals:

1. Girls, together with boys, will increase their knowledge and will develop personal skills that contribute to their successful completion of school or professional training and will be empowered to participate in their communities.
2. Formal and non-formal educators will create positive environments for the promotion of girls' education in collaboration with boys.
3. Organizations will contribute to the development of their community through the promotion of education and empowerment of girls in collaboration with boys and the development of financial and human resources.
4. The communities and community based organizations will be actively engaged in the campaign to increase the enrollment rate and retention (continued enrollment) of girls in schools and apprenticeship centers. Communities will use local and external resources to support gender equity in families, community organizations, schools and cooperative groups.

**(The above information came directly from the Peace Corps Assignment Description)**

I will spend the first 3 months in an intense training program. The training includes language (French), cultural , safety/security, medical/health, and technical training. During this time, I will live with a host family who will me acclimate to my new surroundings. After I complete training, I will then move to my post, where I will complete a full 2 years of service...


I hope that helps some people to understand a little bit more of what I'll be doing....my individual project won't be determined after I have been on site for awhile, complete a community assessment of schools, apprenticeship centers, etc. and determine what types of activities are needed in the community. Again, I'll be sure to keep you all updated as this process unfolds...

-K