Fall 2010 - National Peace Corps Association

50th AnniversaryVoice from the 1980sHard lessons learned and a life changed for the betterby Lisa HayesMy Peace Corpsservice in Malawifrom 1989 to1991 was a time of activeself-discovery and personalgrowth.Coping with the challengeof being “re-slotted” outof my first assignmentand into a new job wasan early test of flexibility.Dealing with my first roundof malaria was a test offortitude. The lonelinessI lived with was a test ofmy tolerance as I steppedout of the safe shadow ofmy innate shyness andbefriended those aroundme, regardless of age,background, education orother factors that makefriendships naturallydevelop. Accepting thelimits of the transportationsystem and walking where Ineeded to go put me in thebest physical shape of mylife and made me love longwalks. Seeing dire povertymade me understand howblessed I am and that mymoney is not my own tohorde, but is in my handsto help others. Toleratingthe “other” American in myarea violating the rules ofhis own U.S. Governmentfundedposition and evangelizingto all and sundry was a test of myvery real Christian faith and faithin all that is good about Americanfreedom. Advising the Malawianswho sought my advice on how toshow this man they were “Christianenough” for a scholarship to the U.S.was a test of diplomacy.“This is the family I helped with the five kwacha loan. LikeScarlett O’Hara, the little girl’s dress is made from the curtainsof my first house. Her name was Sofeelet. Her mother had seena picture of a beautiful woman and named her for that woman:Sofia Loren.”Learning from my non-PeaceCorps co-workers in a World Bankfundedlibrary system that whatwe built was effectively destroyedand useless within two years of ourdeparture? Devastating, but notsurprising. Hearing that the men wereplaced so they could earn degreesand become librarians had comehome and quit, and thatone had misused studentloans? This bred even morecynicism that systemicchange can be created fromwithout with infusionsof money. Hearing thatPeace Corps projects I wasinvolved with or aware ofall turned into new homesfor headmasters or othersin power increased thecynicism again.But, none of thismanaged to make mecynical about one-on-one“development.”The 5 kwacha “loan” Igave a local women andthe education that truckgarden then provided to herchildren makes me glad tobe alive. Remembering somany other small “handsup” makes me proud—notonly of myself, but of thenation that sent us into thefield to truly change livesfor the better. One-on-onethere is no doubt of PeaceCorps’ effectiveness.“The toughest job I’veever loved?” No, that isparenting my two Ukrainebornteenagers today. But,I wouldn’t trade the years Ihad in Southern Malawi foranything.Thank you, America, for allowingme the opportunity to serve. Thankyou Malawi for changing my life forthe better, forever.Lisa Hayes (Malawi 89-91) isa librarian at Indiana WesleyanUniversity and “a passionate supporterof the Peace Corps.”42 WorldView Fall 2010 National Peace Corps Association