For better or worse, in a couple years, Peace Corps will probably not be what you think. It’s already different than what it was just five years ago here in Madagascar. When I pictured a “Peace Corps volunteer” before I signed up, I imagined someone living in the middle of nowhere, in a far off country, without electricity or food or running water or TV, etc. That was my stereotypical Peace Corps image that popped up in my mind. And, that is one reason why I joined. I was enticed because the experience was so different, so foreign. While I struggled at first with the lack of electricity, the whole “living in a shack” thing, and not being able to use all those skills I honed in college, I now feel extremely lucky to be living in my town of 800 off the grid. Not many volunteers will be able to have that experience in the upcoming years. It has been extremely rewarding to experience this way of life.
Even now, there are volunteers living in large towns with internet, electricity, showers, and all the comforts of home. But the major change is going to be for the volunteers living in towns like mine in the future. With cell phone service getting better, volunteers have been starting to use smartphones at site. Soon, most will be able to access internet, facebook with friends, and coordinate projects all from their house. It’s crazy to think, but in a few years, the volunteer living in the house I am currently living in will do that too. Even without running water or a good road or a daily market, they will be able to charge their phone using a solar panel and access internet. Currently, there is a new initiative called Stomp Out Malaria in Africa. In this campaign, volunteers with access to internet are using Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Tumblr, Google Docs, and Skype to coordinate projects to eradicate malaria across all of Africa. It’s wild stuff. Even volunteers without smartphones in many countries can text in Twitter updates or get information about updates programs via text.
I’m very excited about the potential of technology in developing countries to assist with real, long-term development. But, at the same time, I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to live off the grid a bit. If my Peace Corps experience was simply living far away from home and family, but with all the comforts of home, I don’t think I’d be enjoying it as much. Good timing, huh?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the States!
Even now, there are volunteers living in large towns with internet, electricity, showers, and all the comforts of home. But the major change is going to be for the volunteers living in towns like mine in the future. With cell phone service getting better, volunteers have been starting to use smartphones at site. Soon, most will be able to access internet, facebook with friends, and coordinate projects all from their house. It’s crazy to think, but in a few years, the volunteer living in the house I am currently living in will do that too. Even without running water or a good road or a daily market, they will be able to charge their phone using a solar panel and access internet. Currently, there is a new initiative called Stomp Out Malaria in Africa. In this campaign, volunteers with access to internet are using Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Tumblr, Google Docs, and Skype to coordinate projects to eradicate malaria across all of Africa. It’s wild stuff. Even volunteers without smartphones in many countries can text in Twitter updates or get information about updates programs via text.
I’m very excited about the potential of technology in developing countries to assist with real, long-term development. But, at the same time, I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to live off the grid a bit. If my Peace Corps experience was simply living far away from home and family, but with all the comforts of home, I don’t think I’d be enjoying it as much. Good timing, huh?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the States!
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