Yes I'm joining Peace Corps Response in Malawi

Why the F*$K are you going back?

Hopefully this blog post will better answer your question.

“All news out of Africa is bad. It made me want to go there.”
-Opening line of Dark Star Safari

“As cool as your Peace Corps service was, don’t you think it’s time for you to get a real job?”
-A friend that was a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer with me in South Africa giving me career advice.

“Dude, I just lost a lot of respect for you.”
-My cousin telling me this after we were discussing how much money I made a month during Peace Corps, how much money I will make during Peace Corps Response, and how much money I will make while attending graduate school. I simply said to him that sometimes it’s not about the money, and you yourself would do well to remember that.

“Clearly after your Peace Corps service you will have more experience than most others in your field and you may just have more advanced world views that will allow you to be an incredible health professional. But you did your time, paid your dues, and gained the experience you need. Do you think you really need to go back?”
-During a discussion with my friend who already thinks that I have what it takes to be a good public health practitioner.

“So based on what we’ve discussed it seems that you have a real love and passion to be in the field and working on projects on the ground. Do you think you would be able to happily make the transition to a job like this that does require you to be at a computer desk for a lot of the time?”
-Interviewer during a job interview and the exact moment where I realized I was not going to get this job.

“I can tell you right now that anyone who doesn’t think Peace Corps is a real job is a fool. It is the realest job you can ever have and if you want to get ahead in the field that we are in then trust me Peace Corps is the ultimate piece of street cred.”
-During an informational interview with the head of the American Red Cross Africa development program, who happens to be a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.

“Wow that’s awesome. There is something truly amazing about Africa. I visited Lesotho and just visiting there and feeling the warmness of the people, there was simply something magical about it. Awesome that you decided to go back man.”
-My brother’s friend shortly after meeting him and telling him what I do.

“I am so glad that you have decided on this route. I have been a member of government for over 30 years and I have seen development officials and agencies come and go. And I can tell you that during my conversations with them they had no clue what happens on the ground level. The fact that you are willing to go back under such conditions is a true testament to your character and your belief in that you need to experience the problems yourself to truly find solutions. I don’t know other people’s thoughts on you going back but if you are serious about becoming a real international development official I know you are making the right decision.”
-My neighbor after telling him I was joining Peace Corps again.

“Oh my god! Please take me with you!”
-My friend who was a fellow Peace Corps volunteer with me in South Africa after I told her I was joining Peace Corps again.

Yes ladies and gentlemen. It’s official. I’m going back to Africa to the lovely country of Malawi as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer for 9 months to help district health offices strengthen their HIV/AIDS programs. I leave Monday November 14, 2011…. Holy crap that’s 9 days!

Let’s see if you can guess why I would want “to go back”
a. I think it’s weird that there is so much access to absurd amounts of food.
b. I think that constant questions like “Does everyone in Africa walk around with spears?” Are extremely silly. (They don’t by the way. I think that in a lot of African countries walking around with a weapon is illegal, I could be wrong though because there are a few dudes that walk around with spears, but not everyone.)
c. I get tired of having conversations with people about development in Africa that mistakenly claim their cynicism is wisdom and who’s only experience in developing countries is reading a BBC article about people in Africa dying. (You should be pointing out how big of an arrogant/elitist asshole I am at this point, but in my defense, that guy was a jerk.)
d. I miss being called “China” all the time and it being a reason that I’m accused by police of human trafficking simply because of my race (This was a long and/or hilarious situation)
e. I actually almost kind of miss almost dying all the time. (almost)
f. I enjoy the automatic sense of community I feel even though I’m an outsider.
g. I really and truly see the difference that can be made by dedicating time and effort in developing the skills of people on the ground and developing health programs by working through the daily challenges that such programs face.
h. All of the above

If you guessed answer….. Come on now there really is only one answer.

I’ve been feeling strange for some time. Not drinking a case of natty light then topping it off with a few four lokos strange, but more like the feeling you get when you go to chipotle and order the double meat and decided on getting the 3 for $3.33 taquitos deal at 7-11 afterward strange. After the euphoria of seeing family and friends I ultimately had to begin the job search. During the progression of each interview and as they asked me questions about my Peace Corps service I got more and more nostalgic about my service and I knew during each interview that at this point of my life, a point in which the foundation of my professional career will be formed, I had to go back into the field. It’s in my blood. It’s where I belong.

Now I think you’re all thinking yeah well of course your work will benefit the people you work with (But will it really? A question that we will discuss in the future.) but how is this going to benefit you (in this case if you are asking then that would be me)? This experience will help me develop my skills as public health practitioner, further give me experience in certain situations that I may face later in a higher role, and this will help me frame my education more effectively while at the same time help me evolve my world views, see the world with my own eyes, and further understand the challenges that people face on a daily basis. I’m convinced that this is the best course of action for me at this time (No I’m not doing this because I couldn’t find a “real job”). I’m doing this because I truly want to.

As for the job itself, I have been labeled as a “HIV/AIDS Techincal Adviser” and while they sent us a 6 page job description of what we will be doing and what our goals are, I still have no idea what this entails. I have no idea where I will be living, and I have no idea what my living situation will be like. Come on this is still Peace Corps people. I won’t have any idea what’s happening till I get there. Hopefully I will get to research the social determinants of HIV and the difficulties in access to HIV services and be given the freedom and autonomy to do so, but I guess we’ll see in time.

To all my friends and family, thanks for a great few months since I’ve been back. You will be missed, but it’s time to get back into it.