Skip to main content

Life as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa: The Three Goals

The official mission of Peace Corps is to “promote world peace and friendship.” Call me an idealist, but I love this. I love that this is my job.

A little more concrete, and more often referred to, are the Three Goals. They are a big deal to our bosses in both Uganda and DC, as you can see by their proper noun status. Everything we do in country is supposed to fall under one of these three statements.

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.

Education. Health outreaches. Youth empowerment. Reproductive health workshops. Literacy. These are my day-to-day activities, and all of this is considered Goal 1. We treat our projects not just as a way of transferring information, but as a way of “capacity building,” or equipping locals with skills that will eventually create personal and national independence.

2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.

I accomplish Goal 2 by simply living in my community, giving visibility to my identity as an American, and talking about it. Easy, right? Getting my host family hooked on PB&Js, showing my students how to play frisbee, chatting with my co-workers about the customs of Halloween and Thanksgiving… all of that goes here.

I am the first American that most people in my village have ever seen, let alone have had a relationship with. Every conversation is important because everything I do or say, or don’t do or don’t say, is interpreted as This is What All Americans Are Like. We just don’t come around these parts enough for that not to be the case.

3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

As the complement to Goal 2, they also want to see us telling people at home about our experiences here. It’s a way to bring the world a little closer together. Not everyone can live abroad for 2+ years, but everyone should understand as much as they can about their fellow Earthlings.

Ways I accomplish this: calling or emailing friends, sending local dried pineapple to my brother, guiding my Dad around Uganda during his visit, and writing to an elementary school class of pen pals.

This column is another example of Goal 3; by reading it, you are helping us achieve our mission. Thanks for that!

Questions and comments welcome at [email protected].

peace corp Reader's Corner

 

 

Upcoming Events Near You
The Tick Tackler Tutor: Three Impactful Tick Remediation Strategies for the Homeowner

By Jennifer Meisenbacher

Did you know most tick bites occur in and around the home—and that ticks spend more than 95% of their life off a host?

With more than 19 years of field experience, Tick Tackler offers a practical, easy-to-follow approach that empowers homeowners to significantly reduce tick activity on their properties. From gardening and yard work to children’s play areas, this guide outlines essential adjustments to help protect your outdoor spaces from ticks.

The Tick Tackler Tutor introduces three impactful strategies designed to identify high-risk areas and minimize exposure. These methods are versatile and adaptable—whether you’re a homeowner, pet owner, beekeeper, or managing a larger property such as a doggy daycare or horse farm.

Inside, readers will discover how education leads to confidence, how small changes can yield visible results, and how breaking tick control into manageable steps restores a sense of control. The book simplifies complex concepts into three core strategies, guiding readers in creating a personalized plan to reduce tick activity effectively.

For those eager to reclaim their yards but unsure where to begin, this guide delivers clear, actionable solutions. Transform your outdoor environment into a safer, more enjoyable space for family, pets, and everyday living.

Available now on Amazon.

Follow Us On Facebook