Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Gamal Dillard can be contacted at gamaldayahoodcom
Country of Service: Ecuador
Training Group: Omnibus 80
Cities you served in: Chone; Esmeraldas
Arrival Year: 1998
Departure Year: 2001
Work Description: Urban Youth Development
Other Countries you served in, Training Group Name Arrival Year, Departure Year, Work
Description:
I was privileged to work in the Ecuadorian Coasts with neighborhood youth
Groups emphasizing reading. My counterpart and I put together a
neighborhood Soup Kitchen. Geez, I felt so appreciated there!
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
I got back last June, came to NY as a PC recruiter the day before 9/11. Lost
my office but kept my sanity. I want to do everything: act, teach, be on
Sesame Street, have kids, travel, dance, pay off the rest of my student
loans, go to Brazil, etc.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
Those three years in Ecuador taught me so much, so much that I am still
trying to bring it all together. I learned to see how others see us. I also
learned patience and what true friendship is. To tell the truth, I also learned
that though having money doesn't guarantee you happiness, being
destitute and fighting for your physical survival can cause us to do things
we normally wouldn't do. Last thing: I really love the Peace Corps Nurses!!
They really took care of me!!
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
I still keep in contact with my friends. Anyone who wants to talk is welcome
to contact me. Even if I never met you, You may contact me or stop by the
new Peace Corps office in West Village, Manhattan.
Any message for returned volunteers?:
What a journey, and let's not forget what we learned overseas.
Unfortunately too many of us come back and act as if we never learned
anything while in the Peace Corps--never forget the Third Goal! What good
is to learn how to successfully communicate with host country nationals ,
yet be totally inept at communicating with our own neighbors and
co-workers here?
Originally posted: June 16, 2002
