September 14, 2005: Headlines: COS - Kenya: Older Volunteers: Journal & Courier: Nancy Blakesley Hannibal, 53, wanted to join the Peace Corps after graduating in 1969 from Central Catholic High School
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September 14, 2005: Headlines: COS - Kenya: Older Volunteers: Journal & Courier: Nancy Blakesley Hannibal, 53, wanted to join the Peace Corps after graduating in 1969 from Central Catholic High School
Nancy Blakesley Hannibal, 53, wanted to join the Peace Corps after graduating in 1969 from Central Catholic High School
Hannibal will leave Sept. 19 for Philadelphia, where she will spend several days getting vaccinations and orientation. Then she will fly to Kenya, where she will train for three months to learn Swahili and the culture. She then will serve for another 24 months.
Nancy Blakesley Hannibal, 53, wanted to join the Peace Corps after graduating in 1969 from Central Catholic High School
Woman realizes delayed dream
By Bob Scott
bscott@journalandcourier.com
Nancy Blakesley Hannibal, 53, wanted to join the Peace Corps after graduating in 1969 from Central Catholic High School.
The West Lafayette woman finally will realize her dream this month when she serves as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya. Hannibal will use her business skills to help budding entrepreneurs.
"The Peace Corps is an opportunity to see another part of the world," she said this week.
"I'm also interested in cross cultural understanding with people around the world, in addition to meeting their needs."
Hannibal will leave Sept. 19 for Philadelphia, where she will spend several days getting vaccinations and orientation. Then she will fly to Kenya, where she will train for three months to learn Swahili and the culture. She then will serve for another 24 months.
"I never thought I would go anywhere after graduating from high school," she said this week. "My sisters got luggage, and I wanted speakers.
"But, I've always had the wanderlust."
Hannibal attended Purdue University and the University of Rome to study fine arts. She eventually worked for retail companies in design and management, including Sharper Image, Abercrombie and Fitch, Ann Taylor, and Tommy Hilfinger. She most recently worked with Finish Line in Indianapolis.
She has taken business trips throughout Europe and much of Asia.
"I've always gravitated to companies that were reinventing themselves or just starting out," she said.
In Kenya, Hannibal will work with small entrepreneurial development, including farming cooperatives.
"I also want to help women's cooperatives, maybe setting up sewing for groups of women to make products they can sell," she said.
"I might work with artists, too. I must be flexible."
A newly single woman, Hannibal said her ex-husband is an African-American.
"There was always a cross-cultural part of my life," she said.
Hannibal's son said he is proud of her. Courtney Hannibal is a Purdue senior majoring in computer graphics technology. He also has studied in Italy, England and Japan.
"It is awesome. I am glad she is finally doing it," he said. "She has always wanted to do it."
He said he is not worried about his mom.
"I have a friend whose mom was in the Peace Corps. I have no fears about her doing this," he said.
"I will try to visit her next summer after I graduate."
His mother said she plans on returning for his graduation.
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Story Source: Journal & Courier
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Kenya; Older Volunteers
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