1997: Cindy Smith served in Ecuador in Dogola, La Y, Mono, Luz de America; Quito beginning in 1997



Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Cindy Smith can be contacted at csecuadorahotmaildcom

Country of Service: Ecuador

Training Group: Omnibus 77

Cities you served in: Dogola, La Y, Mono, Luz de America; Quito

Arrival Year: 1997

Departure Year: 2000

Work Description:

I was assigned to a biological station in one of the last remnant coastal forest in Ecuador. I was part of a community extension team working to provide rural villagers with enhanced options for income generation, sustainable forest products, health education, and agriforestry.

Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:

I work as a biologist for a wetland restoration project.

Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:

Peace Corps was a wonderful opportunity to experience other cultures not as a tourist, but as a member of a community. It gave me real insight into the socio economic reasons behind environmental policies in Ecuador and Latin America. There were difficult times and times of intrigue and satisfaction - all of which I would experience all over again.

Any message for returned volunteers?:

Enjoy the sureality of having so many choices back in the states, and so much opportunity to do anything. Try not to let go of the images in your head and heart.

Originally posted: March 30, 2006

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