Frequent marriage proposals, white water rafting down the Nile, teaching biology to students in a language they barely understand -- those are just a few of the things Becky Goetz experienced as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania over the last 10 months



When she arrived in Tanga, a green mountainous region of farms and small villages, it didn't take long for the surprises to start. Men, many complete strangers, began proposing to her out of the blue. "I was bombarded with marriage proposals when I got to the village," she said, laughing. She explained that Tanzanians generally see Westerners as rich, and believe marrying one will lead to a life of luxury. One man, whose shop Goetz frequented, even gave her a written proposal explaining his past and his intentions. "I bought a ring and began telling them I have fiancée," she said, laughing this time about her fictional beloved. It's helped stave off many suitors, she said.

Frequent marriage proposals, white water rafting down the Nile, teaching biology to students in a language they barely understand -- those are just a few of the things Becky Goetz experienced as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania over the last 10 months

Hunterdon woman teaches -- and learns -- with Peace Corps in Africa

Thursday, August 03, 2006

By Christopher Ruvo

Frequent marriage proposals, white water rafting down the Nile, teaching biology to students in a language they barely understand -- those are just a few of the things Becky Goetz experienced as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa over the last 10 months.

Goetz, a 2001 graduate of Hunterdon Central High School, returned stateside for two weeks recently and took some time to talk about her experiences in Bumbuli, a village in the Tanga region of Tanzania, an impoverished country in eastern Africa.

After graduating from Elon University with a degree in medical technology, Goetz joined the Peace Corps, something she'd wanted to do since finishing high school.

"I knew I wanted to travel, but I didn't want to do it as a tourist," she said. "I wanted to be part of a different place and its culture. The Peace Corps offers that -- and, of course, the opportunity to help people."

She's been doing that, and plans to do more upon her return to Africa to complete a 27-month assignment.

When she arrived in Tanga, a green mountainous region of farms and small villages, it didn't take long for the surprises to start. Men, many complete strangers, began proposing to her out of the blue.

"I was bombarded with marriage proposals when I got to the village," she said, laughing. She explained that Tanzanians generally see Westerners as rich, and believe marrying one will lead to a life of luxury. One man, whose shop Goetz frequented, even gave her a written proposal explaining his past and his intentions.

"I bought a ring and began telling them I have fiancée," she said, laughing this time about her fictional beloved. It's helped stave off many suitors, she said.

Before beginning her job teaching high school biology, Goetz took an intensive month-long course in the Swahili language and lived with a Tanzanian family. That completed, she moved into a house that, unlike many, has running water and electricity. Both work inconsistently.

Soon she was in the classroom, and facing a big challenge. The rule was that she was to teach in English, which the students were supposed to have learned in primary school. The reality? Many could barely understand even the most rudimentary phrases. She tried peppering Swahili in here and there, but even that didn't guarantee comprehension, since some students speak obscure local dialects.

But she persevered. "I experimented with teaching methods," she said. "I found they liked it if I did something goofy -- like making a student act like a tree to try to illustrate something. Then they'd all be paying attention."

Having students make presentations on lessons also encouraged interest, compelling classmates to chime in with questions since peers were doing the talking, she said.

Goetz hopes she's conveyed some life lessons too. "I don't know if they'll learn biology from me, but I hope they'll learn that they can do other things They don't have to settle for working on the farm their whole lives if they're willing to work for something else."

During a short break, Goetz went on a thrilling whitewater rafting trip down the Nile River with other Peace Corps volunteers. "It's not like going down the Delaware," she said. While she had a great time, the raft flipped on a class five rapid, the most dangerous rapid a tour company will tackle. "You feel like you're underwater for hours," she said. "I eventually came up about 200 yards down river."

When Goetz gets back to Bumbuli, she plans to run an AIDS awareness day, particularly important in a village where 58 percent of the population has HIV or AIDS. A doctor will speak, informational brochures that Goetz will create will be handed out, and skits, songs and poems will be performed by locals for entertainment. She also plans to work with a women's group, teaching them batik, which uses wax to dye fabrics. The skill could earn the women money.

When she finishes her stint in Africa, Goetz expects to work in a laboratory. Regardless of where life leads, she said she'll always carry many memories of Africa. Perhaps most vivid will be those of the people whose lives and land she became a part of for a time.

"It's been an amazing experience," she said. "I could talk about it forever."

When this story was posted in August 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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