"Initially it was very difficult for me to even think about leaving my family and friends, but I have researched international cell phones, Internet access, letter writing, visitations, and taking a leave once a year to visit home," Severin noted. "Knowing I will have more contact with family and friends than I once thought has put me at ease." "E-mail has been amazing for me," Severin observed. "I am already in contact with a few people in my group of 30-50 volunteers that will be leaving for this adventure with me. We have been talking back and fourth through e-mails trying to help each other as much as we can in order to get ready for Uganda."
Kristy Severin to serve as Peace Corps Volunteer in Uganda
Ashland resident joins the Peace Corps
By DANA A. FITZWATER
She only had one semester left at Virginia Commonwealth University when she applied to the Peace Corps at a family friend's suggestion. By the time she walked across the stage and received her bachelor's degree diploma in art education and art history last May she still hadn't heard back from the Peace Corps.
So, she applied for a position as an art teacher for Hanover County Schools, but she did not get hired. Therefore, she devoted her time and effort to pursuing her desire to join the Peace Corps.
"When I didn't get the job [as an art teacher], it was clear to me that the Peace Corps was going to be the next chapter in my life," Severin said.
Her persistence paid off and she was accepted into the Peace Corps. In fact, she will be departing for a 27-month stay in Uganda on March 2.
The 23-year-old Patrick Henry High School graduate will train and serve as an education volunteer. Severin joins 317 Virginia residents who are currently serving in the Peace Corps.
She reflected, "I feel as though I have lived a privileged life, and I am excited to have the opportunity to share some of my experiences and skills with the people of Uganda who may be somewhat less fortunate," she said.
Severin's service in Uganda as a primary teacher trainer will provide her with many such opportunities. She will focus on school improvement and staff development.
Her duties will include improving the technical skills of primary school teachers, working with school administrators to improve leadership skills and their ability to support their teachers' ongoing professional development, and strengthening home-school-community connections.
In addition, she will also emphasize HIV/AIDS prevention and basic hygiene, and will inform the Ugandan people about America.
When she returns to the United States she intends to share her experiences with Ugandans with Americans. She would also like to work for the Peace Corps.
Currently, she is preparing for her departure.
"I am getting together many things, such as good shoes, rain gear, toiletries, books, stationary, journals, water bottles, battery-free flashlights, and solar charges since there will be no running water and minimal to no electricity where I will be," she said.
Since there is an 80-pound weight limit and a luggage dimension limit of 107", Severin admits it has been difficult to decide what to bring and what to leave behind.
In order to familiarize herself with her destination, she has spent time reading about Uganda via the Internet, Peace Corps' handbooks, and online blogs.
"E-mail has been amazing for me," Severin observed. "I am already in contact with a few people in my group of 30-50 volunteers that will be leaving for this adventure with me. We have been talking back and fourth through e-mails trying to help each other as much as we can in order to get ready for Uganda."
Another part of her preparation was to quit her job of two years as an art assistant at Metal Quilt in Richmond.
She is also preparing to say goodbye to her loved ones.
She will leave behind her mother, Kim, a math tutor and a painter, and her father, Padge, a systems programmer. She will also spend two years away from her three sisters, Carolyn, Anne Kathryn, and Rebecca, ages 19, 25, and 28 respectively.
"They are all 100 percent in support of me joining the Peace Corps," Severin said.
She also pointed out that she will miss her dog, Sebastian, and her two cats, Clause and Willow.
Severin is taking these last few weeks before her departure to spend time with her family and friends. She admitted that she's trying to enjoy every minute of the days leading up to her trip abroad and to lean on people who care about her for support.
"I've been going to lunch with my mother, dinners with my family, and movies with my friends. I'm trying not to take my family and friends for granted," she said.
"Initially it was very difficult for me to even think about leaving my family and friends, but I have researched international cell phones, Internet access, letter writing, visitations, and taking a leave once a year to visit home," Severin noted. "Knowing I will have more contact with family and friends than I once thought has put me at ease."
Severin said while she is away she hopes to accomplish as much as she can.
"The Peace Corps has a wonderful program and I know they will help lead me in the direction I need to go to accomplish what needs to be done in Uganda to further their success as a country."
She is excited to use her teaching skills and to learn from the people of Uganda.
"Independent of the goals and mission of the Peace Corps, I hope to develop lasting relationships with the people I meet, help set and show good examples of America, and to immerse myself in an entirely different and new culture."
