Benjamin C. Hatch is a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali



Hatch joined the Corps because of his love for service and his desire to make the world a better place. He previously volunteered in New Orleans in January 2007, and from this experience became interested in the Peace Corps. He departed for Mali on July 15. Since his arrival, Hatch has begun his training, including living with a host family in order to acquire the language and cultural skills necessary to assist his community. Hatch will be officially sworn-in as a Peace Corps volunteer in October.

Benjamin C. Hatch is a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali

York resident joins Peace Corps in Mali

Hatch to work as health education specialist

August 22, 2007 6:00 AM

YORK — Benjamin C. Hatch, 23, the son of Charles and Lynn Hatch of York, has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will soon be graduating from his training.

Hatch joined the Corps because of his love for service and his desire to make the world a better place. He previously volunteered in New Orleans in January 2007, and from this experience became interested in the Peace Corps.

He departed for Mali on July 15. Since his arrival, Hatch has begun his training, including living with a host family in order to acquire the language and cultural skills necessary to assist his community. Hatch will be officially sworn-in as a Peace Corps volunteer in October.

Upon reporting to his station, Hatch will become a health education specialist volunteer. His work will involve promoting pre-and post-natal consultation, HIV/AIDS and STI awareness, and vaccination campaigns. Hatch will serve for two years in Mali, living in a similar manner to the local community.

A graduate of York High School, he attended New York University, where he earned a degree in history, graduating in 2006. Hatch previously worked as a lifeguard at York Beach.

He joins the 81 Maine residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 1,610 Maine residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

Currently, 141 Peace Corps volunteers are working within Mali to confront imminent food shortages because of a rapidly growing population and frequent droughts. Volunteers strive to improve domestic food production, as well as find solutions to difficulties in water availability, environmental conservation and micro-enterprise development. Volunteers are also providing education on preventative health care and HIV/AIDS awareness. More than 2,100 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Mali since the start of its program in 1971.

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Headlines: August, 2007; Peace Corps Mali; Directory of Mali RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Mali RPCVs; New Hampshire