2007.12.31: December 31, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tanzania: NBC17: Emma Jones serves as a Peace corps Volunteer in Tanzania
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2007.12.31: December 31, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tanzania: NBC17: Emma Jones serves as a Peace corps Volunteer in Tanzania
Emma Jones serves as a Peace corps Volunteer in Tanzania
After graduating college in 2006, Jones knew she wanted to help people overseas. She decided to join the Peace Corps and headed to Africa to teach middle school students about the virus that infects roughly 7 percent of Tanzania’s population. “They ask so many questions because they don’t learn about sex or anything in school," she said. "They can’t talk to their parents, and being able to answer questions is amazing." When she isn’t working in classrooms that are often filled with more than 150 students each, she is spending time with local families to learn about their language, their beliefs and ways they celebrate the holidays. “Over there Christmas is like any other day," Jones said. "It’s not so materialistic. They go to church and spend time with their family."
Emma Jones serves as a Peace corps Volunteer in Tanzania
Peace Corps Worker Returns Home For Holidays
Monday, Dec 31, 2007 - 08:13 PM By Stephanie Baker
CARY, N.C.— In the country of Tanzania, roughly 140,000 people lose their lives to AIDS every year. According to UNICEF, the disease has also left more than 1 million children orphaned and kills 99 out of every 1,000 babies before their first birthday.
But UNICEF says more young people are learning about HIV and AIDS every year. They’re also taking steps to prevent it due, in part, to the education they’re getting from volunteers like Emma Jones.
“I’m so glad I’m in Tanzania," says Jones, who returned home to Cary for the holidays. "It’s a perfect fit. It just feels like that’s where I’m supposed to be."
After graduating college in 2006, Jones knew she wanted to help people overseas. She decided to join the Peace Corps and headed to Africa to teach middle school students about the virus that infects roughly 7 percent of Tanzania’s population.
“They ask so many questions because they don’t learn about sex or anything in school," she said. "They can’t talk to their parents, and being able to answer questions is amazing."
When she isn’t working in classrooms that are often filled with more than 150 students each, she is spending time with local families to learn about their language, their beliefs and ways they celebrate the holidays.
“Over there Christmas is like any other day," Jones said. "It’s not so materialistic. They go to church and spend time with their family."
After a year and a half, Jones decided to take the 24-hour plane ride to be with her family. She says spending time with loved ones reminds her of the reason she left her comfortable life in Cary behind for a small house halfway around the world.
"It feels like home,” she said. “It’s completely different…dusty and desolate."
Jones adds she can’t wait to get back to help more young people live past their 44th birthday. That is the average life expectancy in Tanzania because of HIV and AIDS, according to the organization U.S. Aid from the American People.
Jones says this new year brings new opportunities.
“To help, it’s what I wanna do,” she said. “To be able to provide people with the education they need. I feel like it’s a calling.”
Jones is heading back to Tanzania for about eight months. She tentatively plans to get a graduate degree in social work when she returns to the U.S.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: December, 2007; Peace Corps Tanzania; Directory of Tanzania RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Tanzania RPCVs
When this story was posted in December 2008, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez. |
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Story Source: NBC17
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