“We do not believe we have the answers to the world’s problems, but hope to share our skills and perspectives for the benefit of others. We will also learn a great deal from the people we encounter and gain new perspective on life,” Tyler said.
Jessi and Tyler LeClear Vachta will depart for Burkina Faso to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers on June 8
Couple looks forward to educating youth in West Africa
By Staff reports
Cresco Times-Plain Dealer
Tue May 12, 2009, 11:51 AM CDT
Cresco, Iowa -
Caption: Tyler and Jessi LeClear Vachta, of Cresco, will depart for the West African country of Burkina Faso in June, where they will serve two years in the Peace Corps.
For one young local couple, the next two years will be ripe with new experiences, the chance to become immersed in a different culture and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in an African community.
Jessi and Tyler LeClear Vachta, ages 22 and 23, are looking forward to all these opportunities and more when they leave for a two-year term of service in the Peace Corps. The couple, who currently lives in Cresco, will depart for Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa, on June 8.
Jessi will work with Girls Education and Empowerment programs and Tyler will teach secondary math. Jessi’s work will include meeting with students, parents and local leaders to increase girls’ enrollment and retention in school. She will also develop and facilitate girls’ clubs and tutoring options to support the girls in their education. Tyler will teach junior high or high school math in a classroom setting to classes of 50-100 eager students at a time. Like all Peace Corps volunteers in Africa, Tyler and Jessi will also be working with HIV/AIDS education in their community, in additon to other secondary projects.
Tyler, a 2004 Crestwood High School graduate, is the son of Tom and Mary Ellen Vachta. Jessi and Tyler both graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly last May with Jessi receiving degrees in Spanish and religion and Tyler receiving degrees in math and math education.
The couple met at Wartburg during orientation and were married at Wartburg last June. Through Wartburg, they traveled to Turkey, Greece and the Dominican Republic together, with Jessi also studying for a semester in Spain and a month in Mexico. The couple also spent a semester in Denver, Colo. with the Wartburg West program. This is where Tyler completed his student teaching, at East High School, and Jessi interned with the community organizing group Metro Organizations for People. They both enjoy travel, film, and the great outdoors.
While they have always felt a calling to serve others, the couple’s strongest motivation for joining the Peace Corps arose during their coursework in the Dominican Republic.
“We were touched by the kindness, generosity and incredible potential possessed by these people that earned pennies per hour for work and endured constant struggle with few hopes of actually getting ahead,” Tyler said.
One little boy in particular touched their hearts. The couple said 9-year-old Boga had an “incredible amount of energy and resilience” despite the poor conditions he was living in. They realized they could learn from him as well as giving back to the community.
Jessi has known she wanted to join the Peace Corps since she was a student at Wartburg. She chose Wartburg in part because of the college’s study abroad program, knowing she enjoyed traveling.
“It’s something that has been a passion of mine ever since I can remember,” Jessi said. “Our travel experience in college set it in stone that this was something that we need to do.”
The couple is looking forward to becoming immersed in the culture of the people of Burkina Faso, and working with the community members.
“We do not believe we have the answers to the world’s problems, but hope to share our skills and perspectives for the benefit of others. We will also learn a great deal from the people we encounter and gain new perspective on life,” Tyler said.
Both are in the process of learning French, Burkina Faso’s national language, and will likely be learning a local language during their training. They had no previous French language background.
“Learning a language in two months is pretty intense,” Tyler said.
The couple is appreciative of the support they have received from family and friends of their decision to join the Peace Corps. They say one of their biggest challenges will be spending two years away from family and friends. Peace Corps members are not allowed to return home during their service except in the case of an emergency.
“We are very grateful for our family’s and friends’ excitement, encouragement and aid in preparing for our journey,” Tyler said.
Both of the LeClear Vachtas currently work at Masonry Technology Inc. (MTI) in Cresco. Jessi works in the office on administrative and marketing tasks and Tyler works with electronic marketing and communications. After serving in the Peace Corps Tyler intends to teach junior high and high school math, while Jessi hopes to work as a community organizer.
“We know our time in Burkina Faso will impact the rest of our lives in profound ways. We look forward to the experience with openness to whatever it may be,” Tyler said.
A farewell open house will be held at Kessel Lodge from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, May 25. Friends and family are invited to stop by.
