Now almost seven months into her Peace Corps service, Scurria says the most rewarding thing about her work is the knowledge that the people of Uganda want her to be there. "They are genuinely interested and genuinely believe we have something to offer," she says. "I never realized how much I would appreciate my training at Rutgers–Camden with the internship program. Before entering the Peace Corps, Scurria worked in the Crime Prevention Department at the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and helped build a program that encouraged Camden residents to take ownership of their street and their neighborhood and help deter crime by becoming a visible presence in their community. She says her work in Camden prepared her for the Peace Corps because she was able to walk into a community, create relationships, build a sense of trust, assess needs, strengths, and weaknesses, and help design a program that can potentially be sustained long-term. "It was, hands down, the best preparation for this experience," Scurria says. "It made me realize that every day is rewarding."
Kate Scurria, who is currently doing significant service work in Uganda for the Peace Corps
Rutgers-Camden Student Strives to Make Positive Change in Uganda
February 28, 2011
Scurria CAMDEN - Even the smallest accomplishments can lead to profound results.
Those are the words that motivate Rutgers–Camden graduate student Kate Scurria, who is currently doing significant service work in Uganda for the Peace Corps.
"I have stopped looking at a finish line and instead recognize every single day, and every single moment, as an opportunity and as an experience," Scurria says. "I do not think for one moment that I will not take as much, if not more, than I will give in these next two years. And that is the infinite value of this work."
Scurria's two-year Peace Corps deployment is part of Rutgers–Camden's International Public Service and Development (IPSD) concentration. It is one of three master of public administration degree tracks offered by Rutgers–Camden.
A Camden resident and California native, Scurria, 35, received her undergraduate degree in sociology and psychology from the University of Colorado. She arrived in Uganda in August and will continue her service there until October 2012.
As a community health volunteer, Scurria is focused on non-governmental organization development. She is tackling public health issues such as nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and HIV/AIDS care. In addition, she is involved in income generating activities, creating village savings and loan associations, strategic planning, and building a work plan.
To prepare for her Peace Corps deployment, Scurria's training at Rutgers–Camden primarily covered international development issues with a focus on structural management and organizational capacity building.Scurria2
Originally assigned to work with the Anglican Diocese of the Church of Uganda in Masindi, a town of 15,000 people, Scurria is preparing to move to Kasule, a tiny village with a population of just 300. It will be her fifth move since arriving in Uganda due to various housing challenges.
In Kasule, she plans to work with an HIV/AIDS group to help develop programs.
"There is also a maternity ward at the health center and I would like to start a women's social support network, with a focus on mental health for women who have been victimized or mistreated," Scurria explains. "I am also interested in creating a child care group for young, unwed mothers that would free up time for them to work."
Scurria says Masindi and Kasule are strikingly different. Masindi is considered the "breadbasket of Uganda." A cultural hub, the town's markets boast a large selection of fruits and vegetables, furniture, and clothes.
In Kasule, Scurria says, "you can walk from one end of town to the other in about five minutes."
"If I want cooking staples or basic necessities like soap or shampoo, I have to go all the way into Fort Portal, which is a two-hour hour bus ride away," she says. "My best friends in country, whom I could access any time, any day I needed them in a matter of minutes, will now be a seven-hour bus ride away."
Scurria acknowledges that living in Kasule will have its challenges, but she says she feels blessed to have the opportunity to work there.Uganda children
"I feel like being in Kasule will present a much greater opportunity to integrate into my community and into the culture," she says.
Another challenge she says she faces is the expectation that all Peace Corps volunteers have come to Uganda to provide financial assistance.
"It is not uncommon for everyone from the executive director of an organization to a small toddler on the street to ask for money," Scurria says. "Explaining my position as a human capacity-building resource as opposed to a financial one has been difficult and, at times, exhausting."
Recently, Scurria witnessed the re-election of the Uganda's president. On Feb. 20, Yoweri Museveni was re-elected to his fourth term. Scurria says she has spoken to people who had been both opposed and supportive to the president.
"The leading opposition has been very vocal about the country's inability to hold free and fair elections," Scurria says. "On the other extreme, I have talked with some who support Museveni's government and say he has brought safety and security to the country."
Now almost seven months into her Peace Corps service, Scurria says the most rewarding thing about her work is the knowledge that the people of Uganda want her to be there.
"They are genuinely interested and genuinely believe we have something to offer," she says. "I never realized how much I would appreciate my training at Rutgers–Camden with the internship program.
Before entering the Peace Corps, Scurria worked in the Crime Prevention Department at the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and helped build a program that encouraged Camden residents to take ownership of their street and their neighborhood and help deter crime by becoming a visible presence in their community.
She says her work in Camden prepared her for the Peace Corps because she was able to walk into a community, create relationships, build a sense of trust, assess needs, strengths, and weaknesses, and help design a program that can potentially be sustained long-term.
"It was, hands down, the best preparation for this experience," Scurria says. "It made me realize that every day is rewarding.
