2011.03.30: March 30, 2011: Jenny Deeds was an agriculture education teacher at a regional technical school in Abong-Mbang in Cameroon
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2011.03.30: March 30, 2011: Jenny Deeds was an agriculture education teacher at a regional technical school in Abong-Mbang in Cameroon
Jenny Deeds was an agriculture education teacher at a regional technical school in Abong-Mbang in Cameroon
While amenities at home were abundant, she said those in her communities lived in huts with dirt floors. Her community did have running water and electricity, but there were no paved roads and for most of her service absolutely no television in the entire country. "It helped me realize you don't need all that stuff that you get accustomed to living in the U.S.," Deeds said. "One of the things I enjoyed so much was actually sitting down and visiting with people. Because there aren't so many distractions like television, people stayed in touch with those around them. It helped me redefine what was really important in life."
Jenny Deeds was an agriculture education teacher at a regional technical school in Abong-Mbang in Cameroon
Locals fondly recall Peace Corps service on agency's anniversary
Work life-changing for volunteers
By Abbey Doyle The Herald Bulletin
Wed Mar 30, 2011, 08:57 PM EDT
ANDERSON, Ind. - More than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 countries in the past 50 years. President John F. Kennedy officially created Peace Corps in March 1961 with an executive order with the first group of 51 volunteers leaving to serve as teachers in Ghana that August.
Throughout those years, dozens if not hundreds of volunteers have come from Madison County including these four Anderson residents.
Here is just a sampling of their experiences and a reflection on what their service meant to them in their own words.
[Excerpt]
Jenny Deeds
Cameroon, 1983 to 1986
As an agriculture education and horticulture student at Purdue University, Jenny Deeds heard about the Peace Corps often. After hearing the organization's mission just a few times, she knew it was what she was meant to do.
"I knew this is what I needed to do," Deeds said. "I had been very fortunate to be born in the United States and always had the opportunities I was raised with as a U.S. citizen. I wanted to give something back."
What she gave back was three years of service in Cameroon. Her first year she was an agriculture education teacher at a regional technical school in Abong-Mbang. She taught those who would become extension agents in the area. The next two years she worked in the capital of Yaounde as a volunteer leader in the Agriculture Ministry. She helped create a training manual for teachers in Cameroon that gave them practical, hands-on lessons and helped create programs for future Peace Corps volunteers.
"It was a very good, eye-opening experience," Deeds said. "I already knew we were blessed here in the U.S., but going out and seeing how much we take advantage was an amazing experience."
While amenities at home were abundant, she said those in her communities lived in huts with dirt floors. Her community did have running water and electricity, but there were no paved roads and for most of her service absolutely no television in the entire country.
"It helped me realize you don't need all that stuff that you get accustomed to living in the U.S.," Deeds said. "One of the things I enjoyed so much was actually sitting down and visiting with people. Because there aren't so many distractions like television, people stayed in touch with those around them. It helped me redefine what was really important in life."
Looking back on her service, she recognizes the effect it had on her and those who were touched by her and other Peace Corps volunteers. She extended her service by a year and then worked for a nonprofit both overseas and in the U.S. through 1998.
"It still affects me," Deeds said. "My experiences even affect the way I live today. I don't have all the material things. Thinking back, it makes me reflect on what I really do need."
Like most returned volunteers, she said she would encourage anyone interested in taking part in the Peace Corps.
"It is a worthwhile experience and organization," Deeds said. "When I retire I definitely want to get back to international work."
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: March, 2011; Peace Corps Cameroon; Directory of Cameroon RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Cameroon RPCVs; Marriage
When this story was posted in October 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
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Story Source: Herald Bulletin
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Cameroon
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