Over the course of my middle, high school and college careers, I cleaned offices and worked in restaurants, a granola factory and a cute, local tea shop. I did the Disney College Program as a character performer and was a total theater nerd. I studied journalism and public relations (PR) in college and found work in marketing soon after I graduated, but then pivoted to event management. I then worked with an International non-governmental organization (NGO) before returning to work in public relations and marketing. In my spare time, I’m a big reader and even did a stint as an audiobook reader for Audible. I volunteered with refugee organizations for a few years in various capacities before I decided to take this big leap to move to Africa to pursue a new career. But, I didn’t come alone! My husband Matthew, or Usumon Balde as he is named here, came with me and is working with the local mayor’s office to improve the capacity of small businesses.
My official job title now is Health-Extension Volunteer. This Means that I am working to extend the reach of healthcare outside of the walls of the local health post, which is like a small health clinic. For me, this means organizing meetings for pregnant and nursing mothers to talk about best practices for the health of their babies and themselves. I’m also working with the local schools to facilitate health clubs where I partner with educators to address basic healthy living concepts.
Some days here can be overwhelming. I’ll do a health talk in a nearby village with my work partner in the morning, and then I’ll come home to meet thirty new people who work with my host dad.
