Making a difference in our world and being a part of something greater than you are the aspirations behind the thousands of Peace Corps volunteers and one UW student Mariah Strike. Strike will depart for Togo, Africa in June.
Strike grew up in the small town of Pinedale, Wyoming and will graduate from UW with a degree in international studies, environment and natural resources and Spanish this spring.
“With the international studies degree, I’ve always wanted to do something abroad, and I think the Peace Corps is the perfect opportunity,” Strike said.
She is a Wyomingite from the inside out, from her foot tattoo of her hometown Wind River Range to her enthusiasm about being in the outdoors.
“I have always kind of had the Peace Corps at the back of mind and wanted to travel with a purpose,” Strike said. “I think the Peace Corps has a mission statement to not only help people in other developing countries, but also to promote a better image of Americans abroad and of those people in developing countries.”
Strike was intrigued when she found out her placement was in Togo. Her initial thought was, “Where is Togo?” Strike said. “I knew that Togo was somewhere in Africa, other than that I could not place it on a map.”
Togo is located on the south coast of West Africa bordering Ghana to the west, Burkina Faso to the north and Benin to the east.
Making the transition into a new country means trading in the life you once knew for a brand new one. For Strike, this means giving up running water, electricity and her cell phone.
“I am most scared of leaving the people I care about behind. I know I will still be in contact, but it will be very different from the type of contact I have with them now,” Strike said.
Strike said she hopes to gain a new perspective.
“I hope to learn a new language or two new languages (the native language of Togo is French and her placement village will also speak a native language), I hope to meet new people and make great connections,” she said.
Her role in her village will be an environment and food security agent. She will spend two years within her community to promote a more self-sufficient system of food security.
“My goal is to be completely immersed within the culture and not to remain isolated. This means learning the language and the traditions,” Strike said.
Africa as a whole is battling extreme heat waves and drought due to climate change, as reported in the Guardian. As temperatures increase crops are expected to fall by 11 percent, the Guardian said.
“No matter how little it is, I hope I can help my community in some way, in some aspect,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to the people I will meet.” she said. “That’s my favorite part of anywhere I travel. The people you meet, the support system you create and the new family you become a part of, is what shapes your experience.”
Strike leaves for training June 8 and will be placed in her village soon afterwards. She said her family has been very supportive.
“My dad and my brother have more reservations,” Strike explained. “For my dad, it’s like ‘daddy’s little girl running off to Africa,’” she said.
“I’m as ready as I can be,” Strike said.
Volunteers and Peace Corps members pose with flags of various countries that benefit from the Peace Corps program.
