Author Archives: Heidi

They tell us from the beginning that the hardest part of Peace Corps service is leaving, and I can now confirm that this is indeed true. Both ways. Leaving America to spend two years far away from everything I knew … Continue reading →

Dear America, This one’s for you. * * * * “Happy Independence Day!” I announce, throwing open my front door. The random kids who’ve been playing noisily on my porch all morning stare at me blankly then ask for sugar … Continue reading →

“Attends,” Angelle says. Wait. Her French is limited, but she knows this word. And she uses it a lot. She drags a plastic chair out of the house and plunks it down in the middle of the concession for me. … Continue reading →

This post is just to let you all know where I am at with various projects. Here we go… The Chickens: Remember when I started this project? The chicks are almost six months old now! They’ve been doing pretty well. The vet … Continue reading →

This is it! My 27 months of Peace Corps service in Benin, West Africa will be coming to a close in August or September of this year. It’s been quite a ride, and I can’t thank my friends and family … Continue reading →

The mayor has shut down the health center in my village. Electricity has been getting cut for weeks at a time in my region. And teachers all over Benin have been on strike so frequently that the government may decide … Continue reading →

Over the past 20 months, I’ve been sent several boxes of books from home – French English dictionaries and English picture books for my English club students. I never imagined how much love and use these books would see! But … Continue reading →

I never wanted to come to Benin. Of all the countries in which peace corps operates in francophone sub-Saharan Africa, Benin would have been my last choice. But it wasn’t my choice to make – only to accept or decline. … Continue reading →