In this interview, we hear from Evan. Evan is working as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador. What Evan shares gives us a better understanding of the work volunteers do. We learn about the challenges, rewards, and personal growth that happens from volunteering in a new place. Evan talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Evan’s journey and see how volunteering with Peace Corps can change lives.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises and Challenges
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you tell us more about serving as a volunteer in El Salvador?
I truly love living here. The culture, the food, the nature, and climate – all of it makes it incredibly easy and enjoyable to live in the Salvadoran countryside. I am involved in quite a few projects right now, many of which are based in my community. We have a weekly youth group, English classes, piano lessons, guitar lessons, and I also help out at the school teaching English and physical education. I spend at least one or two days a week collaborating with local NGOs and the local government on larger-scale projects.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose El Salvador?
Honestly, I’ve always been driven by a desire to make a real difference in the world, and I’ve always been captivated by El Salvador’s history and culture. It’s a place with such a unique blend of traditions and a real need for support for youth. I wanted to be part of something that could have a tangible impact, and I felt like El Salvador offered a particularly compelling opportunity to do just that, especially with the Peace Corps’ focus on community development.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation
I live in a small town of 132 people on the edge of a large lake. Our area is incredibly rural, and the vast majority of working adults in the community are farmers or construction workers. I have a room in a house with a family of four: two grandparents, my host mom, and my younger host brother, who is 13. They are such a lovely and warm group of people and accepted me like a long-lost son. We go on trips, do jigsaw puzzles, and play soccer together. I couldn’t have asked for a better match. I’m also vegan, and my host mother is an amazing cook, especially with vegan food!
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had?
Just the other day, the electricity was cut in the afternoon due to a big storm, and we were using candles for the rest of the night. About an hour in, my host brother came up to me to ask to borrow my portable battery. In Spanish, he asked to use my “batería” but I heard “lotería”, a bingo-style game common in Latin America. I went to fetch the bingo game and gave it to him triumphantly, only to be met with roaring laughter, not just from him but from the family. Instead of charging his phone like he intended, we all ended up playing bingo for almost 2 hours.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about challenges in El Salvador?
I would say the very recent violent history of the country has made integrating into the community slightly harder than expected. For context, I also served as a two-year volunteer in Senegal just before coming to El Salvador. My ability to seamlessly jump into community engagements in Senegal was met with more hesitation here in El Salvador because they recently had a civil war and decades of gang violence. It’s a complex place, and it’s fascinating to see how they navigate it, but the more you get to know people, the more you understand the recent history and how that informs people’s day-to-day lives.
6. What challenges did you face while working on projects?
Across the board, whether in the United States, Senegal, El Salvador, or wherever, there is usually a fight for parent engagement. Time and again, I’ve seen parents struggle to find the motivation or energy to support their kids, oftentimes to no fault of their own. Many adults have demanding work and home lives, and it can be difficult to find time for their kids’ development. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, it is difficult not only to enthuse parents to support extracurriculars like piano lessons and poetry readings, but also to do so as someone who isn’t also a parent. These conversations are usually done by other members of the community, but it is always a tough subject.
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
One of my favorite side projects is our movie club. I was able to procure a good number of kids’ movies in both French and Spanish and have been able to show weekly movies to neighborhood kids over the last three years (in both Senegal and El Salvador). With just a simple projector, white sheet, and computer, we have hours of magical fun with Remy from Ratatouille or Moana. I love watching the kids play after the movie ends and reenact their favorite parts of the movie.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as a volunteer in El Salvador?
Don’t wait! Peace Corps gives you so much more than job experience, and it would be a shame not to allow yourself the opportunity to embark on a rewarding journey.
9. How has the Peace Corps training helped you during your service?
The staff are here for YOU and are always open to questions or feedback. Take advantage of their support and care!
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future El Salvador volunteers?
I would recommend a good pair of sunglasses, headphones, a solid metal water bottle, and a sun hat.
11. How has learning the language been?
Any language learning you do before getting to your country is worthwhile, but don’t worry about it too much. Being curious is the best trick for fast learning. Every time you have a question, ask it. When you learn something new, write it down. Be a diligent student and you’ll have no problem.
Final Thoughts
12. Any last comments or observations you’d like to pass on to future El Salvador volunteers?
Be the change!
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Evan’s, apply to the Peace Corps today. Expand your horizons, push your limits, and create positive impact as a volunteer. You never know how serving as a Peace Corps volunteer could change your life.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or El Salvador Government.
