An interview with Campbell Martin
Get an unfiltered view of Peace Corps service through this straightforward interview with Campbell Martin, a passionate Education volunteer in The Gambia. Driven by the goal to create positive impact, Campbell shows the realities of volunteering in a faraway place. From profound interactions with community members to practical tips for future volunteers, Campbell gives us raw insight into the tests and triumphs of their experience. We learn how Campbell has adapted to cultural surprises, overcome challenges, and started community initiatives. Most of all, Campbell shares an inspiring account of personal evolution through immersive service. Join us as we uncover the essence of the volunteer journey and see how Peace Corps changes lives on both ends.
Table of Contents
- An interview with Campbell Martin
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises, Challenges, and Personal Growth
- Community Projects and Interactions
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
- Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you tell us more about serving as a Education volunteer in The Gambia?
Being an Education volunteer in The Gambia is an incredible experience because of how flexible the work is. Life here moves slowly and the people are friendly. As a result, they’re open to whatever kinds of projects or initiatives you want to start. Importantly, we’re not teachers, we’re teacher trainers. We don’t have our own classes and get to operate school-wide. Teachers here often resort to the “chalk and talk” method. They’ll write long passages on the board and recite them for the students to repeat back at them. Our goal as Education Volunteers is to help them create more interactive and effective teaching strategies.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose The Gambia?
I’ve always wanted to be a foreign service officer and Peace Corps seemed like a great way to learn what service really meant and to get “into the field” to do that work. When applying, I said I’d go anywhere and do anything. Once I learned I was going to The Gambia, I was excited to explore a country that I didn’t know anything about.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Can you tell us about your host family and living in their household?
Yes, I am living with a host family. We have my host mother, her son (who is in his 30’s), his wife, their 3 children, and a cousin who is in his early 20’s. But the way Gambian culture works here is that there is always a rotating cast of family members who stay with us from anywhere between a few days to a few months.
My host family is wonderful, they’re easygoing, even when I lapse back into my American personality or cultural habits. As I’m writing this, I’m in my hut in the middle of the day, which is unheard of among Gambians, who only go inside to sleep. But I have been intentional about telling them that part of my job is writing on my computer.
The language barrier can also be a struggle, only 2 people in my village speak English. But as a result of being forced to speak the native language, my Pulaar has improved a lot.
Surprises, Challenges, and Personal Growth
4. What has surprised you most about The Gambia?
The thing that surprised me the most about Gambian culture was the greetings. You must greet people at least 3 times every time you see them: “How is the morning? How is work? How are the children?” Even if you are just passing by, you are expected to greet every single person that way. I still find it exhausting sometimes, especially if I am in a high-foot-traffic area. But integration is a big part of service and so I’m learning to adapt. Plus, I have found ways to keep things interesting. I will offer silly greetings or wordplay, which the villagers find amusing.
5. What challenges did you face while working in The Gambia?
One thing that comes up often is the assumptions people make about me because of what I look like. Whenever I am in a new village, people will ask me to take them or their children to America. Kids will pass by demanding a soccer ball, candy, or money. But Gambians are friendly people and love talking to strangers, so if you explain it to them, they will usually set aside those remarks.
6. How have you grown as a volunteer?
I have grown a lot since coming here! I have learned how capable I am. And I considered myself a resilient person before serving in the Peace Corps, but I know that after the Peace Corps, I can get through any problem or discomfort. It’s things I never imagined I would deal with here, such as eating only rice for 3 meals a day for weeks on end or having to ride my bike 8 kilometers to the nearest hospital for treatment after 20 days of fasting for Ramadan. You simply cannot anticipate everything you’ll encounter here and you have to learn to get through it.
Community Projects and Interactions
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved in?
One of the first secondary projects I got involved with was building a school fence to stop these massive charcoal-toting trucks from driving through our school. It was nothing fancy, just sticks from the Bush, but students, parents, and teachers came together because they all recognized this was a big problem. I am also making videos with my counterpart to teach other teachers how to digitize their administrative work and save time. Lastly, I also have a YouTube channel where I make videos about my experience as a PCV in Gambia.
8. Can you tell us about any memorable experiences?
A few months back, we had a training and we invited Gambian counterparts. To continue an initiative that another volunteer started, I spearheaded “Men’s Day” where the men would do the dishes for all 3 meals. This might not sound like a big deal, but gender roles are quite rigid here.
Some men were supportive, but one was really giving me a hard time, saying that I don’t respect their culture. A Gambian Peace Corps staff member came to my aid and helped explain why this was important. It was such a powerful moment for me. She did not have to get up to help, but the fact that she did helped show me that I was not alone in my advocacy.
Advice and Support
9. What advice would you give to someone considering joining as an Education volunteer in The Gambia?
If you’re thinking about being an Education PCV in The Gambia, you should reflect on how you handle repetition. Repetition comes in the form of food (eating the same thing every day), getting accosted by strangers, language learning frustrations, insects, etc. The question is not whether you can tolerate something once or twice, but rather can you tolerate all this for two years?
10. What skills or qualities do you think are most important for a volunteer in The Gambia?
Extroversion is a beneficial quality while in The Gambia. Gambians are such social people and the American adage of “don’t talk to strangers” does not apply. Having the energy for this job is a huge part of being successful here. Or, if you are an introvert like me, finding the time and space to recharge before heading out again will be critical. This job and this country are doable as an introvert, but I had to recognize that I had to change the way I present myself in public to integrate.
11. How has the Peace Corps provided support and resources to enhance your service?
The other volunteers are a critical part of my support network. If I have problems or need advice, my fellow volunteers are always ready to lend a helping hand.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
12. Anything yet that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future volunteers?
My mum insisted I bring rubber gloves, which I begrudgingly agreed to. But since coming here, those gloves have been a lifesaver. I have to do my laundry by hand here and the soap is super corrosive on my skin. Also, duct tape is great! It’s kept my shoes intact, repaired the screens on my windows, and every time I get a letter from home, I use duct tape to stick it to my wall for daily encouragement.
13. How has learning the language been?
Language learning is going to be tough for most of your service. There are very few English speakers here. Yes, I know the national language is English, but that is the language of education and government, and very few people are fluent. It’s about finding a study schedule that fits the way you learn. If you learn best from practice, then get out and talk to your villagers. If you’re like me and need to sit down with a textbook, then dedicate time to that. That being said, I know a lot of successful volunteers who speak English in their village. So do what you can, but you’re not expected to be fluent in 2 years.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
14. How do you think your YT channel contributes to your overall mission?
When I was preparing to leave for Gambia, I combed through YouTube for videos. I found a lot of great content, but there was other stuff I did not see. My goal with my channel is to fill in those gaps and show prospective volunteers what they may not learn from other sources.
As for advice, just get your phone out and record. It’s better to have too much footage than too little. Also, don’t write off the things you’re experiencing. They may seem trivial or pedestrian, but to folks back home it might be novel. For example, I made a video about fetching water and how I bathe here and that is my mum and dad’s favorite video to show folks back home. Sometimes the everyday stuff here can be the most striking.
Be sure to check out Campbell Martin’s YouTube Channel here!
Discover all you need to know about Peace Corps The Gambia! History, culture, languages, volunteer experiences, safety, and connecting with RPCVs.
Final Thoughts
Campbell’s interview shows that being a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia is hard but rewarding. Campbell has learned to speak the local language and make friends. This helps Campbell teach teachers new ways of teaching. There are challenges like eating the same food every day and getting sick. But Campbell has grown stronger and more capable. Campbell gives good advice, like bringing duct tape and gloves. Recording everyday life also helps volunteers share their experience. Overall, Campbell’s story proves Peace Corps service changes volunteers and communities. With patience and an open mind, future volunteers can make a difference too.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Campbell’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 The Gambia Government.
