In this interview, we hear from Reyneir Magee. Reyneir was working as a Peace Corps Health volunteer in Togo. What Reyneir 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. Reyneir talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Reyneir’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
- Social Identity during Service
- Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you tell us more about serving as a Health volunteer in Togo?
During my service, I worked closely with the local dispensaire (health clinic). My day usually started around 8:00 a.m., and I would arrive at the clinic by 9:00 a.m. to support the clinic staff.
At my dispensaire, there were typically three core staff members:
- The head nurse – who served as the clinic’s lead medical provider (similar to a doctor).
- An assistant nurse – who worked under the head nurse.
- A childbirth attendant (accoucheuse) – responsible for prenatal and delivery care.
Later in my service, a pharmacist joined the team to help with distributing medication, but for most of my time, I mainly worked alongside the original three.
Work with the Childbirth Attendant
I assisted during prenatal consultations (CPNs) by taking blood pressure, temperature, height, and weight measurements for pregnant women. While the childbirth attendant asked questions about the woman’s medical history and pregnancy, I supplemented by asking about mosquito net usage and whether they knew the danger signs before and after delivery.
Work with the Head Nurse
Every Thursday, mothers brought their babies for routine vaccinations (such as polio, BCG, and PEV). I helped record and maintain each child’s carnet de vaccination (health/vaccination booklet) to ensure accuracy and compliance. On vaccination days, I also measured newborn height and weight and assisted with recording birth measurements.
Work with the Assistant Nurse
My main tasks included helping maintain the vaccine refrigerator to ensure doses were stored at the correct temperature and alerting staff if any vaccines were at risk of spoiling. I also helped record cases of reportable illnesses such as meningitis, yellow fever, and (in some instances) COVID-19.
Community-Based Activities
Outside the clinic, I supported community health initiatives, such as:
- Workshops for community health workers in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (about twice a year).
- Monthly community health worker meetings at my site.
- Mosquito net distribution campaigns (approximately every three years) to help prevent malaria.
- Home visits – conducted weekly or biweekly to promote mosquito net use and provide follow-up care for pregnant women.
In total, I spent about three days per week at the clinic, usually from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and sometimes until 2:00 p.m. My work combined direct clinical support with community outreach, bridging the gap between the health center and the surrounding villages.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose Togo?
I chose the Peace Corps because, at the time, it checked a lot of boxes for me: learning a new language, experiencing new cultures, traveling, and doing it all within the health field. Not many volunteer programs allow you to work in health without already having a medical or advanced degree, but the Peace Corps gave me that opportunity.
I specifically chose Togo because it allowed me to serve in the health sector. Other countries might have placed me in education, agriculture, or other sectors, but my passion was humanitarian aid in health. For me, it was never about the exact location—I cared most about the type of work I’d be doing, and Togo offered exactly what I was looking for.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation
I lived in a very rural village with no more than about 4,000 people, spread out over roughly a 30-minute walking radius. Fortunately, my house was close to the main road, which made travel much easier.
When I first arrived, my host family lived in the same compound as I did. Later, they moved away, and my cultural immersion facilitator—a close friend—became my host family. For the most part, I lived on my own, and I enjoyed it. I’m someone who values quiet moments after work, so evenings spent alone on my porch listening to nature were some of my favorite times in service.
Water Availability
Living situations vary widely between Peace Corps Volunteers, even within the same cohort. In my case, I did not have running water. I fetched water from a pump about one minute from my house, carrying it on my head as is customary in the community. My latrine was outside—just a small, brick-walled space with a hole in the ground. This setup is common in rural Togo, although some volunteers had indoor toilets, bucket-flush systems, or even limited running water.
Despite the lack of plumbing, I considered my home one of the better setups because the water source was reliable and close by. Plumbing systems in rural Togo are often inconsistent, so in my case, fetching water felt more dependable than having unreliable tap access.
Food Access
I was very fortunate when it came to food. My village had a small night market every day dedicated to food vendors. I rarely cooked for myself; instead, I bought local meals like spaghetti, rice with beans and eggs, and fresh salads. Seasonal fruit—mangoes, pineapples, bananas—was abundant and delicious.
Exercise & Physical Activity
It’s possible to exercise in rural Togo, and in the early months, I did so regularly. However, much of my daily life was already physically demanding—carrying water, hauling wood, gardening, handwashing clothes—so over time, I let go of structured workouts. My physical activity came naturally from daily chores and community work.
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had?
I had countless memorable experiences during my service, but one that stands out is my departure party. By Togo standards, it was small—about 40 people—but I wanted it to be intimate and filled with the people who had been most meaningful to me. The speeches, the laughter, and the thoughtful gifts all made the day unforgettable.
One moment that truly touched my heart was when my former childbirth attendant—who had transferred to another clinic during my service—sent me a message a week before the party asking when I was leaving. She told me she wanted to come back just to see me off. Seeing her walk in, giving her a hug, and sharing that moment reminded me of the genuine relationships I had built in the community.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What challenges did you face while working on Health projects?
One of the biggest challenges I faced while working on health projects was the language barrier. In my first year, my French was not yet strong enough for me to fully express myself or understand complex conversations. Even when my French improved, some community members spoke only local languages, which made direct communication impossible.
To overcome this, I often worked with trusted translators—people fluent in both the local language and French—who could help me explain health concepts accurately. Sometimes they would even translate key points into English for me so I could be certain my message was understood.
6. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
Beyond my primary health work, I took on several secondary projects that were deeply rewarding:
Orphanage Chicken Farm
I helped establish a small poultry project with seven chickens to provide a steady source of protein for 30 orphans in my village. Given the high cost of food and the prevalence of malnutrition—even among non-orphans—this project provided both nutritional and financial relief.
Volleyball Net from Recycled Materials
Working with local schoolchildren, we collected discarded plastic water sachets littering the community and wove them into a functional volleyball net for the school. The project not only promoted physical activity but also raised awareness about waste management and recycling.
Advice and Support
7. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as an Health volunteer in Togo?
My biggest advice is to keep an open mind. Your sense of belonging and purpose—especially in the health sector—will develop naturally over time. Even small acts of service are deeply valued in Togo. If you come with a genuine desire to help, that intention will be recognized and appreciated by your community.
8. How has the Peace Corps training helped you during your service?
Peace Corps training was essential in preparing me for service. The most valuable resource was the Language teachers—both in French and in local languages—who are hard to find in rural villages, so I made the most of it during Pre-Service Training (PST).
In-Service Training (IST) was also incredibly beneficial because it included my counterpart and cultural facilitator. This allowed me to see how other volunteers engaged their communities and to collaborate directly on technical and small project planning. IST provided practical tools for developing projects, writing grants, and managing resources effectively.
The Peace Corps also offered career development panels, which gave me insights into opportunities after service—a helpful reminder that service is both an ending and a launching point.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
9. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future Togo volunteers?
- Pack light — You’ll accumulate souvenirs, cultural items, and tailor-made clothes during your service. Leave room in your bags for these treasures to bring home.
- Consider vitamins — If you take vitamins regularly, bring a 6-month supply. Certain supplements are hard to find in-country.
- Optional items — I briefly considered bringing a small weight scale, but it turned out I didn’t need it.
10. How has learning the language been?
I arrived in Togo with zero French background, and it was challenging. French is not an easy language for English speakers, and in Togo, it’s often mixed with local languages. My advice: learn as much as you can before staging—anything helps.
Peace Corps now offers more robust language resources than in the past, many of which exist thanks to feedback from earlier cohorts. Use them. Language will be one of your most powerful tools for building trust, understanding needs, and creating effective health projects.
Social Identity during Service
11. In what ways did your social identity shape your approach to service?
I identify as a Black woman, and during my service, I was 29 years old. My social identity impacted my Peace Corps experience in both positive and challenging ways—most noticeably through my gender.
In Togo, gender roles are clearly defined and often tied to traditional expectations for how men and women should behave. As a woman, I was frequently asked questions about marriage and children—why I wasn’t married yet, when I planned to marry, and why I didn’t have children. These conversations were common and became part of navigating my relationships in the community.
Being a Black American also shaped my experience. In Togo, many people have a mental image of Americans as white, so my presence expanded that understanding. When I explained that I was American, it often challenged assumptions and sparked curiosity. Interestingly, I occupied a unique space—people rarely assumed I was American, but they also didn’t think I was Togolese. This “in-between” identity worked to my advantage.
Because I wasn’t easily placed into a single category, I could avoid some of the immediate stereotypes or assumptions that white Americans or visibly foreign volunteers might face. For example, I was less likely to be overcharged at markets or singled out for attention based solely on appearance. This allowed me to engage with the community more naturally and focus on building genuine relationships.
Overall, while my gender sometimes brought additional scrutiny, my racial and cultural identity helped me connect in nuanced ways and navigate certain situations more smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Reyneir’s time in Togo shows how Peace Corps service blends professional skills with personal discovery. From early mornings at the clinic to evenings spent on a quiet porch, her days were full of moments that built trust and connection. The work wasn’t always easy—language barriers, cultural differences, and rural living all brought challenges—but each experience added to her understanding of what it means to serve. Her story is a reminder that life as a volunteer is as much about the relationships you build as the projects you complete.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Reyneir’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 Togo Government.
