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Devon Gershaneck
Country of Service
Senegal
Dates Served
2001 - 2004
Volunteer Position
Community Health Education Volunteer

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Description of main volunteer activities:

Though my position was technically that of a health volunteer, I participated in any way that I could with the community in which I lived. I worked with the local health hut and health post, organizing and maintaining their vaccination campaign. I also worked with the local women’s groups making enriched flour and selling it to create a sustainable source of income for the women. I worked with the schools promoting girls’ education. I worked on health education trainings with a couple of members of my community, which we brought back to promote in the surrounding villages. I also worked with the local “Water and forest” agricultural program to bring trees and educate about the importance of sustainable forestry.

How Peace Corps service influenced decision to go into nursing and future plans:

It was while I was in the Peace Corps that I decided that I wanted to become a nurse. I had considered medical school or PA school before joining the Peace Corps, but remained undecided until my PC service. It was a culmination of working with local nurses and midwives and learning about the opportunity back in the US to combine my Peace Corps service with practical nursing skills at the JHU SON that solidified my plans to become a nurse.

Impact of RPCV Fellows experience:

The RPCV Fellows experience was a great one. Not only was I able to meet fellow RPCVs, with whom I shared many common experiences, I was also able to participate in the community in a way that I probably would not have had I not been an RPCV fellow. I worked with the community outreach program at the Wald Community Nursing Center, as well as with the Birth Companions program. I was able to combine my interests in women’s health with that of community/public health nursing.

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Devon Gershaneck