One Door Closes, A Kingdom Opens.

A mid day hike through the district!

The day my Peace Corps adventure began was the day one chapter of my life came to a close. My steady 8-to-5 job as a government employee — sitting behind a desk, doing my part for public service — came to an end.

I shed more tears with my family that day than I did when I left for college. The gravity of what I was about to do weighed heavily on all of our hearts.

So why did I do it?

I’ve always had what could only be called a bleeding heart. Back in 2019, when I was a college freshman, my best friend and I jokingly talked about joining the Peace Corps as “sisters.” Then COVID happened, and that innocent joke never came true — but a seed was planted.

Fast forward to 2025: after two years of working for the public good from behind a desk, I felt the need for something more. I started looking at sites like VolunteerWorld, which allowed me to select short-term opportunities, but nothing felt like the right fit. Eventually, I found my way back to the Peace Corps.

When I saw the two-year commitment requirement, I almost closed the page — it felt too long, too daunting. But my mom, who has always been my biggest supporter, told me, “Don’t let the fear of life moving past you keep you from following your path. Staying home won’t make life stand still — leaving might be what moves you forward.”

Those words stayed with me. The very next day, I applied for the “Most Needed” category — and Lesotho chose me.

Leaving home, even though I felt called to this, was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I love my family. I love my home. But I know nothing will ever be the same after an experience like this.

I look forward to seeing who I become by December 2027.

Public Digital Diary activated! Khotso (Peace)!

“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” — DeAnn Hollis