About

To my dear readers:

Here’s a quick background on me – I graduated from Smith College (’19) where I majored in Neuroscience and got the 5 College Certificate in Culture, Health, and Science (essentially public health). I began thinking about what my next step would be after college and reflected on what my passions were – teaching, traveling, and health/science.

I started looking into a lot of different options and decided to apply for the Peace Corps. I submitted an application to the “send me where you need me” and was placed in Rwanda.

Many, especially my Mother, were apprehensive because of the genocide that took place merely 25 years ago. However, the Rwandan government has made huge moves to transform its country to be one of the most urbanized, progressive, and safest in Africa. Policies in public health have made their healthcare system increasingly more sustainable and accessible for all Rwandans. An initiative to lower maternal and infant mortality rates have been successful by focusing on the first 1,000 days for each child. That’s my project.

I’ll be volunteering as a Maternal and Early Childhood Health Educator in Rwanda for 27 months, 9.17.2019-12.19.2021. But who knows, maybe I’ll stick around a little longer.

Let’s put this liberal arts degree to work and see if this Neuroscience major can write!

I’m excited for this next step. Thanks for joining me!

With love, 
Joanna

It’s also important to note that anything shared on this site is mine and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Peace Corps, or the Rwandan and US Governments.