Name: Tau’Toya Broadway
Major and minor while at UNL: Nutrition Science (Major), Global Studies (Minor), Pre-Public Health (program)
On and off campus involvement: While at The University of Nebraska- Lincoln I stayed active by participating in many extra-curricular activities. I completed a 5-week Study Abroad program to Ethiopia, Africa, worked as a Desk-Supervisor at Harper-Schramm-Smith-Village. Also, I worked at Elliott Elementary as an After School CLC teacher. In addition, I participated in an Undergraduate Public Health Workshop at UNMC. The clubs and community service events that I was involved in included: Resilient Women (Community Service Coordinator), The Big Event Volunteer Day (volunteer), YMCA After-school “Brain-Boosters” Club (tutor), Bryan Medical Center (Pediatrics Volunteer), Afrikan Peoples’ Union (APU) (member), Young and Unashamed (active member), Air Force ROTC (cadet), and NU MEDS (member).
Where are you currently located? I am presently in Belize; East of Guatemala, South-East of Mexico, and West of the Caribbean Sea.
Describe your current duties as a Peace Corps volunteer:
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I am first required to integrate into a given community by building relationships, and getting to know the community- such as which events are hosted within the community, which activities are common, sports played, food consumed, etc. Then, the needs of the community are identified, which are based off of the community members. Once the needs of the community are identified, I work alongside counterparts who live within the community to create sustainable development within the schools, clinics…overall within the community.
The Peace Corps has defined the roles of a Peace Corps Volunteer to be: a learner, change-agent, co-trainer, mentor, co-facilitator, and a project co-planner.
Why did you apply for the Peace Corps? I applied for the Peace Corps for one main reason, to give back- I wanted to continue to serve others. I figured what would be a better way to serve others, and learn about another country and culture besides joining the United States Peace Corps; which was founded with the vision to “promote world peace and friendship.”
Belize is a small country, packed with diverse cultures, customs, languages. In Belize, the culture is a mix of influences from Mestizo, Mayan, Kriol, Garifuna, Mennonite, and a blend of other cultures such as Chinese. So, I have truly enjoyed exploring Belize and learning about the many different cultures.
I had the pleasure of living with a Kriol family during training, which was 2.5 months. The family lives in a medium-sized village (800 people). While living with them I was able to learn about the Kriol culture, and I also learned the traditional Kriol language, which helped prepare me for my Peace Corps service.
Now that Pre-Service Training is over, the other 21-Peace Corps Volunteers and I have moved into our permanent villages; our service has begun- all that we have learned in Pre-Service Training will come to use in our communities. I will eventually start my primary project which is to teach HFLE (Health and Family Life Education) lessons, for at least 6-hours a week, in the local school. Then, further down the road I will begin secondary projects which will be planned based off of the communities needs. So, far I know the community would like a youth group, school garden, walking club, more expressive arts, and a literacy program (within the school).
I have been in my village for a little over one week now, and I can say that being here is different than what I am used to in America. My experience with village life has been slow-paced, quiet, and filled with a ton of mosquitos (the Belize River is directly in front of my house). I know that once I start to volunteer in the school, get to know more of the community members, and start different projects the pace will pick up.
What is your advice for current GLST students interested in applying for Peace Corps in the future?
My advice for current GLST students interested in the Peace Corps is to PLAN AHEAD! Joining the Peace Corps is a 27-month commitment (3-months of training and 2-years of service) it is essential to start planning 1-year in advance, if not sooner.