BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO is an West African Adinkra symbol translating to “help me and let me help you.”

Between March 16-21 volunteers serving in Peace Corps, The Gambia, were notified  of their immediate evacuation back to America. 

As volunteers began the surreal experience of closing out service, it would have been impossible to have done so without the supreme coordination, emotional support, and oftentimes, sleepless assistance of supporting staff members. Volunteers were shuttled to and fro throughout Kombo by vigilant drivers. Medical and security staff skipped meals and regular breaks to ensure that all 113 volunteers serving were able to be seen. Language and Cultural Facilitators (LCF's) provided opportunities for volunteers to have final language tests, as well as provide emotional support for their students, who hovered between shock and tears. 

In reality, MANY of our fellow staff members were facing a stark reality, that after spending, sometimes 5, 10, 15, 20+ years serving alongside volunteers to ensure that each American that stepped foot onto Gambian soil was seen, cared for, nurtured, supported and kept as safe as possible--now, they too were facing the reality that at the end of this impossible task of evacuation, daily life and work routines would take on an altogether unfamiliar and different shape; many staff would be facing reduced work hours.

While a dependable paycheck was no longer going to be a guaranteed reality for all staff members, many of our staff held their own anxiety, fear, and sadness in their hearts over a future that was all too uncertain. Regardless, they never paused in their tireless work to ensure that each volunteer would be safely on an airplane back to the US.

The staff were our lights. In a very dark, confusing, and horrible space, their vigilance and dedication is what made it possible for volunteers to safely step foot back onto American soil. They never asked for anything in return. Many of us, in the process of holding our own grief, had no capacity within our aching hearts to sometimes check in with staff with how they were doing. They still held space for us. They looked us in our eyes, prayed for us, and let us know that we were not alone.  

Today, we are inviting evacuated volunteers to have an opportunity to give back to these dedicated staff members in an expression of gratitude, solidarity and celebration.

We celebrate the dedicated staff, who through our time in the Gambia, prepared countless, delicious meals for us. Drivers who shuttled us, personal belongings, mail, and countless other items and people safely, even when they were exhausted. Crews of people who kept facilities immaculate as we received training and attended workshops. How many medical staff members fielded phone calls from volunteers at all hours of the day? Without staff, our service couldn't have been possible or successful. 

In this space of gratitude, throughout the Ramadan season, we are putting forth a beautiful opportunity for the 113 volunteers who were loved and supported by our staff, to put into practice one of the most valuable lessons that our staff instilled in us; the power of a united community. We invite you to crowdsource (with friends and family) to raise $150 each to be distributed by the independent HCN Welfare Association, to staff members who are facing the complexities of COVID-19 as it reshapes our world. These funds would function as a stopgap during the potential six plus month interim or until Peace Corps resumes normal operations. The association
works to support staff and each other during key times such as big holiday times like Eid, family events (ie: weddings, births), and times of crisis.

If each volunteer found 5 other people in addition to themselves, in their circle of family and friends, to contribute $25 dollars, and we were each able to raise $150--the impact of those funds as operations are halted, would be of unbelievable assistance to our incredible staff members. To be able to close Ramadan out and join staff in their celebrations with this financial gift of gratitude would be a dream. Our goal is to close out this campaign by May 25, 2020 having reached our full amount!

We hope you will join us in making this dream a reality. Time and time again during this evacuation, Peace Corps have shown volunteers that we are not alone, and have advocated to get us additional funds, as well as benefits of unemployment, access to NCE, and the Coverdell fellowships for *all* volunteers. 

Countless staff members encouraged and uplifted us through our many stumbles and triumphs. They cheered us on. They gave us our initial footing as we embarked on a very uncertain service. They became our family. They have shown us that through our interconnectedness, our humanity matters. As volunteers we can come together to show staff that we are still connected to them and recognize their humanity as well. 

To each staff member...Abaraka Bakke, Jaraama, Jerejef, Nuwari, Emitey Chaami.  

***NOTE: This fundraiser is NOT affiliated with the Peace Corps and makes no statements pertaining to official Peace Corps operations or stances. It is purely RPCV run and operated.***