Dionte's Peace Corps Service
Donation protected
Hello Friends and Family,
As many of you know, I will be boarding an airplane to Namibia, Africa to serve 27 months in the Peace Corps, August 14th, 2018.
I am extremely humbled to have this opportunity. Kids who grew up the way I did aren't suppose to have these opportunities. I am excited and proud to be pushed so far outside my comfort zone, and experience something that is beyond the scope of what my family could have imagined for me. Personally, it has been a priority of mine to be a positive, black role-model for those in my community and those in my family. With the Peace Corps, I am looking forward to showing others what empowered young black men like me can accomplish.
That said, the road to this opportunity has been long and challenging. I do not come from privilege and have been working extremely hard to fund this journey, however, I am coming up short. Below are some more details about what I will be doing, and why I am asking for your help.
What I'll be doing
I have be selected to serve as a secondary science teacher. I will be teaching basic science course work, as well as, some health and wellness education. I have not yet been told where in Namibia I will serve. This information will be shared during my intensive 3 months of training. Wherever I am, I will be working hard to be the best volunteer I can be. I know I will have an incredible journey.
More about the Peace Corps here: https://www.peacecorps.gov/
What Namibia is like
Namibia is a country about twice the size of California, however, only 2.5 million people, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. (To me, that means I'll be able to look so far into space that I'll be able to wave at the aliens lol). There are is a diversity of culture and wildlife. It is also home to the oldest desert in the world.
More about Namibia here: https://www.info-namibia.com/info/general-information
Why I'm asking for your help
For me, this journey began last September, when I went to Puerto Rico, post-hurricane Maria, to do disaster relief with the Red Cross. While there, I met many returned Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), who shared their stories with me. I had considered serving in the past, but the combination of the feeling doing good work and collecting the stories of those PCVs, I knew I had to apply.
So just 7 months ago, I sent in my application. A month later, I interviewed and 3 weeks later, I was offered a position. Being accepted is just the beginning. Once accepted, the intensive medical and legal clearance process begins. The Peace Corps does offer a small amount of cost-sharing to help cover the cost of this part of the process, however, in my case, this costed me thousands of dollars. It is very necessary, but, I did not anticipate/prepare to spend so much money. In addition to these costs, I will also need to purchase a few different things from the packing list they provided, as well as, set aside money to travel and take advantage of living in a different hemisphere of the world.
I have been working extremely hard to pay off outstanding debts, these expenses, and save for travel and security, but I will not be able to accomplish this without your help.
I'm a broke black kid from Red Wing, MN, who now has an opportunity to see and help the world. Please, any amount will help. IT'S ALL LOVE.
Thank you,
Dionte
As many of you know, I will be boarding an airplane to Namibia, Africa to serve 27 months in the Peace Corps, August 14th, 2018.
I am extremely humbled to have this opportunity. Kids who grew up the way I did aren't suppose to have these opportunities. I am excited and proud to be pushed so far outside my comfort zone, and experience something that is beyond the scope of what my family could have imagined for me. Personally, it has been a priority of mine to be a positive, black role-model for those in my community and those in my family. With the Peace Corps, I am looking forward to showing others what empowered young black men like me can accomplish.
That said, the road to this opportunity has been long and challenging. I do not come from privilege and have been working extremely hard to fund this journey, however, I am coming up short. Below are some more details about what I will be doing, and why I am asking for your help.
What I'll be doing
I have be selected to serve as a secondary science teacher. I will be teaching basic science course work, as well as, some health and wellness education. I have not yet been told where in Namibia I will serve. This information will be shared during my intensive 3 months of training. Wherever I am, I will be working hard to be the best volunteer I can be. I know I will have an incredible journey.
More about the Peace Corps here: https://www.peacecorps.gov/
What Namibia is like
Namibia is a country about twice the size of California, however, only 2.5 million people, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. (To me, that means I'll be able to look so far into space that I'll be able to wave at the aliens lol). There are is a diversity of culture and wildlife. It is also home to the oldest desert in the world.
More about Namibia here: https://www.info-namibia.com/info/general-information
Why I'm asking for your help
For me, this journey began last September, when I went to Puerto Rico, post-hurricane Maria, to do disaster relief with the Red Cross. While there, I met many returned Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), who shared their stories with me. I had considered serving in the past, but the combination of the feeling doing good work and collecting the stories of those PCVs, I knew I had to apply.
So just 7 months ago, I sent in my application. A month later, I interviewed and 3 weeks later, I was offered a position. Being accepted is just the beginning. Once accepted, the intensive medical and legal clearance process begins. The Peace Corps does offer a small amount of cost-sharing to help cover the cost of this part of the process, however, in my case, this costed me thousands of dollars. It is very necessary, but, I did not anticipate/prepare to spend so much money. In addition to these costs, I will also need to purchase a few different things from the packing list they provided, as well as, set aside money to travel and take advantage of living in a different hemisphere of the world.
I have been working extremely hard to pay off outstanding debts, these expenses, and save for travel and security, but I will not be able to accomplish this without your help.
I'm a broke black kid from Red Wing, MN, who now has an opportunity to see and help the world. Please, any amount will help. IT'S ALL LOVE.
Thank you,
Dionte
Organizer
Dionte Montel
Organizer
Rochester, MN