Returning to Service in a 'New World': Uncertainty Abroad

One year ago today I wrapped my arms around my mom and dad before walking through the metal detectors at the East Texas Regional airport in Longview, Texas. The strangest thing about that sentence is that I was able to physically wrap my arms around my parents, something we all take for granted in the times of the pandemic, COVID-19.

I was off to what I thought was going to be two years full of adventure, new experiences, and quite a few mishaps in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar for my Peace Corps service as a Secondary Education English Teacher. I had been assigned to provide English instruction to High School students in a community on Bilu Island in Mon State while working closely with my school and community to establish projects and services that the community determines beneficial.

For those that followed my blog pre-departure and once landing in country, you know the events that unfolded. For those that are just now ‘tuning in’ here is a brief overview of what occurred: once my cohort and I landed in Myanmar, we spent two weeks at an ecological ‘resort’ settling ourselves in country. We began learning the language, becoming accustomed to the culture and foods, and even had an opportunity to explore the nearest city, Bago. After those two weeks, we relocated to Bago where we stayed at three cluster hotels in the city for roughly 6 more weeks, heavily learning the language, practicing our English language instruction with our peers and real local students, spending time immersing ourselves in Myanmar culture through dining and pagoda tours with our Myanmar host families, and for some of us, really putting to practice those Myanmar language skills when taking the wrong bus to Yangon. ‘Field trips’ to visit Buddhist monasteries, towering golden pagodas, National museums, tea shops, chats with local businessmen/women and head of communities, and a visit to a spiritual guide. The training was immersive and intensive. And don’t forget about all the very descriptive training on diarrhea. Thanks Dr. Wai.

It was the day we all began to return from our site visits, where we would be living and working for the next two years, that my cohort and I would receive the mass text message warning us of the evacuation. In just 8 short weeks after touching down on Myanmar soil, we would packing our bags and heading back to America due to the uncertainty that was to come as a result of the increasing concerns due to the COVID-19 virus. Airports were slowly beginning to limit travel or shut down entirely, and the Peace Corps did not want to risk the health and safety of any of their volunteers, so we were all flown home to our respective states/countries and told to ‘sit tight’ until we could return. One year later, we have not returned.

I have not flown since that day in March 2020. Aching to travel and jet-set, the risk of becoming ill with COVID-19 or worse, spreading it to others, has not been one that I've been willing to take despite the 'itch'. My bag rests empty in my closet, hopeful it will be brought out and stuffed for adventures in late 2021, or maybe early 2022. The golden rod-colored piece of yarn tied around it's handle is frayed, and a reminder of the service that was never fulfilled. Peace Corps volunteers are each given a piece of yarn to tie to their luggage, a different color for the country of service. This is a long-standing tradition among volunteers, and when we see one another in an airport, on a bus, or a train and spot that yarn tied to the handle, frayed and worn, we know.

Returning to service in a 'new world'

All volunteers, including trainees, were provided an option to reinstate once Peace Corps was allowed to reopen. Essentially, this means volunteers and trainees that were evacuated from service will be able to return to country without re-starting their service/training. It is expected that those that reinstate will likely have to quarantine for some period of time once returning to country before they can either return to their communities or enter a newly assigned community, and that special training in regard to health and safety will be provided. Volunteers that were located in posts farther from the capitol will also likely be unable to return to their sites, due to health and safety concerns. 

PCVs will be returning to a new kind of Peace Corps service, something different than before. It will be the job of volunteers to help “navigate this new world” (Pamela Martin, former Peace Corps Myanmar Country Director). In a time of uncertainty, it will be necessary for volunteers to explore community needs and assess how they can help during this unique time. New roles will likely be added to the volunteer, such as providing education on mask-wearing and hand-washing and other health topics. Those who reinstate will essentially become pioneers in service in this ‘new world’ as we continue to heal from the pandemic. 

Originally I had every intention of reinstating. As I sat on the long 6-hour bus ride from Mon State back to Bago, I knew that I would be returning to Myanmar as soon as the Peace Corps would allow. But as many curve balls as the world has been thrown the last 12 months, I was thrown a few of my own as well. If you can’t stand ‘sap’, you may want to skip ahead now. I warned you…
Not long after returning to the United States, I unexpectedly met Brent. A software engineer, Dad of one, and total goofball who swept me off my feet at the mention of ‘the best tacos’. We discussed my decision to return to Myanmar, and ultimately decided that two years apart was worth the journey and experiences I’d have; however, as the departure date continued to get pushed deeper and deeper into 2021 I made the incredibly difficult decision not to return to service. Instead, I began working on our family and my career in the field of social work, finally landing that medical social work job I was after pre-Peace Corps service.

But deep inside me, there is still that biting, nagging feeling to serve. I spent 10 years, TEN YEARS, waiting to get on that plane and commit to 24 months of service. It was heartbreaking to go through medical and legal clearance, staging, and several weeks of in-country training only to have all of that end so quickly. I’ve mentioned before that I’m stubborn, and that when I commit to an idea, I stick to it. Brent and I plan to serve together one day in the future when his son is old enough for us to live abroad for 2 years. The idea of serving alongside my partner, experiencing all of those unexpected challenges, mishaps, and moments of laughter leaves me optimistic. 2020-2022 was not my time to serve, but maybe that was because I was not meant to serve alone.

Get ready Peace Corps, the Russell-Phillips will see you in 2027!