Kristine Nachbor, 23, of Plymouth has been accepted into the Peace Corps and departed for Burkina Faso on June 1 to begin training as a science education volunteer.
Nachbor will make a difference living and working in a community to integrate health and environmental education into the school curriculum while supporting activities such as HIV/AIDS prevention and education.
Nachbor is participating in Peace Corps’ Master’s International program, which allows her to earn her master’s degree and complete her Peace Corps service simultaneously. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in biological science at Michigan Technological University, the top Peace Corps Master’s International school in the country.
“I decided to do the Master's International program because I felt that a lot of other master’s programs were very removed from the actual people and communities,” Nachbor said. “I wanted to conduct research that could directly and immediately impact those I was working for and with in the community.”
Nachbor also graduated from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and Carleton College in Northfield.
During the first three months of her service in Burkina Faso, Nachbor will complete technical, language, health and safety training while living with a host family to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. The training and cultural exchange prepare Nachbor for her two years of service, while also allowing community members to gain a better understanding of Americans.
After Nachbor is sworn into service and assigned to a community, she will work on sustainable, community-driven development projects that make a difference for the people of Burkina Faso and provide Nachbor with leadership and cross-cultural skills she can use throughout her career. Minnesota is one of the top states for Peace Corps volunteers, and Nachbor joins the 233 Minnesota residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 6,287 Minnesota residents have served as volunteers since the agency was created in 1961.
About volunteers in Burkina Faso: Nearly 1,830 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Burkina Faso since the program was established in 1966. Currently, 150 volunteers serve in Burkina Faso. Volunteers work in the areas of education, health and environment. Volunteers are trained and work in the following languages: Bissa, French, Fulfuldé, Gulmancema, Gurunssi, Hidi, Itanikom, Jula, Kanuri, Kapsiki, Karunfe, Katsena, Lobiri, Lyele, Mandara, Mooré, Mungaka, Siamou and Yemba.
About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries.
(Information provided by a Peace Corps press release.)
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