Lydia Dambekalns '81
Where and when: Benin, 1981, and Kenya, 1982-84
Service: Rural development with women's groups

BY SYLVIA CORNELIUSSEN

Lydia Dambekalns '81, who became a Peace Corps recruiter when she finished volunteering, might be one of the organization's most enthusiastic supporters.

"I have always said that the three things I believe in most wholly and completely are Swiss Army knives, duct tape and the Peace Corps. I could sell any of these easily," she says.

Indeed, like many volunteers, Dambekalns' life was shaped by the time she spent in the Peace Corps. "It changes a person forever," she says. "I often carry that model of Africa's ability to not take things so seriously. I admire that. I also will be a little more lonely the rest of my life ... because African society requires you to be part of everyone's lives."

Having grown up on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley, Dambekalns had practical experience to offer as a Peace Corps volunteer. During her time in Africa, she worked with women's groups to do small income-generating projects like raising goats and chickens. The organization sometimes finds it more challenging to fill these positions, which made Dambekalns a perfect choice.

Being immersed in Kenya's agricultural pursuits allowed her to enjoy the magnificent scenery surrounding her. She had the opportunity to foray into the hills and the distant parts of the region -- all while driving the Suzuki Jeep provided to her by USAID.

Dambekalns, an associate professor of art education and curriculum development at the University of Wyoming, says her Peace Corps service gave her skills that can be applied to any situation and have especially helped her in the education field.

"It taught me how to move into brand-new situations and be able to hit the ground running. It taught me something about listening and observing" she says. "It taught me that no matter how hard a moment might be here, it's not as hard as [it is for] people in other places who have little to eat or less security to sleep at night."

The daughter of a native Latvian, Dambekalns says she had always been interested in being a part of other cultures. In her freshman year at the College, a classmate told Dambekalns that he intended to go into the Peace Corps after graduation. "That was the first time I had ever heard of it," she recalls. "So because of him, I looked into it. In the end, I went and he did not."