University of New Hampshire alum Denise Richard '14 is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020.The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Peace Corps is a service I can give and learn from. I believe it's something where I’ll be able to use all parts of me not just different bits and pieces,” said Richard. “When I was at the University of New Hampshire, there was a Peace Corps information table and I just hung out there because it felt comfortable to me in an exciting way.”
Richard graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in physics; she then went on to receive her master’s degree in physics from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She will serve as an education volunteer in Kenya.
“The world is at a critical juncture. The largest global vaccination effort in history is underway while other widespread health, social, political, and environmental issues continue to erode the foundation of our global society. Actions taken in the next few years have the potential to fundamentally impact development trajectories for decades to come,” said Peace Corps CEO Carol Spahn. “Peace Corps volunteers returning to Kenya will work alongside community members to support urgent development efforts and build critical connections.”
The volunteer cohorts are made up of both first-time volunteers and volunteers who were evacuated in early 2020. Upon finishing a three-month training, volunteers will collaborate with their host communities on locally prioritized projects in one of Peace Corps’ six sectors – agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health or youth in development – and all will engage in COVID-19 response and recovery work.
Currently, the agency is recruiting volunteers to serve in 55 countries around the world at the request of host country governments, to connect through the Peace Corps’ grassroots approach across communities and cultures. Volunteers have already returned to a total of 38 countries around the world. The Peace Corps continues to monitor COVID-19 trends in all of its host countries and will send volunteers to serve as conditions permit. Americans interested in transformative service and lifelong connections should apply to Peace Corps service at www.peacecorps.gov/apply.
