Meet Jacy Jones '17, Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin

• Feb 22, 2018

In addition to gaining a heightened sense of self and ability to live outside her comfort zone, Jacy Jones has learned the value of just sitting and being present during her Peace Corps service.

As Americans, we tend to want to fill any silence even if it’s with mindless conversations but here, it’s common to sit in a room with others and just be present. It’s a peaceful experience, especially when you have a landscape of lush trees and rolling hills for a view," she described

Jones completed her Bachelor’s degree at UT in public relations with a McCombs Business Certification in May 2015 and went on to complete her Master's in advertising with a focus on nonprofit studies in 2017. She is currently working as a Food Security Extension Agent in Benin, a small country in West Africa. We caught up with the Orange, Texas, native to learn more about her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer and life in Benin.

Why did you decide to join Peace Corps?

Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer was something I had been considering since 2014, yet I never really took the time to apply and go through the process. As my graduate studies neared the end, I knew I wanted to work and live abroad so I decided to take Peace Corps service more seriously.

I checked the Peace Corps website and found the program I believed would allow me to grow the most but also employ my knowledge and skill set appropriately. I told myself I would apply and if accepted I would go. Now, several months later, here I am, a Peace Corps Volunteer!

Can you tell us more about your assignment?

My work is focused on helping alleviate food security issues by employing sustainable agricultural techniques and introducing income generating activities.

It consists of two main components which are agriculture and business. In this area, I facilitate sessions for groups of farmers, young entrepreneurs, and women’s cooperatives on accounting, marketing, record keeping, and business management. It is the combination of the agriculture and business components that really has an impact on overcoming the issue of food security in my community.

Describe your community and location.

I’m located in a rural village named Deve which is in the South of Benin. While there’s a large focus on fishing, the village is very agricultural where most community members farm rice, maize, bananas, and different types of local legumes.

There is a small marché (market) where I can purchase foods like okra, tomatoes, onions, garlic, tofu, beans, and rice and a variety of other foods. The village also has several churches, buvettes (bars), restaurants, a bakery, and several boutiques that sell tissue (local fabrique), electronics, and different odds and ends. There are no paved roads, so the main method of travel is by a moto or bicycle or foot.

Describe your job and what you do in a typical day.

While my work environment is best described as unstructured, my typical day commences around 5:00 am when the rooster flies into my concession to crow and with the goats' bleats ensemble. Roughly 30 minutes later, my neighbor begins sweeping the courtyard at which point I decide to wake up.

In the afternoons, I usually have language tutoring which consists of an hour of French and an hour of Adja, which is the local language my community speaks. Afterwards, I head home to prepare lunch, take a two-hour nap, and spend my evenings cooking dinner by myself or with a neighbor.

However, some days my work simply consists of walking around my village saluting (greeting) different members of my community, practicing the local language, or just hanging out at my supervisor’s house playing with his kids or helping his wife prepare lunch or dinner.

What is your favorite part of being a Peace Corps Volunteer?

I also enjoy sharing American culture with my community! Explaining UNO in French is difficult, but it makes a great evening of laughter!

What are the hardest parts of being a Peace Corps Volunteer?

One of the hardest parts of being a volunteer is being away from family and friends. Yet, when you are part of a cohort with more than 30 people and there are over 200 volunteers serving in the country and going through the same emotions or work struggles, they quickly become your family away from home. I’ve been in Benin for four months and have already made lifelong friends.

How would you describe your service?

My service is spontaneous and constantly evolving. Each day brings new challenges and new successes and I love it!

How will your service impact your career goals?

I’m hopeful that my service will help me secure a job doing developmental work in another country. Eventually, I would like to receive my doctorate but I would like to do more international development work first.

What would you say to current UT students considering applying to Peace Corps?

Do not let the two-year commitment, the fear of missing out, the daunting application process, or anything else hold you back from serving as a peace corps volunteer.

Also, regardless of your major or background, there is a Peace Corps program that can put your knowledge and skills to use.

 

Learn more about becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer