Lumelang Bakhotse (Hello friends)! I'm Kinsey Martindale, a current Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho. I am 23 years old, and grew up in Portland, Oregon. Having spent the first 18 years of my life in the Pacific Northwest, I enjoy spending quality time outdoors, and I'm thrilled to be living in a country that has some of the most stunning scenery in the world. When I'm back home in Portland, I also enjoy hanging out at cafes, going on long drives, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my pets.
After graduating high school, I travelled to the other side of the world to study Political Science, Journalism, and Chinese at NYU Shanghai. Throughout my four years of university, I spent about three years in Shanghai, China, half a year in Madrid, Spain, and another half a year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Having had the incredible opportunity of seeing different countries and experiencing different cultures, I knew that I wanted to continue expanding my knowledge of the world after graduation. I applied to the Peace Corps during my last semester of college, and was fortunate enough to be offered a position as a primary school teacher in Lesotho.
For the past year, I've been living in a small mountainous village in the Northern part of Lesotho. I live with my host father, host mother, host sister—who is entering seventh grade at my school—and Jengo, my dog who I adopted earlier this year. I typically work in grade four, where I teach English and Math. I also step in to the higher grades sometimes to assist with English lessons. All of the kids that I work with bring me so much joy, and I'm looking forward to starting my second year of teaching this January. While much of my life in Lesotho revolves around teaching, I also love to unwind by hanging out with my friends, reading, listening to music, writing, creating art, and taking weekend trips to explore more of the country.
I am so excited to embark on this journey with all of you, and I can't wait to continue learning more about Lesotho alongside you all! Khotso, Pula, Nala (Lesotho's national motto, translating to Peace, Rain, Prosperity)!
Peace Corps Volunteers like me live and work side by side with community members around the world, collaborating on locally prioritized projects, building relationships, exchanging cultures and knowledge, and helping transform lives for generations. Learn more by clicking here.
