Hello! My name is Paul de Tournemire.
I’m from Brooklyn, New York, where I studied philosophy at Bard College, and I am now developing a strong interest in environmental public policy.
I am volunteering for two years with the United States Peace Corps and the Zambian Forestry Department. I was very nervous about leaving home, but once I met the twenty other volunteers in my cohort, I felt reassured knowing we were in this together. Since arriving, I’ve been surrounded by kind and curious people—from fellow volunteers and staff to community members and local partners.
We don’t always have internet or phone service at my home, but there is always a way to find connection and communicate within twenty-four hours when needed. I use solar panels to charge a car battery, which provides power through the night and even during rainy days. For water, I usually filter and chlorinate rainwater or water from a nearby stream for cooking, drinking, and cleaning.
Visiting neighbors can feel daunting at times, between the heat, the rain, and cultural uncertainty, but it always ends up leaving me feeling connected and mentally refreshed. When I arrive at someone’s home, I am first offered a seat. Then the host greets me, asking about my health and my home. I return the greetings in Citonga, addressing each person seated around the compound. It’s important not to rush into the reason for your visit. It’s common, though not required, for the host to offer food or drink, and I often leave with a small snack for the road. Cibwantu, a popular energy drink made from munkoyo root, cornmeal, and water, is a local favorite. My favorite fruit so far is the sweet wild loquat.
I volunteer with my local clinic and rural health outpost during Children’s Health Days, support nearby primary and secondary schools when they need substitute teachers, and promote agricultural income-generating activities. I usually test new projects at my home or a neighbor’s home first, then bring them to a school to showcase the technical knowledge and demonstrate practical applications.
Once or twice a month, I meet with other volunteers at our Provincial Resource Center. We cook together, catch up, do puzzles, and play board games, spending a couple of days recharging and building community.
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.
