Peace Corps volunteers gained a new perspective

They came back with no regrets and not much money, but with intangible riches. Veterans of the Peace Corps say service abroad left them with a wealth of experience and understanding.

Mark Nesse, director of the Everett Public Library, was in Ethiopia from 1965 to 1967.

Jeff Kelley-Clarke, director of Snohomish County’s Solid Waste Division, met his wife, Paula Kelley-Clarke, in Bahrain. They were in the island country in the Persian Gulf from 1976 to 1978.

Cliff Strong, Arlington’s planning director, spent 1982 through 1985 in the west African nation of Niger working in a fisheries program. “You have to be ready to step outside the United States, accept different people and learn a new way of life,” Jeff Kelley-Clarke said. “If you’re ready for that, there’s nothing like it.

“It’s different than a two-week vacation in Europe. It teaches about being a minority, about different languages and religious tolerance. It gave me a lot of perspective on world politics.”

Peace Corps recruiters will explain volunteer opportunities at a meeting at 6:30 tonight at the Everett Public Library.

“We’re in 71 countries, from Africa and the Pacific to Latin America and Eastern Europe,” said Jim Aguirre, public affairs specialist in the federal agency’s regional office in Seattle.

Born in 1961 with the vision of President Kennedy, the Peace Corps today has about 7,500 volunteers. Their average age is 27, but the eldest is 84, Aguirre said. Stints of 27 months include three months of training and two years in a foreign land.

Volunteers get a living allowance, medical and dental care, transportation and $6,075 when their duty is done.

“Employers see Peace Corps on a resume, they take a long look. Here’s someone that’s going to get it done,” Aguirre said.

For Paula Kelley-Clarke, who has been an Everett Community College instructor and a member of the Everett School Board, cultural bonds forged in Bahrain three decades ago still serve her today.

After the Persian Gulf War in 1991, she worked through the college and the Snohomish County Refugee Forum with Iraqis new to this country.

“I have great friendships in the local Iraqi community. Because I had that Middle Eastern experience and speak a very tiny bit of Arabic, I was given a lot of trust,” said Paula Kelley-Clarke, who taught psychology at a university in Bahrain while in the Peace Corps.

Her future husband was in Manama, the capital, with the ministry of housing, doing budget and census work.

Nesse not only met his wife, Sheila, in the Peace Corps, he got to know himself better.

“You learn to be at peace with yourself, and in some cases to really rely on yourself to get through the day,” Nesse said. He taught high school history and geography in Ethiopia.

“I was out in the sticks, she was in the capital city (Addis Ababa),” he said. The couple married before returning home.

After graduation from Pacific Lutheran University, Nesse said joining the Peace Corps “seemed like the thing to do.” He’d been inspired by Kennedy.

There were hardships – no electricity or refrigeration – and Nesse was treated for tapeworms when he returned. But “I never regretted it,” he said. “People can do something real to make this a better world.”

Nesse would recommend the Peace Corps to any young person, although his own son served his country by serving six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. “In this world, we need both,” Nesse said.

Beyond providing professional abilities to developing countries, the Peace Corps “exposes them to us and us to them,” Jeff Kelley-Clark said.

“The Peace Corps’ goal is to bring the face of America overseas,” Aguirre said.

In this world, friendly American faces sure can’t hurt.

Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlsteinjulie@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.