Digging Latrines Across México
by Cole Shaw

Are you going to be digging latrines? That was the most popular question people asked me when I told them that I was going to México with the Peace Corps. While that stereotype may still ring true in some countries, Peace Corps has evolved greatly from the early 1960's. Now, volunteers are just as likely to set up computer labs as they are to teach communities about proper water sanitation. As an Electrical Engineer with a graduate degree from Michigan, I wound up in México, where I am working with a federal research and development organization to transfer their technology to local businesses.

Michigan has quite an illustrious history with the Peace Corps, being one of only seven schools to have sent over 2,000 alumni to serve. In 1960, during a brief campaign speech on the Michigan Union steps, John F. Kennedy challenged Michigan students to dedicate several years of service abroad to help those in developing countries. JFK's short speech planted a seed in the minds of college students around the United States, and the challenge he issued quickly developed into the Peace Corps after his inauguration. A plaque was later placed on the Michigan Union steps to commemorate his campaign speech. Every Central Campus tour mentions this plaque and the Michigan connection to the Peace Corps, perhaps to give prospective and incoming freshmen a flavor of Michigan tradition. In 2008, Michigan had 82 active volunteers—good enough for 5th amongst large schools, but a whopping 7 volunteers behind Michigan State.

I had contemplated applying to the Peace Corps during my last year at Michigan, but at the time I did not take the leap. After graduating in 2005, I took a job with one of the Department of Energy National Laboratories and started my engineering career. In mid-2008, I got an itch to follow a different path. I contemplated a lot of options, including getting an MBA or other advanced degree. I realized that my long-term goals would be better served if I just went out and dug latrines. Or taught people how to use computers. Or mentored local youth. I wanted to get out into the world, immerse myself in a new culture, and help people on a more personal basis. I was inspired by stories like that of Alejandro Toledo, whose encounters with Peace Corps volunteers at age 16 led him to a course of study in the United States and eventually the presidency of his native Peru. I decided that I needed to take the leap before life caught up with me, and I submitted my Peace Corps application in May 2008.

When I found out in October 2008 that I was invited to serve in México, I was very excited. The México program breaks almost all of the Peace Corps stereotypes, as it tends to recruit professionals with years of work experience. The average age of volunteers for our program is in the mid-40´s, while the average age for Peace Corps worldwide is in the mid-20´s. In addition, we work with more high-level, federal Méxican agencies. Technical volunteers work with CONACYT, environmental volunteers work with SEMARNAT, and business volunteers span both organizations.

In March 2009, our group of 16 volunteers arrived in México as the 7th group of this very young Peace Corps program. We spent the next three months in pre-service training, where we learned the Spanish language, immersed ourselves in the local culture, and gained a high-level overview of the state of science and technology in México. In pre-service training, all of the volunteers lived with host families, who took care of us and helped us adjust to the culture. As soon as I walked into my host family's house, I saw a Michigan magnet on the fridge! The first Peace Corps México volunteer that lived with my family four years ago was also a Michigan alum, and I knew that I had been matched with the perfect family.

During pre-service training, the staff joked with us that we would all have to learn how to dig latrines for personal use, if nothing else. Months after moving to my permanent site, where I will serve for two years, I still have not dug any latrines. But as a Michigan engineer, I know that I could dig a darn good latrine that all Michigan alumni would be proud of.