The other day, I had the chance to interview a man by the name of Gary Wicks. I had talked to him about his experience with being in the Peace Corp during the year 1977 to 1979. I had asked him questions and these are his responses. These pictures are the pictures he took when he was in the Ivory Coast.
How old were you when you had joined the Peace Corp? “I was 22 years 3 months old when I left for Peace Corps service in July 1977 and 24 years 6 months old when I completed service 27 months later.”
What did you do to help? “I worked as a Wildlife Biologist and National Park Planner in the Mont Sangbé National Park in western Côte d’Ivoire. Côte d’Ivoire gained its independence from France in 1960 and at the time had set aside about 6 areas around the country as national parks (to preserve its natural heritage and develop potential sources (tourism) of national income). Most of the parks existed on paper only. The country lacked a sufficient number of trained biologists to do the required preliminary studies/work, so recruited them through Peace Corps’ Environmental program.”
What was your experience with being there and helping? “I spent a lot of time in the park doing preliminary wildlife studies, which included carrying out wildlife censuses and making species lists of birds and mammals in the park. As we discussed I studied the hippopotamus in the two major rivers in the park. I also did human impact studies to include the amount and type of poaching going on in and around the park, and the nature and extent of agriculture activity in the park. More generally, I informally helped people in my community to learn a little English, and spent a lot of time just integrating into my community, visiting and sharing meals and activities with my neighbors and friends.”
What made you want to join the Peace Corp? “When I was in middle school (late 1960s) my social studies teacher walked into class one day and announced that he had a special treat for us…he was going to show us the slides he took while a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines several years earlier I watched the slides and listened to his presentation, and was hooked. I made the decision right then and there that I was going to join the Peace Corps after graduating from college. And sure enough, I graduated from college in May 1977 and was in Cote d’Ivoire training for the Peace Corps in July 1977. I had applied early in my senior year, was accepted and left for service a couple months after graduating.”
What impact did it have on you after your service? “It was life defining for me. I met my wife—an Ivorian national—during my service. We have been married 34 years now. I also began to see my country, myself, the world and my role and my country’s role in the world from a different perspective. More empathetic and understanding. I saw how similar we all are. I learned that happiness and success is not measured by material wealth or the accumulation of consumer goods but through interactions with others. People I met and worked with in and around the park had very, very little, but freely and happily shared what little they had with me and others. It was (and is) incredible to see and experience.”
Finally, what would I say to those who are interested in joining Peace Corps? “In her video that you watched, Sarah Jennen said her advice to those even thinking of joining the Peace Corps was what "Nike" says in its advertisements...."Just do it! I wholeheartedly support that advice. "Just do it!" At least look into it.”
I’m happy that I was able to talk to him for he was so passionate about the Peace Corp. It’s an experience anyone should have and it’s an honor to do so.