Newton woman going to Morocco
Jennifer Jae Boyd, 23, of Newton has been accepted into the Peace Corps.
Boyd departed for Morocco on Monday to begin pre-service training as a small business development Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon graduation from Volunteer training in December, Boyd will be assisting Moroccans in rural areas to better their business practices, economic standing, and living standards.
Boyd is the daughter of William and Sandra Boyd and a graduate of Newton Senior High School. She then attended Central College in Pella where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in international management and French, graduating in 2007.
“I want to make a difference in the world,” said Boyd about her decision to join the Peace Corps. “I want to travel, live in another country, and learn another language while gaining valuable experience assisting another culture.”
During the first three months of her service, Boyd will live with a host family in Morocco to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist her community, Boyd will serve for two years in Morocco, living in a manner similar to people in her host country.
Boyd joins the 102 Iowa residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 2,006 Iowa residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.
Currently, there are 234 Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Morocco, making it the second largest Peace Corps program.
The Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently, there are 8,000 volunteers abroad, a 37-year high for volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where volunteers have served.
