Leah Ganj-Bakhsh, who is a member of IAM Local 2110 in Milwaukee, WI, has received an invitation to work as a Peace Corp Health Information Communication Technology Advisor in Ethiopia. Leah proudly said, "I'm excited to serve in the Peace Corp as it will complete my personal trifecta of service: Military service, Americorps (I was a Public Ally in 2008-'09) and now Peace Corp service."
IAM Local 2110 member Leah Ganj-Bakhsh
Leah continued saying, "I've been interested in Peace Corps since college. The idea of traveling to a far off place, learning a new language, a new culture, and finding a way to make a positive difference always appealed to me. As I was serving in the Army Reserves, I wasn't eligible to apply until my contract was up in February of 2009. Last year seemed like the right time to apply, so I applied in August and started the long process.
Ganj-Bakhsh filled out the initial paperwork,submitted it and then was asked to go for an interview in Chicago. A great moment followed when she received a phone call from her recruiter saying he had nominated her for a position.Then came the placement phone call this March and her dream came true.
"I'm often asked what my long term goals are and my answer is always the same," said Ganj-Bakhsh. "To serve my community somehow, some way. I look forward to serving my new community in Eithopia. It will be an experience unlike any other. life changing."
The service is for 27 month which includes 3 months of training and then 24 month at a site in Ethiopia. Leah leaves for her new assignment on May 23, 2011.
Leah currently works at WRTP / BIG STEP, a workforce development nonprofit, in Milwaukee, WI doing communications work. She is the editor of the IAM District 10 website and has been an IAM member since July of 2009.
