Published: July 05, 2007 11:04 am      

Ada native joins Peace Corps in Burkina Faso

ADA — Heather Dawn Harrison Ponzer, 24, the daughter of Kenny and Rhonda Harrison who now reside in Liberty, Mo., has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will be serving in Burkina Faso with her husband, Jonathan Ponzer.

Ponzer departed for Burkina Faso on June 7 to become a girls education and empowerment Peace Corps Volunteer.

A graduate of Ada High School, she attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, graduating in 2006. Ponzer, formerly Harrison, married Jonathan Ponzer in 2004 and the couple has since participated in a mission trip to Vietnam.

“Peace Corps is an opportunity to give your service to others that have not been as fortunate as you,” said Ponzer. “I also want to promote a better understanding of Americans in other cultures.”

This will not be Ponzer’s first time living abroad. As a youth, Ponzer lived in Malawi where she learned the true worth of cross-cultural communication.

“I see the value of being a part of a global community,” said Ponzer, “and feel a responsibility to help that community.”

During the first three months of her service, Ponzer will live with a host family in Burkina Faso to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture.  After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist her community, Ponzer will serve for two years in Burkina Faso, living in a manner similar to people in her host country.

Ponzer joins the 78 Oklahoma and 136 Missouri residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 1,113 Oklahoma and 2,757 Missouri residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

Currently, there are 124 volunteers serving in Burkina Faso, situated in western Africa.  Since the program’s start in 1966 over 1,400 have served there. Following an eight-year absence, Peace Corps volunteers returned to the nation in 1995 and assisted communities in the areas of health, education and business development.  All volunteers, regardless of sector, are trained in how to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. 

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Since 1961, more than 187,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served.  Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age.  Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.