About Liz Warden
“Our answer to the world’s hope is to rely on youth … not a time of life, but a state of mind, a temper of will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over a life of ease.” –Robert F. Kennedy, South Africa, 1966
Sanibonani! Liz Warden here. I am 23-years-old and hail from Half Moon Bay, Calif., a small-town-USA-type-of-place along the Pacific Coast Highway outside of San Francisco. I went to school with the same people from elementary to high school, which urged me to get out of the small town bubble and see other people and cultures. I am also an only child with minimal family, which has shaped me to be an individualistic and determined person.
These are just some of the factors that made me decide as far back as elementary school that I wanted to be a journalist. Meeting all different kinds of people, always on-the-go, not staying in one place for too long, working with people with a similar – dry – sense of humor and writing for a living – what could be better? You also can’t forget that journalism, historically, has been a “public service” profession: Exposing injustices to the greater public, being a “watchdog,” holding politicians and others accountable for their words are just a few ideas that intrigued me about the profession.
But most of all what inspired me to go to j-school at the University of Southern California was that someday I could draw attention to social issues – especially those underrepresented in the U.S. and internationally – through my reporting.
And sure, I can do that. I already have with some of my work. But the real question is: Does drawing attention to social issues actually motivate the readers to take action and do something about them? Maybe, maybe not.
That’s why I’m eager to put my reporter’s notebook on my bookshelf for good, ditch objectivity and actually fight social issues I’ve reported on previously or learned about. My post-undergraduate years will be dedicated to national and international service.
This blog follows my journey serving in the U.S. with AmeriCorps for a year and for 27 months abroad with the Peace Corps.
Last year, I helped #makebetterhappen with City Year at Markham Middle School in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles as part of the 2011 corps.
Now, I am a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa (this country is seriously a journalist’s paradise and fascinates me every day). I am known as “Mpho” or “Miss Mathebula” in the village and live in the Battlefield Region of the KwaZulu-Natal province. I am a grade 5 English teacher in South Africa as part of the Schools and Community Resource Project.
I write and serve with the intention of experiencing and sharing a culture different from my own and with the goal of learning something new from every single person I write about. I am a firm believer that everybody on this earth has an interesting story to tell.
I plan to keep writing for Liz in Service even after the Peace Corps because I know whatever career I end up with, it WILL be in the public service sector. Hence, for the rest of my life I will always be “Liz in Service”.
I serve because I believe one person can have an impact on this world, even if it means just making a difference in one other person’s life. I serve to better understand humanity and the world we live in. I serve because I believe that the right to an equal education is the civil rights issue of my generation.
I may be young, but I am strong. And I will make a difference.
Fight On!
Yours in Service,
Liz
I got this tattoo on my wrist (a line from the poem “Hold Fast to Dreams” by Langston Hughes) after my college graduation to give me a daily reminder that I can never give up on my dreams and what I want in life. Passion is what drives me.
I love what you stand for Liz, I think you will really go far.
You go girl!
Dear Liz,
One of the best definitions of morality I ever read (to paraphrase): to act in a moral way is “to change things in reality for others.”
– Emile Durkheim
Thanks for becoming the kind of person who makes good things take place — who works to change things in reality for others.
hi my name is kayla thaoms i go to markham middle school i first wana thank you for the painted morals you guys did a wonderful job i wanna thank you guys for making a diffrence at markham you guys are a great impact on me i see you everyday i pass bye you i try sending you a message name is kaylavsparker on twitter thank you for all you have done hope you share this with the rest of the city year so mr clark can get mad so and ms leslie shim thank you i wann let you know i apprecite you and i notice you guys making a difference everyday thank you
Hi! Great site. I am in the same boat as you it seems. I’ve been nominated to be an ESL teacher, and the same person emailed me about leaving at the end of June 2012. That means, as you’ve already discovered, Benin or The Gambia! I’ve been medically, dentally, and legally cleared now, so I’m patetiently waiting for an invitation in the mail. Who knows, we could both end up in the same country! Good luck, Martin
Hi! I’m heading to The Gambia on the 26th as a Primary teacher trainer! Have you found out where you’ll be yet? I just got my invite about a week ago. Good luck if you’re still waiting!
Best of luck to you! I have not found out where I’ll be yet, but The Gambia sounds like an amazing place to serve. Hopefully I’ll be joining you!
I stumbled on your blog after googling “peace corps staging” after reading your post I realized that something about your blog seemed familiar. I then realized that I was sent your blog last year while you were in CY because your team leader was a CYDC alum. I was a TL her corps year. I say all if that to say that I will be leaving for PC in Swaziland in June and it is good to see CY alums in PC. The world is truly a small place, good luck!
Charisse
CYDC 09-11
Thanks for stopping by, it’s always good to hear from other CY alums in the Peace Corps! Yup Lauren Greenawalt was my team leader. I’ve seen plenty of videos of her Kimball kids in DC!
Congrats on Swaziland! It’s pretty similar to SA culturally etc so if you have any packing questions feel free to ask me.
I am planning on going to City Year South Africa’s Nelson Mandela service day in July, but you’ll be in PST during that time….maybe there will be other opportunities to visit CYSA if you’re interested.
Good luck getting ready for the journey!