In less than two weeks, Olivier Paris-Leclerc will head to the Islamic nation of Mauritania in West Africa as an environmental educator for the Peace Corps. Olivier spent three months at ECHO in the fall of 2006, learning about tropical agriculture and studying different growing techniques. He plans to put his agricultural knowledge to good use, teaching villagers how to set-up a school garden and bringing seeds like moringa and chaya to his African home for the next two years.
In between his studies at ECHO and the beginning of his Peace Corps assignment, Olivier embarked on a three month trek across Peru. He saw the ruins of Machu Picchu, traveled along the Amazon, and hiked the Inca trail.
He was impressed by the warmth of the people he met along his journey and hopes to visit again when his Peace Corps assignment is complete. For the time being, Olivier’s South American adventure has whetted his appetite for overseas travel, and he is excited to begin his time in Mauritania.
