Know Your GAD Committee, Spring 2017
Some of us are still 3 months fresh as GAD committee
members, and others of us are tipping our hats and closing service very soon.
But all of us have been constantly at work with our mission in mind: to
support, empower, and connect Peace Corps Volunteers and Moroccans as we work
to make young men and women equal and active participants in the development of
personal skills and of the whole community.
Learn more about
us as individuals (listed in alphabetical order by last name) below.
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Sarah Amer, Vice
Chairperson 2017
Salam! My name is
Sarah and I am the Peace Corps volunteer located in Moulay Idriss Zarhoune in
the Meknes-Fez region. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I am a first generation
Palestinian American. In the past, I have served as an Air Traffic Controller
for the United States Air Force. More recently, I completed my Master’s degree
in Applied Communication Theories and Methodologies with an emphasis on Women’s
Studies. The obstacles I have encountered throughout my life due to being
a female have pushed me to base my research on women’s empowerment as well as
play an active role in promoting global gender equality. I love GAD because it
gives me the opportunity to work with a diverse group of intelligent and
motivated individuals that come from all walks of life with the same hope of
spreading gender equality throughout the world.
Katie M. Bercegeay, Coordinating
Officer 2017
Greetings! I'm Katie Bercegeay, originally from the Cajun heartland in
south Louisiana by way of central Virginia. I'm now serving in a small,
charming mountain town an hour from Fes.
I have a Bachelor's degree in English as well as a Master's in
International Studies with a concentration on humanitarianism. Prior to Peace
Corps, I worked in stateside refugee resettlement coordinating volunteers,
donations, and external relations. I also have experience teaching English to
international students at the pre-university level.
For much of my life, I have been inspired by women and men alike who have done
incredible GAD work in both large-scale and everyday capacities. Now as a
member of the Peace Corps Morocco GAD committee, I look forward to being
inspired by the GAD work being done by my fellow PCVs and Moroccan
counterparts, friends, and students.
Shawn Dubberly, Representative + Blog
Master, Former Training Liaison 2016-2017
Hello, I’m Shawn but I often go with the Moroccan name given to
me--Shayma! I live with my husband near Essaouira. I call Ohio my home because
my parents live there, but I have lived in The Netherlands, China, Thailand and
all over the Navy ports in the USA. I love GAD because gender work can be
seamlessly incorporated into any type of Peace Corps program or sector:
environment, small business, youth development--gender inequality can and
should be addressed. I came into GAD in October of 2016 and focused my time on
the blog. My goals included making the blog active with consistent posts and
approachable to incoming volunteers by featuring success stories about everyday
gender work took challenges and struggles into account. Peace Corps has a
unique devotion to a grassroots approach. I can't wait to return to Morocco in
the future and see what has flourished.
Julie Feng, Representative,
Former Vice Chair 2016-2017
Hi, I’m Julie! I’m from Taipei, Taiwan and Seattle, Washington—and I’ve
added another heart home to the list—Settat, Morocco, where I currently live
with my husband and cat. I have a background in English education, creative
writing, and social justice. GAD has always been at the center of my youth
development work because it centers equality and empowerment. I strongly
believe in gender work from a global and intersectional lens, and I will always
be an unwavering advocate for marginalized voices.
Elizabeth Jay, Representative,
Former Secretary 2016-2017
Hi my name is Elizabeth. I’m known around Peace Corps as Lou. I have a
B.A. from DePauw University in Sociology and Anthropology with a minor in
French and an M.A. from the University of Indianapolis in Sociology with a
concentration in cross-cultural comparison. Before I came to Morocco I was a
professor at the University of Indianapolis; I taught Intro to Sociology and
Social Problems. Much of my academic background focused on women and society
cross-culturally. This greatly influenced my decision to join Peace Corps and
work with disadvantaged populations within the community, namely women.
Much of my work in my three years here in Morocco has been focused on the
empowerment of girls and women. After completing a Fitness Trainer TOT with my
counterpart, Fatima, we started a women’s health and aerobics class in our dar
chabab, or youth center. We empower the women to focus on their overall
health instead of body image through yoga, aerobics, kickboxing, and dance as
well as discussions about health and diet. I’m also working with a women’s
association in my community to hand-sew reusable feminine hygiene products that
can be sold throughout our region to promote a more economic, hygienic, and
environmentally-friendly alternative to disposable products, while also
promoting the growth of our association and its impact within our community.
I’m excited to be a part of the GAD committee to help other PCVs see how they
can do GAD work within their communities on a daily basis through conversations
and toolkits. I truly believe it’s the small things we do day in and day out
that make the biggest impact.
Kika Kaui, Representative,
Former Chairperson 2015-2017
Hi all! My name is Kika (which means cake in Darija) and I am volunteer in
Tiflet, a large site near Rabat. I have roots in Hawaii and Washington
State, and a background in both Human Rights and Physiology. As a GAD committee
member and Chair, I have been inspired and motivated by the incredible work
done by both Peace Corps staff and volunteers as well as external Moroccan
organizations, associations, and individuals.
I have been most proud of being a facilitator of the Gender Advocacy
Training in Fez and working to develop, update, and disperse GAD’s abundant
resources. In site, my primary projects are teaching English and women’s health
and fitness classes. In my free time, I love distance running, drinking coffee,
reading, and cooking with my husband.
Heyab-Mariam Ogbasion, Training & Reporting Officer 2017
Hello! My name is Heyab-Mariam Ogbasion, and I’m currently serving in a
large community on the outskirts of Errachidia. Although originally from
Memphis, Tennessee, I also call Washington, DC home <3. I’m a first
generation Eritrean-American, and growing up in the US with this identity has
motivated me to be active in my community, specifically on issues of gender empowerment
and equality.
I hold a Bachelor’s in Finance & International Business and more
recently a Master’s in Organizational Development, so it is safe to call me a
data and analytics geek! With that being said, I am super excited to
collaborate with PCVs, Moroccan counterparts, and PC staff as I fill the new
role of Training and Reporting Officer for the upcoming year. I’m confident of
our Staj 98 and the passion and expertise each of you bring towards GAD related
work.
Jessica Wamala, Chairperson 2017
Hey, Jess “Malak” Wamala here! I live in a city one hour from Fes. I
arrived in Morocco on the heels of finishing my research masters (Mphil) in
Modern Middle Eastern Studies as a Rhodes Scholar from the University of Oxford
and hold a second masters (M.A.) in Political Science from my undergraduate
alma mater Villanova University. As a global citizen, I have lived in or
travelled to 33 other countries for educational opportunities, business,
academic conferences, research, immersive learning and cultural exchange.
Passionate about gender empowerment, systems change, and diversity and
inclusion, I have advanced these issues for the U.S. State Department in
various capacities and published work on diversity in international affairs.
I bring a very energetic attitude and goal-oriented vision to my new position
as Chairperson of GAD, and I am excited to make GAD resources more accessible
and inclusive for both PCVs and Moroccans alike. I suspect this group of
hardworking women will surpass any expectations of professionalism,
approachability, and friendliness and I want everyone to know we are open to
feedback, collaboration, and innovation.
Feel free to contact the Gender and Development
committee at any time via: gadmaroc@gmail.com.
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Posted by Katie Bercegeay
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