By Jane Charmelo
Valeria Martinez of Elmhurst (front row, fourth from left) is serving in El Salvador with the Peace Corps. She also served for two years in Botswana.
Valeria Martinez has chosen a life of service, and most recently, that choice has led her to El Salvador, where she is working with the Peace Corps, helping promote tourism, economic development and youth leadership.
Martinez, who moved to Elmhurst at the age of 15, attended Marquette University in Wisconsin, where she graduated in 2020 with majors in biomedical science and Spanish.
Before joining the Peace Corps, she served with the Americorps City Year Program, which engages young adults in 11 months of full-time service; and with a non-profit organization, where she was a prevention specialist and taught sex education.
Martinez said she served in Botswana from 2022-24, where she worked in public health, in part linking people to HIV services, and also helping with health screenings.
She also worked with youth in “junior secondary” school, like our version of middle school.
In that capacity, she taught life skills with the help of a guidance counselor, such as developing healthy relationships, financial literacy and goal-setting.
Martinez, who spoke from El Salvador by video, said she believes her degree in biomedical science became useful in Botswana.
She said she had thought about going to medical school, but decided that her degree led to “a whole other area of health; public health, a very expansive field to work in.”
“It really prepared me for the work I do now,” Martinez added.
She recounted how the people she worked with in Botswana were “very open, very welcoming.”
Tamim Choudhury, Peace Corps Public Affairs specialist, explained that volunteers go through extensive training to “learn the language, culture and customs” of the host country, adding that recipients of Peace Corps services are generally “very welcoming and grateful.”
Now in El Salvador with the first group of volunteers to return since 2016, Martinez can put her Spanish skills to work as well, saying she grew up speaking Spanish. The El Salvador spot had just reopened, so “the alignment just worked out.”
According to the Peace Corps, her group is one that is extending their service for a third year, to “bring their knowledge and experience to support local priorities in community economic development, education and youth initiatives.”
Martinez said she will be working with local economic development and youth while there.
She mentioned that these initiatives were at the request of the El Salvador government.
In fact, said Choudhury, “We go in [to countries] when governments abroad want us to go in,” at their invitation, adding that the Peace Corps began working with El Salvador in 1962
He also noted that Martinez and other volunteers will be focusing on community economic development such as “teaching people basic financial literacy skills,” while at the same time teaching literacy skills to local youth.
According to the Peace Corps, a signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was marked by optimism and determination as the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to world peace and friendship.
“The Salvadoran community has opened its hearts and homes to Peace Corps volunteers and have not only been partners in grassroots initiatives but have also forged deep and lasting friendships,” commented Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn on the website. “This moment heralds a new chapter and we’re excited to renew our partnership with the people of El Salvador.”
Choudhury noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, “All volunteers [worldwide] were evacuated,” estimating that over 7,000 volunteer were sent back to the United States.
Some have not returned to volunteer service, however, but he highlighted how Martinez, after already serving for two years, signed up for another year of service.
“She has committed to another year,” Choudhury pointed out. “That shows real dedication,” which he said is “helping us rebuild that pipeline” to the countries where the Peace Corps is established—but put on hold due to the pandemic—57 posts in 61 countries, he stated.
When asked why she chose the Peace Corps, Martinez responded, “I’ve always been into volunteering,” for which she has had “amazing support.”
“And, she added, “I think I was interested in the whole cultural aspect of it all.”
As part of a three-way video conversation, Choudhury praised Martinez, telling her, “You guys are doing fantastic work.”
About the Peace Corps
The Peace Corps, founded by President John F. Kennedy, was officially established on March 1, 1961, and more than 240,000 Americans have served.
Volunteers, who must be at least 18 years old, serve for two years, after three months of in-country training. They receive a living allowance to live similarly to the individuals in the communities they serve, and are able to receive medical and dental care during their service., according to Choudhury.
Areas where Peace Corps volunteers serve include education, environment, community economic development, agriculture and youth in development.
Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.
