Jean Margaritis
My life path seemed to take me directly to the work of The G.R.O. Foundation.  During my undergraduate studies in anthropology, I focused heavily on the shape and transformation of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.  I found the situation so compelling that I signed up for the US Peace Corps in 2004 and requested to be sent to southern Africa.  When I received my assignment as an HIV/AIDS to Lesotho, I was ecstatic even though I knew very little about the small mountain kingdom.  I was fortunate enough to live with a Basotho family for two years and experience the beautiful culture of Lesotho.  In those two years, I was surrounded by the reality of HIV/AIDS and saw very intimately how devastating the disease is to community.  It was this experience that propelled me pursue my Masters degree in Social Development and Health from the Institute of International Health and Development at Queen Margaret University in the UK.  After completing my studies, I returned to Lesotho to complete my thesis in participatory project development.   I am returning in December 2008 for one to two years to work with our local counterparts to develop and expand The G.R.O. Foundation’s projects in Lesotho.

Something keeps calling me back to Lesotho.  Perhaps it’s because of the strong bonds I have with the community, the pace of life, the red sand between my toes, or the sounds children laughing and the smells of homemade bread cooking over the wood fire.  Ultimately I return because of the people - because of our mutual commitments to work towards a better life for all.

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