Ashley Hockin, 22, of Goodrich, has been accepted into the Peace Corps and departed for Madagascar in February to begin training as an agriculture extension volunteer. Hockin will live and work at the community level to make a difference designing, implementing and evaluating programs focused on improving food security, such as agriculture-related practices, improving rice cultivation and production, crop and vegetable preservation, vegetable gardening, nutrition education, chicken farming, beekeeping and honey production.

 

“I’ve always enjoyed helping others, but I also believe there is much we can learn from the people we help,” Hockin said. “The Peace Corps is the perfect opportunity to do just that while seeing a bit of the world in the process.”

 

Hockin is a 2010 graduate of Goodrich High School in Goodrich and graduated from Michigan State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in global and area studies with an emphasis on international development.  

 

During the first three months of her service, Hockin will live with a host family in Madagascar to learn the local language and integrate into the local culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills that will help her make a lasting difference, Hockin will be sworn into service and assigned to a community in Madagascar where she will serve for two years.

 

Hockin will work in cooperation with the local people and partner organizations on sustainable, community-based development projects that improve the lives of people in Madagascar and help Hockin develop leadership, technical and cross-cultural skills.

 

Hockin joins the 233 Michigan residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 7,107 Michigan residents have served as volunteers since the agency was created in 1961.