COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
AMY GODSHALL
MOVING BEYOND HER COMFORT ZONE
L
andlocked between six countries in West Africa, Burkina Faso is known for its warm climate and strong dust storms. Its capital city, Ouagadougou, is home to more than 2 million people. The dusty streets are filled with people walking about, the buzzing of overloaded “motos” (motorcycles) crowding the roads, and the chatter of people selling peanuts and fruits. For AMY (BERGEY) GODSHALL ’16, Burkina is a country filled with hospitable people always eager to take care of one another. Burkina Faso means “Land of Honorable People.” Amy and her husband, Derek, work with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a Christian global nonprofit organization that serves others through relief, development and peace initiatives. “MCC really supports their workers.They take care of all of our basic needs, such as food, housing and transportation. There are two other couples working here with us as well,” she said. Amy wears two hats. She is the exchange program coordinator and also assists with development projects. In the exchange program, Amy helps volunteers from around the world find host families and placements within Burkina Faso, and helps them acclimate to the culture. She also helps the local Burkinabé find placements in other areas of the world.
30 SOUTHEASTERN Amy and Derek Godshall
“It’s been rewarding getting to know the people here. They are friendly, welcoming and hospitable.”
