Peace Corps Community News

Mauritania: Dr. Ken Lajoie

Dr. Ken Lajoie (86-88) recently began practicing at the Salisbury Family Clinic in Adelaide, South Australia. A native of New Hampshire, he studied art and microbiology at the University of New Hampshire, received his master’s degree in public health from Boston University and did residency training in family medicine at Maine-Dartmouth.

Mauritania: Jessica Farmer

President George W. Bush recently honored Jessica Farmer (95-97) for her excellence as a federal employee. For the past eight years the Sioux Falls, SD, native has worked at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, most recently as a relationship manager for the structured and project finance division. In her position, Farmer has worked with companies in Mexico, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries in Asia, Latin America and Central America. She holds a master’s degree in emerging economics from Columbia University.

Mauritania: Matthew Britton

Matthew Britton recently accepted a position as a public diplomacy officer with the U.S. Department of State. He begins his training in early March and will be sworn in on April 18 in Washington, DC. Britton received his degree in graphic design from the University of Tulsa.

Mauritania: Madeline England

Master’s degree candidate Madeline England has taken her studies to Sri Lanka.  She is pursuing her degree in Internal Affairs from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs but is stationed in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to do so.  England has joined The Advocacy Project, a non-governmental organization that partners with other NGOs around the world to promote social justice. Her fellowship is with Home for Human Rights, an organization that provides medical and psychosocial rehabilitation for torture victims, investigates human rights violations and helps victims receive compensation.