Bill Hansen of Grand Marais has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Uganda at the end of the month. There, he will live and work with the local people for two years, learning another language, making new friends and playing new music. Photo courtesy Bill Hansen
At an age when most men are looking to play some golf or just recline in an easy chair with a book and cup of java, Bill Hansen has decidedly gone the other way.
Bill Hansen, 66, of Grand Marais, has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Uganda on May 30, 2019, to begin training as a business development advisor volunteer.
“I have wanted to serve in the Peace Corps since President Kennedy created the program when I was 7 years old,” said Hansen.
Prior to joining the Peace Corps, Hansen owned Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, Inc., in Tofte. Before retiring from the outfitters, Bill served as the county DFL chair, and volunteered on numerous boards and committees while he and his wife raised a family. During his free time Bill also played music with any number of bands, performing throughout the county, often for benefits.
During the first three months of his service, Hansen will live with a host family in Uganda to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the necessary skills to assist his community, Hansen will be sworn into service and assigned to a community in Uganda, where he will live and work for two years with the local people.
“I hope to achieve a deeper understanding of a culture different than my own,” said Hansen. “I’m excited to be learning another language, making new friends and learning new music,” he said.
Hansen will work in cooperation with the local people and partner organizations on sustainable, community based development projects that improve the lives of people in Uganda.
Hansen joins the 214 Minnesota residents currently serving in the Peace Corps and more than 7,079 Minnesota residents who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.
About volunteers in Uganda:
There are more than 150 volunteers in Uganda working with their communities on projects in agriculture, education and health. During their service in Uganda, volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Acholi, Ateso, Dhophadola, Lango, Luganda, Lugbara, Lusoga, Runyakore and Runyoro. More than 1,770 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Uganda since the program was established in 1964.
About the Peace Corps:
The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development and agriculture, the environment and youth development. Through their Peace Corps experience, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today’s global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 235,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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