By Patrick Baron

NORMAL – The first-ever graduate of Illinois State University’s Peace Corps Prep program is gearing up to make a difference in the lives of others.

Undergraduate Sabrina Jaffer won’t cross the graduation stage until May, but one month after she receives her diploma she’ll be heading off for 3 months of training with the Peace Corp.

While initially surprised the turnaround is so soon, Sabrina explains she’s excited about getting out in the world to help people.

“I just always want to be giving back,” Sabrina said. “I’ve been really, really blessed with opportunities in my life, so I always really want to give back to other people and help other people.”

An Elementary Education major, Sabrina will be teaching English as a second language in Malawi, a country in South Africa. She plans on living there for two years.

However, Sabrina is already an experienced volunteer. Speaking with WJBC’s Susan Saunders, Sabrina recalls her family’s efforts in Haiti to assist in earthquake clean-up.

“My family has done mission work in Haiti since I was 15 and so we’ve worked with a lot of orphanages, schools, things like that,” “They really wanted to open my eyes and my sister’s eyes to what’s going on in the world.”

Sabrina said approximately 22,000 applications are turned in each year for 4,000 positions within the Peace Corps.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].