updated February 6, 2007

After sharing experiences throughout their childhood in Oregon and attending the same college, Bryce and Chester Clark have now shared international experiences as Peace Corps teachers in Africa.

Bryce Clark teaches one of his physics classes in Dodoma, Tanzania, in eastern Africa.

How You Can Help Chester Clark identifies the following ways for people to help Namibia schoolchildren: Library Books: Books, suitable for reading by students in grades 1-7, are needed for libraries. The shipping cost is approximately $60 for 60 books. Computer Software: A new computer laboratory is one of the few high-tech facilities at the primary school level. There is a need for relevant, up-to-date software for grades 1-7. Internet Pen Pals: Clark is trying to establish email correspondence between students of similar age (elementary and middle school) in Namibia and America. People interested in assisting Clark can contact him at Chester.Clark@gmail.com.

And, the adventures may just be beginning.

Bryce (Mech. Eng., ‘02) spent two years teaching advanced-level physics at a government-sponsored secondary school in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, in eastern Africa. He was the inspiration for Chester (Mech. Eng., ‘05) to spend the past year as a primary school teacher in Rehoboth, Namibia, in southern Africa.

“In general, I’m a person who enjoys helping people,” admits Chester, who has attempted to bring stability in the region by teaching math, computers and English to students in grades 1-7. “As a Peace Corps volunteer I’m able to use my engineering degree in a unique way that helps people directly.”

Started in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps strives to promote world peace and friendship by helping train men and women in underprivileged countries. The organization also helps Americans better understand people of other regions.

Schools in Namibia battle a lack of resources, corruption and little quality teaching. A new computer laboratory, with 38 computers, and a school library help open new worlds for Chester’s students -- despite having outdated computer software and weathered books. The country also has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world with an infection rate around 30 percent.

“Simply knowing that I’m trying to help where there is an obvious need is satisfying in its self,” says Chester, who was a resident assistant and involved in projects for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and March of Dimes at Rose-Hulman. “I believe that the essence of engineering is problem solving for a better solution. It’s satisfying to know at the end of the day that I tried to make a positive difference.”

Students in Bryce Clark's physics class complete a pendulum experiment.

Bryce knows this lesson well. Several of the 750 boys that he taught over two years have continued their education, hoping to become computer engineers, civil engineers, teachers and physicians -- professionals who are in great demand throughout Tanzania. One student received a full scholarship to attend an American college.

“I’d like to think that I played a small role,” he said. Bryce taught 125 students at a time in one classroom. There weren’t enough desks or chairs for everyone. "I figured the Peace Corps would give me some time (after graduating from Rose-Hulman) to reflect on my career choices. It would also give me the opportunity to travel and learn a new culture."

Since returning to the U.S., Bryce has continued serving others. He used a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Fellowship to earn a nursing degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, and is now working 12-hour days as a nurse at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. He plans to earn an advanced degree in nursing with the possibility of returning to Africa further help the country’s residents.

"It would be great if I can combine my engineering, teaching and nursing backgrounds in whatever I decide to do," said Bryce, who earned a minor in biomedical engineering at Rose-Hulman.

Meanwhile, Chester is also looking for other avenues to help others in an international setting. After expanding his engineering education, he’s considering a career in the renewable energy field.

"Large- and small-scale renewable energies could play an important role in developing countries,” Chester said. “Namibia is one of the sunniest countries in the world. Months will go by without a single cloud in the sky, making it an ideal situation for the use of solar power."