Freeburg Resident Begins Peace Corps Service As Malaria Prevention Outreach Specialist

WASHINGTON — Penny Kessler of Freeburg, Illinois, has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Kenya on Aug. 9, 2026, to begin training as a malaria prevention outreach specialist.

Kessler, who previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda, Liberia and Rwanda, will work with community members to strengthen health education and malaria case management, according to the Peace Corps.

A 2018 graduate of New Mexico State University with a master’s degree in public health, Kessler said her previous service helped support her graduate education.

“As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I was eligible for the Coverdell Fellowship, which provided financial assistance for my master’s,” Kessler said. “This will be my fourth Peace Corps assignment. With each service, I learn more about cultures and want to experience more countries.”

Kessler is the daughter of Peggy Emery of Freeburg. She joins the 118 Illinois residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 8,958 Illinois residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

Peace Corps volunteers serve in host communities for two years after three months of training. They receive a living stipend, housing, extensive language and technical training, and financial benefits, including graduate school fellowships after service.

People interested in volunteering can apply online and learn more about service opportunities in 60 countries at peacecorps.gov.

The Peace Corps said it has sent nearly 250,000 volunteers to serve in 144 host countries since 1961.

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