Georgia College alumna finds happiness helping others

Georgia College graduate Britton Tuck-Boutwell had never played tug-of-war for her lunch before spending the summer in Kakamega, Kenya, where she interned at a dispensary. 

One day, Britton brought her lunch of peanut butter on mandazi, a traditional Kenyan fried bread, to work and was shocked when a monkey snatched her lunch.

“The clinic where I worked was in the forest,” she said, “so we were surrounded by monkeys. They’re not afraid of people. They just come right in looking for food.”  

Luckily, Britton managed to win her lunch back from the animal.  

“That’s probably the weirdest cultural experience I had,” she said.
Britton’s road to Kenya was a long one. Originally from Cochran, Ga., Britton earned an associate degree at Middle Georgia College before transferring to Georgia College to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Because she enjoyed working at a pharmacy in her hometown, Britton decided to major in prepharmacy, but she soon decided that the program wasn’t the right fit for her.  

“It wasn’t as hands-on as I wanted,” she said.  “What I really love is human interaction.  I knew I didn’t want a regular nine to five job.”

Britton joined a Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization in Milledgeville. Spending time with her “little sister” Britton realized that the key to her own happiness was helping others, and she changed her course of study to community health.  
“I fell in love with it immediately!” she said.

Britton always knew she wanted to study outside of the United States. Looking for opportunities to study abroad, she visited the International Studies office frequently, where she met Liz Havey.  

“I could go to her any time,” Britton said.  “She was always sending me links, telling me who I should talk to, finding opportunities for me.  She was very supportive.”  

Britton discovered an internship opportunity with the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Kakamega, Kenya.  She is the first Georgia College student accepted into this three-month program.  

In Kenya Britton discovered the need for health education and began to develop a health education curriculum for 10 local public schools. She created manuals for the teachers and traveled on foot to each school to provide current information about prevalent health problems including HIV/AIDS.  

Although Britton lived for three months without any of the amenities most people enjoy in the United States, Britton calls her time in Kenya “the highlight of my life.”

Britton graduated from Georgia College in December with a bachelor’s degree in Community Health and Human Services.  On Feb. 9, she was sworn in as an Americorps VISTA in Baldwin County where she will serve a full year of national community service.  

She also works at the Oconee Prevention Resource Council as a coordinator of two youth groups, the Super Stars and the A-Team, which focus on substance abuse prevention.  

Britton volunteers as a facilitator with the Oconee Suicide Prevention Coalition where she trains community members in dealing with potential suicide cases.

“I am feeling great about my job,” said Britton, “and I could not have asked for anything more perfect for me at this time in my life!”

Britton recently returned to Georgia College to speak during the Theatre Department’s symposium on human rights.  Britton hoped to create awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic on a global level by presenting information about her experience working with HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya.

Britton plans to earn graduate degrees in Sustainable Development and Public Health.  She and her husband also intend to join the Peace Corps for at least two years and work abroad together, hopefully in Africa.  

For more information about Britton’s work in Kenya or here in Milledgeville, please visit her blog at www.tuckba.wordpress.com.