Sihya A. Smith

Health and Community Development Volunteer (Peace Corps Rwanda 2010-2012)

Sihya began working with the Access Project in May 2010. She is assisting the DHA in Nyamata and the Bugesera District, focusing on IT, health infrastructure development and pharmacy management. During her two years of service, Sihya plans to conduct projects and trainings to help health center staff develop computer skills and strengthen infrastructure and pharmacy inventory management.

Before joining the Peace Corps, Sihya worked with Denver’s Rape Assistance and Awareness Program (RAAP) in their community outreach and fundraising department. She spent 5.5 years working extensively with various non-profit environmental organizations in fund raising and grass-roots community organizing and completed a year of service with Volunteer Maryland, an Americorps Program, where she worked with Lutheran Social Services in their refugee and immigrant service department to establish volunteer programs and management curriculum. Sihya graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Alabama, where she received her B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Women’s Studies. While attending university, she worked extensively with the Habitat for Humanity University Chapter, where she actively participated in building Alabama’s first Habitat for Humanity zero-sum energy green home.