Therese Abalo wanted to join the Peace Corps. But, they politely said thanks, but no thanks — she lacked experience and didn’t have a college degree.

Abalo countered saying she has a ton of experience doing volunteer work. Peace Corps responded “that’s great, but it’s still not enough,” she recalled.

“So what do I have to do to get into the Peace Corps?” she asked them.

Abalo said they told her if she got experience in some sector agriculture it would enhance her chances of getting into the Peace Corps. And they told her beekeepers are greatly needed around the world.

“I said ‘OK’. I really want to do this.”

So, Abalo began researching the topic and took a job with a Healdsburg beekeeper April Lance.

Five months into immersing herself in beekeeping, Abalo went back to Peace Corps and told them what she was doing.

Now, after one and half years, the Napan who is originally from New Jersey is getting ready for the journey of her life — as a Peace Corps member, who will use her beekeeping knowledge in Paraguay. She leaves Sept. 22. Abalo will receive three months of training and then work for two years in the South American country, where she will live with a host family.

Abalo, 24, said the Peace Corps told her she is the only person in two years who took them up on the beekeeping project and came back.

“I was told only 5 percent of the 8,000 members don’t have college degrees,” Abalo said.

Most of those who don’t have degrees have experience in agriculture or business, which is useful in the Peace Corps.

Why do this? “It’s an amazing experience and it’s just beginning for me. And, I enjoy diversity. I’m a go-getter.” Abalo said.

After Abalo completes her service in the Peace Corps she is hoping it will be her springboard for a full-time job with a non-profit organization.

In Napa, she volunteers at CASA and Napa Valley Bird Clinic and in New Jersey she was a reader for the blind. She is on the board of Horizon, a Vacaville group that brings theater, dance and arts to underprivileged youth.

“I really love (beekeeping). It was intimidating at first. I’ve been stung, but bees are really gentle,” Abalo said.

And she has learned a lot about bees. For example, she said bees are not native to California or the United States. They were imported here from Europe.

The predominate bee variety Abalo is working with is the Italian honey bee. In Paraguay she will be handling Africanized honey bees, which tend to be more defensive, Abalo said.

In the South American country, beekeepers may only work a hive two or three times a year. Because hives aren’t being monitored frequently, deadly diseases can wipe out populations of bees.

At the same time, hives shouldn’t be disturbed too often because it stresses the bees.

Abalo said she will be living in a very rural and very poor village. “There is no running water and there are hand dug wells.” She has not been told where she will be working.

In Paraguay, Abalo will live with a host family. “I could live on my own, but it is not normal for a single girl to live on their own.”

While in South America, Abalo will immerse herself in their culture. She also anticipates taking on additional projects — maybe HIV education.

She will leave behind her mom, Rebecca (Weatherbee) Abalo, dad Manuel, an older brother Manuel, 27, and a younger sister Elizabeth, 19.

“I have a supportive family. They’ve been awesome about the whole thing.”

The majority of people in the village where she will work don’t have cars. People get around by bicycle, bus or horse.

Participants can join the Peace Corps for five years maximum. The organization is in 27 countries. The group does not go to any country where they are not invited.

Beekeeper April Lance described Abalo as being “head and shoulders above a lot of the others ... based on her agricultural experience.”

Lance said Abalo will be teaching women to harvest the honey and wax from bee hives. “She will be working with women who have no income. This will give them a career and income.”

Lance said there are a lot of countries that can benefit from Abalo’s beekeeping skills.

“As a person, Therese is a pretty mature young woman. She knew what she wanted. She didn’t give up,” Lance said. “She’s a sharp gal.”

Lance believes Abalo will do just fine. “I think this might open doors wider for others who don’t have a formal education. I think she is going to be very successful.”

“Beekeeping is a very old science. This is a very good skill. If she is able to have a great program — and I believe she will — Peace Corps may recognize how important this is for every country,” Lance said.

Peace Corps is enjoying a surge in applicants. “We are experiencing our highest numbers in 37 years,” said Nathan Sargent, public affairs specialist with Peace Corps. Applications are up 14 percent from last year and for people 50, or older, it is up 59 percent

Sargent said Peace Corps has launched a campaign at the Baby Boomers “who are looking at not retiring, but for an encore career.”

Currently there are 11 people from Napa in the Peace Corps and one from Calistoga. Their ages range from their mid-20s to their mid-50s.

Since 1961, 149 Napa County residents have served in Peace Corps, according to Sargent.

Information

For more information about Peace Corps, call 1-800-424-8580 or go to their Web site www.peacecorps.gov