Jacqueline (Jackie) Coolidge served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana from 1980 to 1982 as a middle school teacher. Following initial training in Colorado, she traveled to Botswana for additional training in the capital city of Gaborone. Her arrival coincided with the memorial ceremonies for the first president of Botswana, Seretse Khama. After training she moved to the village of Mahalapye and settled in a one room mud and thatch rondavel (hut). Coolidge taught developmental and social studies at a middle school (grades 7-9) that had 18 teachers and approximately 250 students. During her service AIDS became rampant in Botswana, and she later learned of students, teachers, and community members dying of the disease. Coolidge says her experience gave her a special appreciation for the culture and people of Botswana, and an opportunity to share this with others when she returned to the U.S. Interviewed and recorded by Russell E. Morgan Jr., November 13, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).