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Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-062
Regina DeAngelo served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 2000 to 2002 as a teacher. She joined mid-career at age 35 and was the oldest in her cohort. She describes training, which included living with a family in a small village outside of Accra, as intense and thorough. After training, DeAngelo began working as a computer-usage teacher at an elite school in Accra. After her first year, Accra was deemed too dangerous and she moved out into the country to teach at a nursing school. DeAngelo particularly enjoyed working with the young women, which included setting up a scholarship so some could afford to go to school, and interviewing a native healer to find out about their ancient religion. Returning home and reintegrating into her own culture proved challenging when confronted both with the abundance and waste in the U.S., and with the sense of being out of step with her age cohort. Interviewed and recorded by Candice Wiggum, March 8, 2020. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-1996-032-002
Josh Dohan served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 1982 to 1984. He received agriculture extension training in Frogmore, South Carolina. In Ghana, Dohan completed language training and was assigned to the village of Kukoum. He worked on small animal husbandry projects and had the most success with raising rabbits. Interviewed and recorded by James Beauchesne, April 30, 1994, as part of a Northeastern University public history class. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file). An user's guide and transcript are available in Box 92.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2006-007-002
Ralph Gilman served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 1962 to 1964 in a secondary education program. A graduate of Stanford University with a degree in physics, he trained at the University of California, Berkeley. In Ghana, Gilman taught math and general science in a new government secondary school. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, September 13, 2005. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2004-002-013
Larry Grobel served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana 1968 to 1971 as a teacher. During the Vietnam War, he chose Peace Corps service as an alternative to the military draft. He participated in one of the first in-country training programs, with three days of staging in Philadelphia before going straight to Ghana. He taught English literature and current events at the Institute of Journalism in Accra, which was considered a sensitive assignment. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, February 9, 2003. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2002-001-006
Barbara Straub served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 1962 to 1964 as a chemistry teacher. She was part of the Ghana II group. She trained at UC Berkeley in the Twi language with a stint in the Oakland emergency room. Straub was assigned to the prestigious Aburi Girls Secondary School, a Presbyterian mission school, which had almost 100 percent expatriate staff. She taught general science, chemistry, and physical education, and sponsored the newspaper club. She developed her own teaching methods to promote understanding of the scientific principles, rather than just rote learning. Despite having a degree from Stanford, Straub had to contend with the headmistress' notion that Peace Corps volunteers were underqualified. She also discusses her bout with malaria and local reaction to the Kennedy assassination. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, December 2, 2001. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-030
Thomas Klug served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from July 1972 to July 1974 as a chemistry and math teacher. He taught at St. Peter's Secondary School, which was run by Catholic missionaries but financially supported by the Ghanaian government and thus followed the government curriculum. The school was a compound with student dormitories and staff housing a mile from the village of Nkwatia (in the Kwahu region) so Klug didn't interact much with people in the village. The Ghanaian teachers almost considered Peace Corps volunteers to be part of the white school administration, while the administrators considered them staff. Therefore, Klug interacted more with the British, Irish, and French teachers at the school than with Ghanaian teachers and staff. He discusses the importance of passing school exams for students' future prospects and his success in helping his students pass these exams. He also talks about his travels in Nigeria during his service; in addition, he toured Europe for three months on his way home. Interviewed and recorded by Evelyn Ganzglass, November 5, 2018. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-047
Lonna Dole Harkrader (then Lonna H. Dole) served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia from 1968 to 1969 and in Ghana from 1969 to 1970. In both locations she worked as a language instructor. During her first year in Ghimbi, Ethiopia, she taught ESL (English as a Second Language). During spring recess she attended a regional education conference and learned the ESL program would be discontinued. Harkrader and four other volunteers were given an option to spend their second year in Ghana, so she transferred. She taught French as a second language in Krobo Odumase, a town outside of Accra. Here she used a required "audio lingual method" that was very effective with her students. The work proved more productive than her experience in Ethiopia. Upon returning to the U.S., Lonna married fellow RPCV Richard Harkrader. The couple later set up a long-term development and education project in rural Nicaragua. Interviewed and recorded by Robert T. K. Scully, November 11, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-045
John-Peter (JP) Dunn served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 1974 to 1976 as a teacher. After graduating from Brandeis University in 1974, he accepted an invitation to a secondary education program in Ghana. Assigned to NSASS, a co-ed secondary school in Nsaba with 200 students, Dunn's first task was to secure a UNESCO grant for supplies in order to properly teach science. During his tenure he also founded a debating society and a student newspaper. He disciplined through student engagement rather than caning. Dunn developed close relationships with NSASS graduates, who have since organized an alumni association to support the school (which now enrolls 3,000 students). He states that volunteering taught him the art of teaching, fostered self-sufficiency, and enhanced his introspective abilities. Interviewed and recorded by Gail B. Gall, October 22, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Textual folder
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-092-012
This folder contains a user's guide and transcript for the oral history interview of Josh Dohan, who served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 1982 to 1984 on an agriculture extension project. The interview was conducted by James Beauchesne on April 30, 1994, as part of a public history class at Northeastern University. The audio recording is also available.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2002-014-006
Part of a series of research interviews conducted by Jonathan Zimmerman for his article "Beyond Double Consciousness: Black Peace Corps Volunteers in Africa, 1961-1971." George Carter served as Peace Corps director in Ghana in the early 1960s. He later held positions at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. Interviewed by phone, March 21, 1994. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2002-014-017
Part of a series of research interviews conducted by Jonathan Zimmerman for his article "Beyond Double Consciousness: Black Peace Corps Volunteers in Africa, 1961-1971." Ophelia Gona served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana from 1961 to 1962. Interviewed in person, January 14, 1994. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-001
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tape 1 of 85. David Apter was head of the Peace Corps training faculty at the University of California Berkeley and a professor of political science. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, August 29, 1997. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-004
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tapes 4-5 of 85. Kwaku Armah was a student at Sefwi-Wiawso secondary school in Ghana from 1961 to 1963 and was taught by Peace Corps volunteer Klein. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, August 15, 1999. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file). Note: Date is recorded elsewhere as August 14, 1999.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-006
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tape 6 of 85. William Austin attended Peace Corps training at the University of California Berkeley but was not selected to serve in Ghana. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, July 14, 1999. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-008
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tape 8 of 85. Howard Ballwanz taught at Swedru secondary school. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, August 1, 1997. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-014
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tape 14 of 85. John L. Buchanan taught at Kibi secondary school (Akim Abuakwa State College). Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, September 2, 1997. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-015
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tapes 15-16 of 85. George Carter was on the Peace Corps staff in Ghana from 1961 to 1964, as well as part of the original staff of Peace Corps Washington. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, August 16, 1997. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file). See also: Apter, David and George Carter interview. Note: Date is recorded elsewhere as August 7, 1997.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-017
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tapes 17-20 of 85. George Carter was Peace Corps staff in Ghana from 1961 to 1964, as well as part of the original staff of Peace Corps Washington. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, September 22, 2000 (part 2). 4 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file). See also: Apter, David and George Carter interview.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-021
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tape 21 of 85. William Chin was a Peace Corps doctor in Ghana from 1961 to 1963. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, May 9, 1999. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file). Note: Interview ends abruptly.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-022
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tape 22 of 85. L. Gray Cowan was part of the Peace Corps training faculty at the University of California Berkeley. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, August 10, 1997. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file). Note: Interview ends abruptly.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-023
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tapes 23-24 of 85. George Coyne taught at Sunyani secondary school. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, August 12, 1999. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file). Transcript is available in Box 64. Note: Interview ends abruptly.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-025
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tapes 25-26 of 85. Laura Damon taught at Opoku Ware secondary school in Kumasi. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, July 6, 1997 (part 1). 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file). Note: Interview ends abruptly.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-027
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tapes 27-28 of 85. Laura Damon taught at Opoku Ware secondary school in Kumasi. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, September 6, 2000. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-029
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tape 29 of 85. Valerie Deuel Stains taught at Accra Girls Secondary School. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, August 24, 1997. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2001-011-032
Part of a series of interviews with Ghana I RPCVs conducted by Robert Klein, tapes 32-33 of 85. Peter Dybwad taught at Akim-Oda secondary school and also served as acting headmaster. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, March 22, 1997. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).