Close
Not finding the information you're looking for? Please contact the Archives research staff.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-067
Deena Lawrence (then Krumdick) served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho from 1987 to 1989 in an education program. As a child, she knew early on that she wanted to serve others, and applied to the Peace Corps during her senior year of college. Her training began in Atlanta, and then continued in-country at Roma, Lesotho, for two months of intensive language, technical, and culture studies. Lawrence was stationed in Ha Moruthoane, where she taught basic math and was known as "Dr. Deena." She describes the strong emotional ties she built with the local community and how returning to the U.S. reaffirmed that her service was worth it. Interviewed and recorded by Charlaine Loriston, October 30, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2016-044
John Ferrick served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho from 1981 to 1984. His training began with an intensive one-week selection process in Cappahosic, Virginia, and continued for two months in Roma, Lesotho. Ferrick taught mainly math and science in a secondary school located in a remote mountain area. Teaching and learning were difficult because the school lacked desks, science lab equipment, and books. In addition to teaching, he helped build a library and raised money for educational equipment and materials. The interview includes a discussion of the volunteers’ encounters with apartheid in South Africa. After finishing his two years of service, Ferrick joined the Peace Corps staff as a recruiter and trainer (1985-1987), then as Associate Peace Corps Country Director in Papua New Guinea (1989-1990), and finally as Associate and Acting Peace Corps Country Director in Fiji (1990-1992). Interviewed and recorded by Phyllis Noble, June 28, 2016. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2016-040
Zoe Schroeder served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho from 2012 to 2014. She had been bilingual in French and English since childhood, and was also fluent in Spanish by the time she applied to the Peace Corps. However, she was sent to Lesotho where neither French nor Spanish is spoken. Training was conducted in-country in the village of Makola, where Schroeder lived in her own rondavel (hut) on the compound of her host family. Much of the training focused on learning the Sesotho language. For her service, Schroeder was placed in the village of Tabola. She taught English in two different primary schools, developed a library, and helped to fund and build two additional classrooms. The interview includes a discussion of the difference between government schools and private schools in Lesotho. Schroeder also endorses the Peace Corps strategy of using older volunteers who are retired teachers as teacher-trainers and advisers. Interviewed and recorded by Phyllis Noble, June 5, 2016. 3 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2016-001
Madeline Uraneck served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho from 2007 to 2009 as a teacher trainer. She applied to the Peace Corps at age 59, after working for Wisconsin Public Radio, teaching English in Japan, and serving as an international education consultant. Her training was in Maseru, Lesotho, and the village of Ha Makebe. Uraneck was assigned to Mount Moorosi in the district of Quthing, a remote area where she had to walk for hours to reach the rural schools. After extending her service for a third year, she joined the Peace Corps staff from 2010 to 2012, and was based in Washington, D.C., Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The interview includes discussion of life as a older volunteer, and the contrast between being a volunteer versus agency staff. Interviewed and recorded by Phyllis Noble, September 23, 2015. 3 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2002-014-014
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." Patricia F. Eaton served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho from 1967 to 1970. Interviewed in person, March 15, 1994. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).