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Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-077
Jeffrey (Jeff) Walsh served as a Peace Corps volunteer in South Africa from July 2016 to June 2018 as a teacher. He joined in his 50s after having worked as a teacher, an Army medic, and an AmeriCorps volunteer. Walsh enjoyed the total immersion experience of living with a host family during training. He was the first Peace Corps volunteer to be assigned to Maphoitsile, where he taught English and life skills to primary school children. As the result of a letter that Walsh wrote to Bishop Desmond Tutu, his school received 500 laptop desks. Twenty-three months into his service, volunteers in the region were evacuated due to safety concerns, and he completed his final months at the Peace Corps office in Pretoria. Walsh also discusses using Grassroot Soccer as a teaching tool, an article he wrote for World Vision magazine, and bringing the Mother Bear Project to South Africa. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, March 5, 2020. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-052
Aaron S. Williams served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic from December 1967 to June 1970 on an USAID project with the Ministry of Education. His group received training at San Diego State University, with home stays in Baja California, Mexico. Williams was initially invited to serve in Honduras, but during training he volunteered to fill a shortage in the Dominican Republic. His first assignment was at Monte Plata, providing in-service training to teachers. He extended his service in Santiago, where he helped to develop educational curriculum. Williams married a Dominican woman during his second year of service. He later spent 22 years with USAID, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean. His final Foreign Service post was Mission Director to South Africa. In 2009, Williams was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the 18th Director of the Peace Corps. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, January 16, 2020. 3 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-084
Norman Gordon served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand from 1968 to 1970 in a malaria eradication program. He had served in the military prior to joining the Peace Corps. His training started at a site in Hawaii and consisted of language, culture, and cooking. Job specific training was conducted in Manila, Philippines, and an additional four weeks of training was provided in Thailand. Gordon's job in malaria eradication required extensive travel throughout his assigned region, and he visited many remote villages. Gordon also provides some reflections on serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War era. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, June 10, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-083
Jack Franklin Davies served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from 1978 to 1980 as a rural development technician. He discusses his childhood in a military family and how he was recruited into the Peace Corps. His training consisted of an orientation in San Francisco and in-country language and culture training, including a village stay. Davies was assigned to the island of Vanua Levu, the second largest island in Fiji. He talks his experiences traveling to remote villages for his work in rural development. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, June 10, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-082
Michael Kass served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Somalia from 1965 to 1967 in an education program. Michael and his wife, Tina, joined Peace Corps as a couple. His training began when he was a junior in college, through a Peace Corps program at Dartmouth College, after which he completed his senior year. Kass was initially offered an assignment in Togo, but couldn't go there as part of a married couple. Michael and Tina eventually accepted an invitation to serve in Somalia. Training for the Somalia group was conducted in Syracuse, New York. Their first assignment was in the village of Erigavo, and second year was in Hargeisa. Michael worked in the intermediate and secondary education programs. The interview includes a discussion of his experiences in both locations. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, June 10, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-064
Betty Ansin Smallwood served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from October 1969 to December 1971 as an elementary school teacher. She discusses her motivations for joining the Peace Corps, and mentions attending an event at age 12 where John F. Kennedy spoke. Smallwood was recruited as a married couple with her husband John, and their training was conducted in Hilo, Hawaii. She then taught at the Navukailagi District School on the outer island of Gau. In the interview she discusses her life and work in Fiji, and her continued connections with fellow volunteers and students. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, November 6, 2018. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-046
Christine (Laws) Anderson served as a Peace Corps Vvlunteer in Fiji from 1974 to 1976 in an education program. Prior to her volunteer service, she had worked for the Peace Corps as a staff member in Los Angeles, California. Anderson's training was conducted in Suva, Fiji, and included homestays with both Fijian and Indo-Fijian families. She then began her work as an arts and crafts teacher trainer at Nasinu Teachers College in Suva. The interview includes a discussion of her motivations for joining the Peace Corps, her recruitment and training experiences, her life and work in Fiji, and her continuing connections with fellow volunteers and her former students. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, November 27, 2018. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-043
Beth Shearer served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from 1970 to 1973 in a secondary education program. She joined with her husband. Her training was conducted in Suva, Fiji, where she studied the Hindi language. Training also included a homestay with an Indo-Fijian family. She taught at the All Saints Junior Secondary School in Labasa. The interview includes a discussion of Shearer's experience growing up overseas, her motivations for joining the Peace Corps, and her daily life in Fiji. She also talks about a return trip to participate in a Habitat for Humanity project, and her continued connections with fellow volunteers. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, 6 November 2018. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-040
Paul Milo served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from 1975 to 1977 as a math teacher. His training was conducted in Suva, Fiji, and included a homestay with an Indo-Fijian family. He worked at Suva Grammar School for a semester, then transferred to Adi Cakobau, a highly regarded girls school in the more remote area of Sawani. The interview includes a discussion of his motivations for joining the Peace Corps, his work and life in Fiji, and how he has continued his connections with fellow volunteers and students. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, November 26, 2018. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-028
James (Jim) Reierson served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from July 1973 to July 1975 as a physics teacher. After an orientation in San Francisco, Reierson's training was conducted in Suva, Fiji, and included language classes and cross-cultural orientation, including stays with families in two Fijian villages. He taught physics at the University of the South Pacific (USP), where the faculty included several other Peace Corps volunteers and expatriates. The interview includes a discussion of his life prior to Peace Corps service, his motivations for joining, and his working and living experiences. Reierson also discusses his continuing connections to Fiji after his Peace Corps service. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, October 17, 2018. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-026
Ben Bryan served as a Peace Corps volunteer in South Korea from 1979 to 1981 on a health education project. He also served in Fiji from 1981 to 1984. His initial technical training was conducted in Louisiana, followed by further technical, cultural, and language training in Korea with a homestay with a local family. Bryan's health education project focused on Hansen's disease (leprosy) and he was stationed at a health clinic in Jinju. Because the Peace Corps program in Korea was being phased out, he was unable to extend his service there, but accepted a similar health education posting in Fiji. He went through training again before being posted to Suva where he produced visual medical aids and served as a driver for the hospital. The interview includes a discussion of Bryan's motivations for joining the Peace Corps, his recruitment and training, his work and life in both countries, and his post service experience. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, October 7, 2018. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-025
David Downes served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from October 1967 to October 1969 as an English teacher. His initial training was conducted in Hawaii, and included language and cross-cultural orientation. Downes lived in Navua, a town on the island of Viti Levu, and taught English in a secondary school. After completing service in Fiji, he worked with Peace Corps and ACTION as a staff member in various roles. The interview includes a discussion of his motivations for joining the Peace Corps, his work and life in Fiji, and his post service experience. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, October 17, 2018. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-023
William M. (Bill) Dillon served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji from 1978 to 1981 as a land use planner. His training was conducted in Suva, the capital of Fiji, and included homestays in a local village and with an Indian family. Dillon worked at the Native Land Trust Board in Suva. The interview includes a discussion of his motivations for joining the Peace Corps, his recruitment and training experiences, and his life and work in the city. He also talks about his post service experiences and later return trips to Fiji. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, September 12, 2018. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-022
Emily Goldman served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras from 1991 to 1993 on a beekeeping project. Her Peace Corps experience actually began at age 3, when her parents served as volunteers in Curridabat, Costa Rica. Spanish is her first language, and at age 8 she decided that she was going to be a Peace Corps volunteer herself one day. After completing a bachelor degree in cultural anthropology, she applied and was sent to Honduras. She was told that she was the first child from a Peace Corps family to be sworn in as a volunteer. Assigned to the village of La Florida de Opatoro, Goldman's primary job was to provide training to local beekeepers. Secondary projects included teaching English at the local elementary school, where she established an exchange relationship between the local school and one in Santa Fe, New Mexico, modeled on the Peace Corps' World Wise Schools program. Goldman also established a women's vegetable gardening project. Her post-service career has been in international community development, human rights, and conservation. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, November 13, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-020
Steven Smith served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from 2008 to 2010 in an environmental program. During training he was housed with a local family in a village setting, which he feels was essential to his understanding of the local customs. Smith was assigned to Biausevu village in the Nadroga district and worked on projects in the area that included restoration of trails, re-forestation, and the revival of a traditional farming technique. He engaged village youth in the projects in order to gain acceptance and to help raise money. Smith also worked on a rubbish recycling project, introducing practices that he believes are still being followed, and arranged for a fellow volunteer to provide some public health education in his village. The interview also includes his observations about how the Peace Corps has influenced his life. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, October 9, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-018
Jeniffer Rivera Rodriguez served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica from June 2016 to August 2018 on a youth development project. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, with Spanish as her first language. She applied for Peace Corps at age 21, after completing her bachelor's degree in psychology in Puerto Rico. Her training was conducted in-country and included health, safety, and orientation to the local school system. Rivera Rodriguez's job assignment was in the town of Guanacaste. Per PC Costa Rica policy, she lived with a host family for the first six months and developed close relationships with them and the other volunteers and people that she worked with. Her primary job was at a high school, and she also sought out other organizations to partner with, including a women's center and health clinic. The interview concludes with a discussion of how the Peace Corps experience influenced her life after service. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, October 10, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-016
Kathleen MacLeod served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran from June 1964 to June 1966 as an English teacher in the TEFL program (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Her group was the fourth one to serve in Iran. After spending a year in Mexico during college, she had expected to be sent to a Spanish speaking country. Training was conducted at the University of Michigan English Language Institute and included the Farsi language and Iranian history. MacLeod initially worked in Tehran teaching English to public health engineers, and at the UNESCO School of Social Work. After a few months, she requested a reassignment to an area with more locals. In Gorgan, MacLeod taught at a girls' high school. She lived with a local midwife and sometimes accompanied the midwife when she delivered babies in nearby villages. MacLeod has maintained lasting friendships with her Iranian friends and other volunteers after her service. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, October 17, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-013
Skip Auld served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran from 1973 to 1974 as an English teacher in a TEFL program (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). He was interested in serving in South Asia, but readily accepted the invitation to Iran. His in-country training included intensive language instruction and teaching techniques. Auld was assigned to teach English at a boys' high school in the town of Mahallat, where he was the only westerner. There had been Peace Corps volunteer couples at the school previously, but he was the first single volunteer. Auld found the local residents to be very fond of Americans, and was frequently invited to their homes for dinner. He was unable to complete his full tour due to medical issues. The interview also includes a discussion of Auld's continuing engagement with the RPCV Iran community. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, October 29, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-130
Gerald Jones served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia from 1967 to 1971 as a teacher. He was inspired to join Peace Corps after first hearing about it in John F. Kennedy's 1960 campaign while he was in high school. His training began at a site outside of Boston and was completed in Ethiopia. Jones was first assigned to the town of Dessie, where he taught at a high school that was staffed by both expatriate and local teachers. He also taught English to adults in night school, and taught summer school in a different location. Jones extended his service and for his second assignment taught at a Teacher Training Institute in the town of Debre Birhan. As part of this job, he was able to travel to several other locations with teacher trainees for practice teaching assignments. After the Peace Corps, Jones worked in private industry for several years, and then returned to international work with Save The Children, the International Red Cross, and a local Ethiopian NGO. In the interview, he also discusses the changes he has observed in Ethiopia during return trips over the years. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, August 29, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-127
Patricia (Pat) Hogan served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia from August 2015 to August 2017 in a community youth development program. She did not consider Peace Corps service until retiring from a career in education and hearing from a colleague about his experience as a volunteer in Poland. In Armenia, Hogan lived with a local family during training and the first few months of her service before moving to her own apartment. Her adjustment to the community was greatly aided by her relationship with the host family, whose daughter continued to tutor Pat and advise her in cultural matters. Hogan primarily worked at the Women's Resource Center in Goris, where the staff tried to get women involved in politics, assist in income generating enterprises, and provide domestic violence education. She also participated in English language education at a local school. The interview concludes with discussion of the Peace Corps' influence on her post-service volunteering. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, August 3, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-126
Charles Forbus served as a Peace Corps volunteer in programs for five different countries and also as a Peace Corps Response volunteer in Georgia. Forbus served in the U.S. Air Force after high school and had been inspired by John F. Kennedy's vision for the Peace Corps during the 1960 election, however he did not apply until after raising a family and retiring from AT&T. In 1997, he received his first assignment in Nepal, but had to resign for family-related reasons after completing pre-service training. He applied again and served in the Ukraine from 2002 to 2004 with an organization for disabled individuals, helping to automate record keeping at offices in Kiev and remote locations and providing computer training to the center's clients. In addition, he taught English as a secondary assignment. Next Forbus served in Honduras from 2011 to 2012 with one NGO that supported small farmers and another that supported people with HIV. That assignment was cut short when Peace Corps pulled out of the country due to unrest and security issues. Forbus applied again and was invited to serve in Madagascar in February 2013, but sustained a severe knee injury during training and was unable to continue in that program. In May 2014, he undertook a six-month Peace Corps Response assignment in the Republic of Georgia working with a youth organization to develop training programs in leadership, citizenship, and communications. Finally, Forbus served in Armenia from 2015 to 2017 working with locals to develop their tourism industry. The interview covers each assignment as well as the continuing impact of the Peace Corps on Forbus' life. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, August 3, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-119
Lew Jones served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from October 1968 to January 1973 on a cooperatives project. His prior military service on a U.S. Navy destroyer influenced his decision to serve less developed populations. While finishing his undergraduate degree, Jones met a Peace Corps recruiter and decided to apply. He was initially invited to Malaysia, but that offer fell through, and he was then invited to Fiji. He was in the second training group of the Fiji program, which was held on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. Once in Fiji, Jones worked with cooperatives, initially in rural villages and later at the main training center in Suva. He lived on an outer island, in a small town, and in a suburb of the capital city on the main island of Viti Levu. By the end of his service, Jones had successfully trained his local counterpart to take over his job. He developed lasting relationships with the locals and continues to remain in touch with them. He has visited Fiji three times since completing his service, including a Habitat for Humanity build in 2011 with Friends of Fiji, and in 2018 for the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps Fiji. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, July 16, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-114
Stephen (Steve) Wiley served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji from 1970 to 1971 as an elementary school teacher. His decision to join was influenced by his desire to pursue a career in teaching and to avoid the draft. He applied and was invited to Fiji, but then realized that he wanted to get married first. He and his new wife Sally applied together and were selected for the next Fiji training group. Training was conducted in Hilo, Hawaii, and covered Fijian language and culture as well as teacher training. Wiley taught at an elementary school in the rural village of Laselevu, where he and his wife were the only non-Fijian teachers, and he spent a great deal of time preparing lesson plans. In retrospect he regrets not socializing more with the men of the village to gain a better understanding of their lives and viewpoints. After completing their two years of Peace Corps service, the Wileys stayed in Fiji for an additional year while Steve continued as a teacher and Sally served as headmistress of the Fiji School for the Intellectually Handicapped. The interview includes discussion of living conditions in the village and visits to other parts of Fiji. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, June 30, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-113
Mark Troy served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand from February 1972 to May 1975 as an English teacher. He and his wife, Mary Fran, joined as a couple. Their preferences were South America and Africa, but they accepted the first invitation to Thailand. They attended a pre-invitational staging in Denver where they were given a brief introduction to Thai culture. Training in language, culture, and teaching techniques was conducted in two locations in Thailand, a small fishing village and a college. The Troys were given a choice of being stationed in a town with or without a U.S. military presence, and they chose one without (Phitsanulok). Mark's job was to train teachers at a college. They extended for a third year, and he took a new assignment at Chiang Mai University. After completing Peace Corps service, he applied for a job at a local university and the couple stayed in Thailand for another two years. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, June 23, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-112
Terry Adcock served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia from June 1961 to July 1963 in community development. Prior to joining Peace Corps, Adcock was politically active and a strong supporter of John F. Kennedy. When the Peace Corps was announced, he immediately decided to join. His group, Colombia I, was the first to undergo Peace Corps training, which was conducted at Rutgers University. It included language, community development, history, and physical fitness. Prior to departing, Adcock's group was invited to the White House to meet President Kennedy. Upon arrival in Colombia the group was housed at an experimental agriculture station in Tibaitata where additional training was provided. On weekends the trainees lived with local families. Adcock was assigned to the town of Cogua, along with another volunteer and a local counterpart. They shared living quarters and worked as a team. The interview includes a discussion of Adcock's experience working with the local community, traveling in-country, and meeting visiting VIPs from the U.S., including JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, June 22, 2019. 3 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).