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Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-102
Heather Michelle Lynn Reed served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay from 2018 to 2019 on an environmental project. She began her service in September 2018 and had to return to the United States in May 2019 due to medical reasons. In this interview, she reflects on her service as she waits to learn whether she will be able to return to Paraguay. Reed formed many close friendships, both with other volunteers and the members of her community in Santo Domingo. She taught hands-on agriculture classes to middle school students, and worked with a local women's committee. One of her favorite projects was teaching English classes at the local elementary school. Even with less than a year in country, Peace Corps taught her to make the most of every situation and to see the value not only in success but also in the effort made. Interviewed and recorded by Christeen Pusch, June 21, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-101
Susan Selbin served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chile from 1967 to 1968 on a community development project. She later served in Liberia (1982-1983) and Swaziland (2009-2010) as well. In Chile, Selbin was assigned to Nogales where she worked with a Mother's Club to arrange educational workshops for women. To help support the club, she organized film festivals and the construction of a building. After rejoining the Peace Corps in the 1980s, Selbin worked at a university in Monrovia, Liberia. For her third tour, she focused on teacher training work in Makayane, Swaziland. Selbin says that her Peace Corps service gave her a can-do attitude, which she has carried with her throughout her life. In between her time in the Peace Corps, she taught special needs and inner city children and then served in the Foreign Service for 20 years. Now retired, she continues to enjoy volunteering and putting on film festivals focusing on environmental and other social issues. Interviewed and recorded by Christeen Pusch, June 21, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-105
Mary Ward served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador from 1984 to 1986. Being blind herself, she worked with other blind people in a special education program. She was initially assigned to work as an administrator in Quito, where she worked with blind teenagers. However, due to some difficulties at her first site, she was soon reassigned to Cuenca, where she worked with both a local school and with a club of blind adults called Home for the Blind. Ward states that the Peace Corps changed her view of the world, showing her how to appreciate the good in both her own culture and that of her host country, while acknowledging the shortcomings of both. Through her experience, she has learned to worry less and has gained a greater appreciation of personal relationships. Interviewed and recorded by Christeen Pusch, June 22, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-104
Tamatha Nibert served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines from 1992 to 1995 in a forestry project. She had training in Tablas before being stationed in the town of Viga in Catanduanes province. In addition to her social forestry work, Nibert helped her community start a paper-making business. She dealt with all aspects of the business from securing funds for the building, researching which dyes to use, and assisting with marketing. The business has provided employment and an additional source of income for many women in the community who were previously homemakers. It still exists today, and Nibert continues to remain in contact with friends from her community as well as their children. Her experience helped her define herself, taught her the importance of having fun, and helped her build confidence. Interviewed and recorded by Christeen Pusch, June 18, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2019-103
Edwin L. Blanton III served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Dominica from January 2004 to January 2005 on a youth and community development project. He was stationed in Loubiere and assigned to work with the Village Council Community Center to help develop their programs. He also worked with a neighboring school, where he led public speaking classes and coached the Special Olympics. Blanton had to leave the Peace Corps after only one year due to medical issues, but has remained active in the community. He and another returned volunteer started a non-profit called "Ready, Willing...Enable! Inc." Through the non-profit, they have worked closely with special needs children in Dominica and have returned to the country several times. Blanton feels the Peace Corps taught him patience and helped him step outside of his comfort zone. Interviewed and recorded by Christeen Pusch, June 16, 2019. 1 digital audio file.