Below you will find some sample abstracts from the project. An abstract should be sent with each tape to summarize the contents.

If you would like to read more about oral history check out the following sites:

1. Columbia University Oral History Research Office

• Links to projects and programs

• Bibliography, notes on technique

3. Oral History Association

4. Site recommended by RPCV archivist

Sample Abstracts of Oral History Interviews
(Interviewer writes an interview Abstract on the back of the Basic Data Form before submitting interview to RPCV Archivist.)

- M. P. was a PCV in Kenya 1968-70 as a secondary ed teacher. Joined with her husband; trained at Teachers College/Columbia — four week language intensive training (Swahili) and three week home stay in Brooklyn with practice teaching (in Catholic School — NYC public school teachers on strike). In spite of medical technologist background, M. chose to become secondary school teacher. She and husband requested and were assigned to remote area Harambee School (just coming under government support). Second year — pregnant and chose to stay on post; had baby at Mission Hospital 100 miles away from assigned post. Refused Peace Corps suggestion to return US for birth. Intensively involved in school and community.

- C. P was a PCV in Nigeria 1963-66 as secondary school teacher. Taught math and physics in government in Dakina, isolated assignmment. Background as geophysicist from Stanford and SRI. Served with wife, B., and stayed third year to help first group of upper form students prepare for '0' level exams.

- S. V. was a PCV in Haiti 1998-2000 in Agriculture. With a degree in Math Education, extensive work experience in Youth crisis counseling, and running a home-based business, joined PC at age45 'because it was just time for me to do it'. Trained in Haiti — intensive language training in Creole, techincal studies in ag and small business. Assigned to an ag station run by an NGO. Worked in tissue culture for plant propagation and bamboo propragation — a project started by previous PCV through Peace Corps Farmer-to-Farmer program.

- D. M. was a PCV in Senegal 1993-96 in an Ag Extension Agent project. Trained in Senegal — 6 weeks French, 6 weeks Wolofwith technical training and area studies interspersed — described as highly stressful and rigid. Assigned alone to remote community with ill-defined mission as ag extension agent. Was creative in developing local projects, establishing links with donor agencies. Stayed third year to help Peace Corps restructure ag and other programs — setting up regional training centers throughout country.

- D. R. was a PCV in Uzbekistan 2001-2003 in education. BA in International Relations; bilingual English-Spanish. Project in TEFL Primary; trained in Uzbekistan with emphasis on Uzbek language. Was in eleventh group to country, with perhaps too many PCVs in project to be viably assigned. Spent first 6-8 months in remote, difficult assignment, working to be transferred. Then, immediately after 9/11 WTC attack, project withdrawn from Uzebekistan. Gives full account of evacuation. After 6-7 months, project returned (just 6 PCVs) and D. worked in new teaching assignment (happily). Helped Peace Corps staff re-establish project in
Uzbekistan; helped train new PCVs.