Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Marc Stuart Freed can be contacted at mfreedaalumdmitdedu
Country of Service: Zaire
Training Group: Summer 1975
Cities you served in: Bukavu, Kananga
Arrival Year: 1975
Departure Year: 1976
Work Description:
I taught math and physics on a Catholic mission in Nguema, about 90 miles south of Kakanga in Kasai Occidental
Other Countries you served in, Training Group Name Arrival Year, Departure Year, Work Description:
Kigali, Rwanda, 1976-1977. I transfered from Zaire to Rwanda in the fall of 1976 and joined a grain storage project with former PCVs Don Brown and Roger Vinita. We built warehouses for bean storage. I handled the accounting and statistical work and trained the office staff in those fields.
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
After a brief stint as a Systems Engineer with EDS in Michigan with RPCVs Jim Anderson and Roberta Poritsky, I earned an MS in Management from the Sloan School at MIT. In 1982, I began a career as a bond trader at the Wall Street firm of Salomon Brothers. I have made a few stops along the way but remain in that business today as a portfolio manager. I live and work in Manhattan. One of my colleagues, Lori Hugg, is a recent RPCV from somewhere in South America.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
Way back in Kananga in the winter of 75-76, I remember describing Peace Corps as "helping others to help yourself." I still feel that way about my experience. I went into Peace Corps as a well educated 21yr old not far removed from my adolescence. I returned as a fully independent adult. Given the events in Rwanda and Zaire since I left (I remained there with USAID until November 1978), it is unlikely that any legacy of our work exists. This is a disappointment but not one on which I dwell. Aside from parenting, it was unquestionably the most meaningful period of my life. I remain in close contact with my friends Bob Frere (Zaire 1975-77) and Roberta Poritsky (Zaire 1974-76) and through them, with a handful of other people from our group.
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
Anyone who served in Zaire or Rwanda from 1975-1978.
Any message for returned volunteers?:
New York is a great crossroads. If you know me and happen to be in town, send an email. I'm always willing to down a 75CL Primus with an old friend.
Originally posted: March 17, 2005
