1962.03.01: March 1, 1962: Headlines: COS - Sierra Leone: 1960s: The Volunteer: Loreit Jenkins writes: The Peace Corps begins in Sierra Leone - From The Volunteer Newsletter March 1962

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Sierra Leone: Peace Corps Sierra Leone : Peace Corps Sierra Leone: Newest Stories: 1962.03.01: March 1, 1962: Headlines: COS - Sierra Leone: 1960s: The Volunteer: Loreit Jenkins writes: The Peace Corps begins in Sierra Leone - From The Volunteer Newsletter March 1962

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Loreit Jenkins writes: The Peace Corps begins in Sierra Leone - From The Volunteer Newsletter March 1962

Loreit Jenkins writes: The Peace Corps begins in Sierra Leone - From The Volunteer Newsletter March 1962

The first week in Africa was spent at the University College of Sierra Leone (Fourah Bay) on the slopes of Mount Aureol high above Freetown. The orientation course was headed by talks and discussions by the Minister of Education, the Honourable Mr, A. S. J. Carna-han, the Principal of the University, Dr. Davidson Nicol and other assorted officials and educators. Topics under discussion ranged from the Sierra Leone Civil Service to tropical living, from teaching techniques to the Krio language. The time that was not spent in class, was productively put to use doing final shopping and repacking.

Loreit Jenkins writes: The Peace Corps begins in Sierra Leone - From The Volunteer Newsletter March 1962

SIERRA LEONE

By Loreit Jenkins, Peace Corps Volunteer Leader

On January 2nd, after preliminary training in Puerto Rico and at Colombia University in New York, 37 secondary school teachers arrived at Lungi Airport, Sierra Leone. Three months to the day since the prospective Volunteers began landing in Washington, they were finally at their destination. We were a motley crew, coming from both coasts and many of the states in between (as well as Alaska). There were three married couples, a former Dean of the School of Home Economics of the University of Cincinnati (Dr. Elizabeth Roseberry) and Sue Sadow, former Chief Nutritionist for UNRRA in North Africa, who, at 65, is the oldest volunteer in the Peace Corps.

The first week in Africa was spent at the University College of Sierra Leone (Fourah Bay) on the slopes of Mount Aureol high above Freetown. The orientation course was headed by talks and discussions by the Minister of Education, the Honourable Mr, A. S. J. Carna-han, the Principal of the University, Dr. Davidson Nicol and other assorted officials and educators. Topics under discussion ranged from the Sierra Leone Civil Service to tropical living, from teaching techniques to the Krio language. The time that was not spent in class, was productively put to use doing final shopping and repacking.

On the 8th of January the Volunteers were dispersed throughout the country. Geographical distribution left sixteen Volunteers in the Western Area (Freetown and vicinity), twelve in South Western Province, six in Northern Province, and three in South Eastern Province. Early check-up trips by Peace Corps Representative Walter Carrington and Peace Corps Doctor Bill Elsca report that all are finally settled and working. Accommodations seem to range from simple cold water flats, to the summer house of the Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai, in Bo. Some Volunteers are living alone and isolated, i.e., Jamie Whitbeck in Jaiama, Elizabeth Rose-berry in Mattru, and George Lavelle in Makeni; while one group of six is cramped temporarily into what is now referred to as the Fhmann's Hostel in Freetown. The only real" difficulties in living have been the lack of fresh foods.

The teaching situations are as diverse as the living conditions. Volunteers like Bruce Gilbert in Waterloo have gone into brand new schools which are just starting from scratch and have found themselves teaching as many as five different subjects; others have entered older schools whose main problems seem to be exceedingly large classes and obsolete equipment. In general, school facilities are minimal. The lack of teaching aids, proper equipment, and sufficient classroom space, have all added to the difficulties of teaching. These obstacles, however, are slowly being overcome by the perseverance and efforts of the teachers. Though many had no teaching experience before arriving in Africa, it would be safe to say after this first month that all-feel they are now veteran teachers.

Prospects for the future include the organization of our own newsletter. News and advice from the whole group will be printed and circulated so that all can benefit from each individual's experiences. This interchange will be supplemented over our two week Easter vacation, when all will regroup in Freetown for meetings with the Ministry of Education and conferences among ourselves.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Peace Corps Annual Report: 1962; Peace Corps Sierra Leone; Directory of Sierra Leone RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Sierra Leone RPCVs; The 1960's





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Story Source: The Volunteer

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Sierra Leone; 1960s

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