Interview with Lynn H. Kneedler, January 20, 2023

Interview Summary

Lynn Heichel Kneedler served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania from 1965 to 1967. She joined the Peace Corps two weeks after graduating from college despite never having been west of the Mississippi. She taught at a school with students in grades 5-8 which still followed British traditions. Lynn noted that the students often sang and were grateful to be in school. Lynn and her housemate another volunteer, helped students in the evening to prepare for a test to qualify for government secondary school. Robert F. Kennedy paid a visit to her school in 1966 after giving a speech in South Africa. As a gift the students gave a dance and music performance. He also visited with the volunteers in the region. Lynn cited this occasion as a life changing moment. Lynn’s secondary projects included working in a rural clinic and a smallpox vaccination project with the Masai.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Tanzania 1965-1967 Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)—1960-1970 Swahili Umbea Town Saba Saba Bantu Masai Smallpox Vaccine Rural hospital Peace Corps Staff

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