Interview with E. Scott Osborne, October 3, 2023

Interview Summary

Scott Osborne Togo, 1980-1982, Agriculture and Education (TEFL). E. Scott Osborne was born in NYC and raised on Long Island and upstate NY blending urban and rural experiences. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania/Philly in political science and NYU Law School. She later received a MPA in International Development. Scott shared her experience during staging and Pre-Service Training in Lome and Blitta Gare, which also became her work site. She noted that while she first felt uncertain about her capabilities, she wasn’t hesitant of becoming a Volunteer. She felt she was trained to learn to be self-sufficient! Scott described her house and village. She had bouts of illness, including malaria. Scott was assigned to work with elementary schools, with open air classes and few materials, creating gardens and rising chickens and rabbits. She also taught English to High School English students at approximately at 10th grade level. PCVs developed a manual to supplement curriculum provided by the Department of Education. Scott noted from her experience that change comes from human relations. She also recognized that having a “foreigner” to engage with engenders different perspectives on issues and interests. Coming home heighten her own understanding of the differences among peoples.

Interview Keyword

Togo agriculture education TEFL NYC Long Island urban rural social services University of Pennsylvania/Philadelphia political science New York University law school RPCV teacher French staging Philadelphia Lome Pre-Service Training Blitta Gare training site work site host family first impressions shell shocked sickness Dr. Khelgatti motorcycle village housing French nun missionaries Soutaboua Sokode larger towns elementary schools gardens animal husbandry teachers Catholic Services CARE manuals celebrations family visit Ghana development human relations systemic issues 3rd Goal service presentation cultural context memorable moments coming home Princeton School of Public Health MPA/JD PCV daughter

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