Interview with John Frank, April 6, 2023

Interview Summary

John Frank, Dominican Republic, 1966-1968, Community Development. John Frank was raised in small towns in southwestern Minnesota and central/northern Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in political science. Inspired by Herbert Humphrey and President Kennedy’s vision, the Peace Corps seemed a better alternative to the military draft after college. He chose a rural community development program in the Dominican Republic over a program in Uruguay because of the country’s political turmoil in the mid-1960’s. He was naïve in his expectations on his own ability to effect social change. His Pre-Service Training was of minimal value except for training in language and the customs peculiar to the host country. The training selection process, in particular, was dispiriting in its focus on leadership, setting up competition among trainees. John was assigned to the Office of Community Development (OCD) in the community of Copey de Monte Cristi. He worked on such projects as: school, club house, school kitchen, wells, and latrines and cisterns. At the recommendation of Peace Corps staff and the lack of OCD resources, he was re-assigned to the Agrarian Reform Institute (ARI). He, along with counterparts, set up agricultural associations within new settlements set up by ARI.

Interview Keyword

Dominican Republic Community Development Instituto Agrario Dominicano (IAD) Minnesota Wisconsin parents growing up extrovert University of Wisconsin psychology political science Herbert Humphrey JFK speech Ugly American military draft Uruguay naïve Philadelphia stagging Pre-Service Training Puerto Rico Camp Crozier attitude selection process leadership problem-solving revolution anti-Americanism Copey de Monte Cristi kids individualism capacity development canal school club house commitment school teacher CARE wells latrines cisterns resources house Copey United Fruit employees union charcoal John Smith supervisor intestines bodega pulpería Agrarian Reform Institute (IAD) agricultural associations training courses political issues Ramoncito Daniel counterparts Peace Corps staff memorable moment assignation of RFK challenge isolation youth relationships next generation personal development cultural influences fatalism exceptionalism NYT in Review weekly media distortion draft influence illusion

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