Interview with Daniel Fergus Tamulonis, November 20, 2022

Interview Summary

Daniel Tamulonis served 1975-80 both as an education volunteer and in administrative positions in Zaïre, n/k/a the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PC’s training site was Bukavu, Kivu, in Eastern Zaïre, a place Daniel loved. He worked as an English teacher (1975-77 in Sona-Bata and 1978-79 in Kivu), and as a teacher-trainer in the summers in Bukavu. As a Regional Representative (1977-78) he was tasked with looking after volunteers. In 1979-80 he became an Associate Peace Corps Director. In 1975, the outgoing PC psychologist admonished the new PC recruits to avoid “criminal” homosexual conduct in Zaïre since it “didn’t exist”, which was not actually true. As a gay man, Daniel observed the attitudes toward homosexuality change dramatically over the ensuing years. He counts friendships as the best part of his PC experience. He continued teaching after his return stateside, including running the PC Fellows Program at Columbia.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Zaire (Country of service) 1975-1980 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education--English teacher (1975-77 and 1978-79), teacher-trainer in the summers, Regional Representative (1977-78), Associate Peace Corps Director (1979-80) Zaire Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980: Peace Corps staff Post-colonial Regional conflict: English French LGBTQ+

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.