Interview with Mary Gemignani, March 3, 2022

Interview Summary

Mary Gemignani, from a Peace Corps family, served in Liberia, 1967-1969, in education and health. Informed by Peace Corps that she and her then boyfriend, John, another Liberia volunteer, would not be placed in the same village unless married, nuptials ensued. Training was in Gbarnga and permanent site was Klay, where Mary taught 1st and 4th grade Gola students. The ages of the 1st graders ranged from 7 to 18. The language spoken was “Liberian English” which Mary described as English with the final consonant dropped. Weekly Mary assisted at a well child clinic. The couple chartered a plane to visit East Africa with other PCVs, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro! Back home, Mary became a teacher. She helped a former 1st grade student raise funds to build a clinic and school kitchen in Liberia, and worked with Friends of Liberia. Mary continues to be startled by how much Americans have.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Liberia (Country of service) 1967-1969 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Health Liberia Ethiopia Kenya Tanzania Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Ebola English Kpelle Gola

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Interview Usage

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