Interview with C. Norman "Norm" Turrill, August 27, 2020

Interview Summary

C. Norman "Norm" Turrill served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Somalia from 1966-1968. He taught form 5-7 math, science and English at a secondary boarding school in Oodweyne in northern Somalia (now Somaliland). He discusses interactions with his students who were mostly from nomadic families, and with fellow teachers, and a project he led to help bring electricity to the school. He tells stories about the Somalia IV’s training in New York City, their travel to Somalia through Aden (Yemen), rebuilding a fort bombed by the British in Taleex, and his travels to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Europe. He discusses the historical context of the times, anti-Americanism in northern Somalia and the Peace Corps being expelled from Somalia by the dictator Said Barre. He also talks about his activities making presentations on Somalia upon his return and helping establish Friends of Somalia, an email listserv of RPCVs.

Interview Keyword

Somalia (Country of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education 1966-1968 (Date of service) Post-colonial and regional conflict historical context Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Boarding schools Anti-American sentiment

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Somalia Peace Corps (U.S.)--Somaliland Acculturation Culture Intercultural communication Interpersonal relations and culture Travel Voluntarism Volunteers Teaching Teachers

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Interview Usage

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