Interview with Bennett Stein, April 3, 2024

Interview Summary

Bennett Stein served as an Community Economic Development Volunteer in the Dominican Republic from 1975-1977. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, his training was conducted at the Peace Corps Office in Santo Domingo before he was assigned to the town of Janico just outside of Santiago. Bennett was initially assigned to the IDECOOP Cooperative issues very-low-interest loans to farmers. However, after realizing the business model was not working, he tried his hand at rabbit farming and then developing a fish pond for tilapia. Upon returning to the US, Bennett worked at the National Credit Union Association until he retired.

Interview Keyword

Bennett Stein Dominican Republic 1975-1977 Give back Adventure Atlanta, GA University of Georgia BA Business Vietnam War Miami, FL Haiti Airport Santo Domingo Community Economic Development Cooperativas Peace Corps Office Site visits Janico Farmer’s bank low-interest loans IDECO-OP Church World Services Caritas Cooperativa was not successful as farmer’s did not pay back loans Nutritional program Rabbit farming Fish pond construction Tilapia Food donation USAID grant Mayor built clinic over dug out pond Puerto Plata Sosua Santiago National Credit Union Association Retired

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