Interview with William Burrus, August 31, 2023

Interview Summary

William Burrus Dominican Republic, 1968-1969, Rural Community Development. Bill Burrus was raised in Sedona, Arizona. He studied sociology at Arizona State University. Bill was invited to work with the Office of Community Development in the Dominican Republic. He trained at Camp Crozier in Dos Bocas outside of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The Pre-Service Training included the traditional areas of language, cross-cultural studies, and technical training. It also used a “self-selection” mode of determining who would be sworn in as a Volunteer. Bill was assigned to Cambita Garabitos and extended his work to Cumia and La Colonia. His initial effort was meeting as many people as he could to assess their interests. In Cambita, he worked with a youth club interested in building a baseball field. In Cumia, road repair was critical. And in La Colonia the interest was a school. Unfortunately, Bill broke his leg and was medivacked to the U.S. unable to return to complete his service.

Interview Keyword

Dominican Republic rural community development New Mexico Sedona, Arizona Arizona State University sociology Mexico projects Verde Valley school Indian school Vietnam application invitation India and Dominican Republic staging Philadelphia Pre-Service Training Dos Bocas Arecibo Camp Crozier Mark Randall, PCV David Kaufman Language Director Outward Bound T-groups self-selection ODC Office of Community Development Bani Bill White Jon Lash PCVs Bani Rio Abajo San Jose de Ocoa host family schistosomiasis Cambita Garabitos site regional market town Spanish tutor basic needs infrastructure focus host family bacalao cod fish housing Dona Mercedes cook cachimbo pipe Cambita youth club baseball field Cumia road La Colonia school Catholic Relief Services broken leg medivac Tom Gittins Country Director relationships Samuel friend merenge dance Rene Gonzalez program manager challenges memorable moment development approach cultural career influence Kim Herman PCV 3rd Goal ROI Thunderbird MBA American Friends Service Quaker organization Accion International micro-finance pulque alcoholic drink

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.