Interview with Harry Keramidas, May 15, 2023

Interview Summary

Harry Keramidas, Dominican Republic, 1964-1966, Urban Community Development

Harry Keramidas was raised in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in psychology. Influenced by JFK and meeting with recruiters, Harry applied to the Peace Corps and was accepted and assigned to the Dominican Republic for a rural development project. During Pre-Service Outward-Bound Training at Camp Crozier outside of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, he was reassigned to an urban development project. Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, Harry lived in the Cristo Rey neighborhood of the capital, Santo Domingo and worked at a youth detention center, Casa Albergure. Harry described his living condition and the surrounding neighborhood as well as a typical day at work. A revolution broke out, mostly centered in the capital, in April 1965. He and other Volunteers he was living with were advised by Peace Corps staff to stay in their home until further notice. They could hear and see tanks and planes engaged in combat. He and other Volunteers were assigned to deliver food provided by USAID to poor neighborhoods of the capital. Harry also shared lessons learned about relationships, change, and culture.

Interview Keyword

Dominican Republic Urban Community Development Detroit family University of Michigan Wayne State University psychology Vietnam War JFK recruiter application staging Philadelphia Pre-Service Training Arecibo, Puerto Rico Camp Crozier Berlitz Caroline Payton psychologist deselection PCV Benny Varela outward bound program Andy Hernandez County Director Tomacito vendor Juan Bosch President Triumvirate Cristo Rey barrio neighborhood lardon thief Casa Albergure youth detention facility lengua tongue priest house neighborhood PCV Casey Case Lina restaurant Mr. Bellini Director of Casa Albergure typical day PCV John Swallow delinquents chele one cent Voodoo ceremony revolution intervention General Wesson y Wesson bombing Wilcox Geer blind PCV PCV Dick Bourne Bob Satin Peace Corps Country Director Hotel Hispaniola U.S. Marine base Food delivery PCV Kirby Jones PCV Morrison Eastern rural inoculations Puerto Plata Boy’s Club B.J. Warren Peace Corps staff Felix Dominican staff coming home recruiter placement officer memorable moment death of grandmother Vivaporu Vick’s Vaporub lessons learned change process relationships culture

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.