Interview with Marsden Smith, February 22, 2022

Interview Summary

Marsden "Mars" Smith served in Panama, 1969-1971, and Columbia, 1971-1973, working in community economic development. His job was assisting co-ops with business administration and accounting. Training was in Puerto Rico. Mars described training as “sink or swim”; volunteers were tasked with figuring out how to get to a location on their own, and when there would have to find a family to live with for 1-2 days. Mars settled in Santiago de Veraguas, Panama. He said volunteers were left alone and could do what they chose to accomplish their mission. Volunteers left Panama in 1971 due to the unpopular drug arrest and extradition to the US of a Panamanian citizen. Volunteers were offered the ability to go home or to post elsewhere. Mars opted to go to Columbia where he met his wife. There he worked with co-ops in El Valle de Tenza and Bogata. Mars’ advice? Keep learning!

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Panama (Country of service) Columbia (Country of service) 1969-1971 (Date of service) 1971-1973 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Community Economic Development Panama Columbia Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980 Vietnam War Spanish

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