Interview with Craig Tower, February 1, 2021

Interview Summary

Craig Tower is from Cleveland, Ohio. His parents exposed him to other cultures and languages during his childhood. Craig has a B.A. in history and inter-cultural studies from Haverford College. He studied abroad for a year in Senegal where he met Peace Corps Volunteers. Craig was invited by Peace Corps to Mali to serve in the Agriculture Sector from February 1994 to April 1996. He was trained in Tubaniso in composting, organic pesticides, live fences, etc. Having known French he also learned Bambara. He was assigned to Kaniko near Koutiala. His accommodations were rustic: three rooms, cement floor, and tin roof. His assigned counterpart was preoccupied with other duties. He tried an intercropping experiment as well as funding for a health clinic unsuccessfully. Craig sought "jatigiba," local informants, supporters to learn of local interests. Patience and persistence brought understanding of each other. Working with another PCV, they nurtured a tree farmer nursery association. One on one discussion was the best approach to introducing new ideas.

Interview Keyword

Cleveland (Ohio) History Intercultural studies Study abroad Mali (Country of service) Agriculture sector French (Language) Bambara (Language) Kaniko, Mali Koutiala, Mali Jatigiba Farmers' associations Development processes Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Agriculture Local cultural informants

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Mali Mali Acculturation Communication and culture Culture Culture shock Intercultural communication Interpersonal communication and culture Interpersonal relations Interpersonal relations and culture Language and culture Language and languages Lifestyles Manners and customs Voluntarism Volunteers

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