Interview with Malissa Smith, April 10, 2023

Interview Summary

Malissa Smith served in the first group of Peace Corps Volunteers in Russia from 1992-4 soon after the fall of the Soviet Union. Of the 100 volunteers in this Community Economic Development program, half served in Southern Russia and half in the Russian Far East (RFE)–she in Khabaraovsk. She discusses the quick start-up and political significance of the program intended to help small business development and establishment of the banking and legal infrastructure to support this development. She describes a highly educated and cultured population suffering through very difficult economic conditions, including tremendous economic scarcity, power outages and corruption. She talks about having to create her own business project, the kind of assistance she provided, including international travel, and the big policy roles played by fellow PCVs. She reflects on the impact of Peace Corps service on individual growth and her experience relative to the 3 goals of Peace Corps.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (US) Russia (Country of Service) Community Economic Development (Peace Corps program) 1992-4 (years of service) Russia 1 post fall of the Soviet Union (historical context) Russian Far East (RFE) Vladivostok (training site) Khabarovsk, largest city and administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai(state) near China where she served) Birobidzhan (Jewish Autonomous "state").

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