Interview with Beverly Blevins Niemann, May 1, 2024

Interview Summary

Beverly Blevins Niemann served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Afghanistan from 1967 to 1969, in the Health / Smallpox Eradication Program. Bev received offers for several programs after applying to Peace Corps. She chose Afghanistan because she felt drawn to that part of the world and liked the aim of eradicating smallpox. Her group trained at the School for International Living in Vermont. They learned Farsi language, culture, and survival skills. The group was entirely women due to the work they would be doing with Afghan women and families. Bev’s assignment took her to many places in Afghanistan, beginning in Herat, then Farah, and Mazar-i-sharif, as well as time in Kabul. Bev worked alongside Afghan men, traveling to neighborhoods and villages to convince people to be vaccinated, and administering the vaccines. She describes the condition of Aghan people, in particular, the lack of access to health care, and the treatment of women. Bev married a German volunteer in Kabul and has lived most of her life since Peace Corps in Germany. She remains in contact with her Peace Corps colleagues through monthly Zoom meetings and reunions.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Afghanistan (country of service) 1967-1969 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Health Smallpox eradication Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 School for International Living, Vermont (training site) Peace Corps (U.S.) – Training (cultural, language, technical) Farsi (language) women only training group Herat (assignment site) Farah Mazar-i-sharif Kabul vaccine administration health and hygene education Germany (home)

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