Interview with Katherine Kane, May 22, 2023

Interview Summary

Katherine Kane served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone from 1972 through 1974, in the Education Program. Katherine’s service began with an assignment in Grenada. Due to lack of preparation on the host country’s part, she returned to D.C. and worked at Peace Corps HQ until she was assigned to Sierra Leone. Training was conducted at Milton Margai Teacher’s College in Freetown. Katherine was quick to pick up Krio language, and was sent to her site after only two weeks training. She was based in Kabala town, working with the superintendent at the district school center. There she developed a training program and materials for local teachers. Her job entailed travel to remote villages to conduct teacher training. She helped establish a library and resource center at the district center. A secondary project was managing construction of a UNESCO/USAID funded school at a mosque in Kabala. After completion of service, Katherine remained in Sierra Leone for a few months to assist a PhD candidate in research, then spent a year traveling throughout Africa. Katherine later married a fellow RPCV. Their daughter served as a PCV in Kenya.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Sierra Leone (country of service) 1972-1974 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980 Grenada Milton Margai Teacher’s College Freetown Krio (language) Kabala town UNESCO USAID school library teacher training Peace Corps family

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