Interview with Behzad Roohi, November 10, 2022

Interview Summary

Behzad Roohi, RPCV, Ghana, 1998-2000, Water Sanitation Behzad Roohi’s decision to join Peace Corps was through a myriad of life events, starting from when he had to leave Iran during the 1979 Revolution. He had since moved to India and eventually settled with his mother and siblings in Holyoke, Massachusetts where he never quite felt “at home”. After spending a religious “year of service" in the Caribbean, he came back to Holyoke, but decided to leave Massachusetts altogether for Washington DC where the diverse nature of the city and the university which he attended helped inform his next steps. It was through another volunteer who convinced him that his Iranian background and accent has no bearing on whether he “fits” the the “ideal” Peace Corps volunteer profile. Behzad explains how at ease he felt from the moment he landed in Accra through his three month training and for the rest of his two year service in Namoo where he lived with a large family. He attributes his recent work successes with USAID in Afghanistan to the Peace Corps’ culture and approach where collaborating with the village elders to see projects through is absolutely essential.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps volunteers Ghana village water sanitation (WATSAN) Iranian-American India Saint Kitts and Nevis 2nd division soccer team Iran training football soccer uniforms Bolgatanga, Ghana National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Ahvāz, Iran Iranian Revolution Mumbai, Iran Baha’i faith Baha’i community in India Poona Hill Station New Era High School Panchgani persecution refugees Holyoke, Massachusetts racism Caribbean GED Baha’i Year of Service Associates Degree in Liberal Arts Holyoke Community College University of Massachusetts, Amherst Washington, DC The George Washington University International Affairs diverse student body Peace Corps Staff Africa African Humanities application process documentaries on Ghana generalists sexual hygiene Farsi Accra Gurune Twi Saltpond Associate Peace Corps Director (APCD) host family District Assembly Water Sanitation Teams water and pump management committees sports master soccer tournament Under-12 Football Tournament Bolgatanga, regional capital Mia Hamm computers Peace Corps Ghana USAID development agencies Afghanistan

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