Interview with Stuart Frisch, June 22, 2023

Interview Summary

Dominican Republic, 1968-1969, Rural Community Development

Stuart Frisch was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in political science. He also attended Harvard Law School before accepting an invitation to serve in the Dominican Republic as a community development extensionist with the Office of Community Development. After Pre-Service Training in Camp Crozier outside Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Stu was assigned to Juan Santiago in the Southwest of the country near the Haitian boarder. Stu described his living conditions, the town, and surrounding areas. Stu also described the local potable water issues and proposed solution which he, as an extensionist, worked with the local leadership and farmers to implement. Stu shared aspects of Dominican history related to the conflicts between Haiti and the D.R. Unfortunately, Stu developed a dangerous allergy to wasp venom after being stung multiple times. He had to end his service early.

Interview Keyword

Dominican Republic rural community development Brooklyn College political science Harvard Law School recruiter application assignment Oficina de Desarrollo de la Comunidad (ODC) Office of Community Development family anxiety staging Philadelphia Pre-Service Training Puerto Rico Arecibo Camp Crozier Tomacito store owner Padre Guzman host family Trujillo Juan Santiago work site San Juan de la Manguana Los Matas de Farfan El Cercado Hondo Valle regional towns PCVs publicos taxis Alcalde mayor house town Fiesta Patronal local Saint’s Day cock fighting colmado store bacalao cod fish water and sanitation relationships social structure local needs camino vecinal local road Sonador river rigola canal conuco field plot Elias Pina province grant Friends of the Dominican Republic (FDR) health myths transportation health allergies early termination “Le picaron las avispas” merengue song wasp stings Haitian influences Cleren Haitian rum.

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