Interview with Robert Painter, May 5, 2021

Interview Summary

Robert Painter grew up talking about JFK, the Peace Corps, and international altruism. He also had the opportunity to shake JFK’s hand at a political rally. Rob graduated in architecture from The Art Institute of Chicago. He and his wife were invited to serve in Ghana in rural development. He was assigned to a notorious ghetto, Nima 441, in the capital, Accra. Rob worked with a local committee implementing a UNICEF vocational training project, ICCES. He surveyed local job needs and developed training curriculum to match, including a recycling program, bakery, ventilated improved pit latrines, carpentry, masonry, etc. By working daily in the ghetto he built trust. He was warmly called Batturi ya wawa, the crazy White man. There were other rural ISSES sites around the country. Rob’s community contact provided him full support for the program. Rob worked for UNICEF after Peace Corps for his career.

Interview Keyword

Ghana (Country of service) 1985-1987 (Years of service) Rural Development Sector West Virginia Charleston JFK international altruism Art Institute of Chicago architecture couple Ghana rural development Colorado Alamosa San Louis Valley water and sanitation appropriate technology language acquisition languages Ashanti Ewe Hausa Accra Nigerian immigrants expectations Tamale training site UNICEF ICCES Integrated Community Centers for Employable Skills Mallam respected teacher Muslim Togo Lome PST Akotechere training site relationships development philosophy cultural influence medical evacuation spouse UNICEF career NIMA 441 YouTube Series

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