Interview with David Reed, March 22, 2021

Interview Summary

David Reed served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji Group 1, from 1967 to 1969, in the Agriculture Program. David was active in the Civil Rights Movement while at University of Maryland. Offered the options of Colombia or Fiji, David chose Fiji. Language, culture, fitness, and jungle survival training were conducted in Hilo, and the Waipio Valley, on the island of Hawaii. David’s assignment was in the Cakaudrove province on Vanua Levu. He lived in Tavutikau village, near Savusavu. His job was to conduct an agriculture survey of the area, along with two other PCVs. The work required extensive travel throughout the district, mostly by foot, to survey farms and coconut plantations. After returning to the U.S., David was drafted into the military. He attributes success in the military to lessons learned in Peace Corps about cooperation and respect for others. The interview discusses training; living and work experiences; relationships with fellow volunteers, Fijian co-workers, and villagers.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Fiji (country of service) Fiji Fijian (language) 1967-1969 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Agriculture Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Vietnam War University of Maryland Hilo, Hawaii (training site) Cakaudrove (assignment site) Vanua Levu Savusavu (town) Tavutikau (village) yaqona kava sevusevu ceremony military service draft

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