Interview with Teresa Keller, August 15, 2024

Interview Summary

Teresa Keller served as a Youth, Families, and Community Development Volunteer in the Dominican Republic from 2002-2005. She grew up in Massachusetts and worked for many years in a variety of roles as a therapist in both Massachusetts and Colorado, obtaining her master’s degree before her role as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Buddhism influenced her decision to join and her life afterward. During training, she was struck by a motorcycle and broke an arm and while recovering from this injury contracted dengue. She used her recovery period to improve her Spanish and was not deterred from moving to La China, a small, isolated community near Puerto Plata. Teresa described the trip to her site, her regular work, including an initial survey of community needs and ongoing work with women’s groups, neighborhood associations, youth groups, a community bank, and eventually medical missions. She extended service to ensure sustainability and leadership transfer of key projects. After service, Teresa continued to complete third goal projects and is working on a dissertation with community members on traditional medicine.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Dominican Republic (Country of service) 2002-2005 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Youth in Development Peace Corps (U.S.)—2000-2010 Trujillo dictator Spanish (Language) Massachusetts Colorado Buddhism Puerto Plata Los Alcarizos Cibao dinámicas dynamic activities La China Centennial Mountains colmado store guagua bus parada stop cafecitos espresso fuente de ingreso source of income youth group intercambios exchange programs junta de vecinos neighborhood association stove project crafts Lajobo misogyny Sol Luz math competition Villa Trina medical missions Haiti banco comunitario community bank sustainability Peace Corps third goal psychology therapy yo puedo I can

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