Interview with L. Karen Darner, May 29, 2022

Interview Summary

L. Karen Darner served in Jamaica, 1988-1990. Staging was in Miami. Karen’s cohort of 23, all in education, was the 48th Jamaican group. Ages ranged from 21 to 73. Six weeks of training was in Kingston. Permanent site was Montego Bay, a transportation hub, where Karen worked with a private volunteer organization as the only PC speech therapist. She traveled to clinics around Jamaica, testing hearing and teaching techniques to children and their caregivers. She estimates she saw ten kids daily, five days a week. The arrival of Hurricane Gilbert, called a “breeze” by locals, meant that for two months volunteers helped wherever they could. Karen also worked with the daughter of a friend from home to set up a still-functioning horse-riding program for special needs children. Karen said Peace Corps service taught her about herself. Words of wisdom: there is no right or wrong way, but a different way.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Jamaica (Country of service) 1988-1990 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Jamaica Peace Corps (U.S.)--1980-1990 English Cultural Training Peace Corps-related medical issues

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Interview Usage

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