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About Oral History
Digital Identifier
RPCV-ACC-2017-004
Interviewee(s)
Garamendi, Patricia Wilkinson
Interviewer(s)
Wand, Patricia A. (Patricia Ann)
Access Restriction Status
Open
Use Restriction Status
None
Description
Patricia "Patti" Wilkinson Garamendi served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia from June 1966 to July 1968, along with her husband John Raymond Garamendi. Immediately after completing their undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, they entered Peace Corps training at the University of Utah and on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. They learned the Amharic language and how to teach English as a second language. Three days after arriving in Ethiopia, Patti and John were assigned to Metu, a town of 2,000 people in the western province of Illubabor. They lived in a hut with no electricity or running water, and quickly integrated into village life. They worked with villagers to build a bridge, imparting concepts of collaboration. Often using her guitar and songs, Patti taught English to 7th and 8th graders, with 60 children per classroom. Besides teaching, she set up a school library and offered sewing classes, Girl Scout meetings, vegetable garden demonstrations, and small pox immunizations. After the Peace Corps, Patti earned a law degree and worked in various state and federal government positions, including as Associate Director of the Peace Corps (1993-1998). Three of her six children have also served in the Peace Corps. Currently she assists her husband in his position as a U.S. Representative for Northern California. Interviewed and recorded by Patricia Wand, September 26, 2016. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Date(s) of Materials
26 September 2016
Extent
2 digital files (audio; stereo; 65 minutes)
Deed Status
Deeded
Copyright Status
Public Domain (Donated to the United States Government)
Collection
Series
031. Ethiopia.
Preferred Citation
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection. Ethiopia. Garamendi, Patricia Wilkinson (1966–1968): Oral history interview
Subject(s)
Organization(s)
Place(s)
Use Restriction Note
Consult with archivist to determine copyright holder.
Accession Number
ACC-2017-004
Transcript
Page Last Updated
October 28, 2023 9:18:57 AM EDT