Brian Cohen served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin from October 2001 to August 2004 in an environmental action program. After completing in-country training in Parakou, he was stationed in the town of Toucountouna in Atakora province. Cohen worked with the local community to make better use of their abundant mango crops by drying mangoes for sale to tourists and using them as a source of vitamin C when they lacked fresh fruit. He got funding for the project from the U.S. Embassy, but it ultimately failed due to local conflicts. Cohen had success with other projects to cultivate mushrooms with women's groups, build energy efficient mud stoves, and develop tree nurseries. His Peace Corps service led him to a career in international environmental issues, and he believes that all Americans should have an overseas experience in order to broaden their perspectives. Interviewed and recorded by Evelyn Ganzglass, December 11, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).