Interview with Kristen Patterson, November 28, 2021

Interview Summary

Kristen Patterson served in Niger, 1996-1998, in Environment and Health. Her inspirations for serving were a Mali RPCV who spoke to her high school French class, and her grandmother’s best friend who served in the Philippines in her 60’s. Kristen’s first impression of Niger was of extreme poverty; over time, she learned of the unbounded generosity of her Nigerien friends. She trained at Hamdallaye, outside the capital Niamey, where she studied the Hausa language and received technical training. Her permanent site was Sabon Gida, a village of 800 people 450 kms east of Niamey. She lived near the chiefs of the Hausa (farmer) and Fulani (herder) peoples. PACA (Participatory Analysis for Community Action) was first tested in her village. Based on PACA results, her projects included repairing the main village well and establishing HIV/AIDs awareness/prevention. Kristen credits Peace Corps with informing her career in public health and climate change.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Niger (Country of service) 1996-1998 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Health Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Environment Niger Peace Corps (U.S.)--1990-2000 Hausa (Language)

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Interview Usage

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