Interview with Rachel Fuchs, April 29, 2021

Interview Summary

Rachel Fuchs’ mother had talked about wanting to join the Peace Corps. Shel met an RPCV at a 3rd Goal event during High School. Rachel graduated from the University of Chicago in economics and public policy. She was invited to serve in Costa Rica as a microenterprise advisor. Her Pre-Service Training followed the community-based training model living with a host family and small group training sessions. Rachel’s entry to her site in Santa Cruz with the association of dairy farmers was less than spectacular given they didn’t know what to do with her, nor could she meet their needs. Rachel created a role for herself in assisting women’s groups for social outlet gathering and exchange as well as income generating one-off activities training to set-up and run a business. She also worked in another community on resiliency skills: yoga and meditation and a middle school with aerobics and art classes.

Interview Keyword

Costa Rica (Country of service) June 2006 to Sept. 2008 (Years of service) Community Economic Development Sector 3rd Goal event RPCV University of Chicago economics public polity San Jose Costa Rica microenterprise community-based training model host family small group training trainee mugging women’s roles Santa Cruz Santa Cruz de Turrialba Dairy Farmer Association production cooperative women’s groups social groups income generating activities business set-up talloullu food self-esteem yoga meditation aerobics art class elementary school middle school pace of life surprise party trip with farmers lessons learned peoples’ differences personal growth Peace Corps’ influence

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