Interview with Synda Mahan, December 13, 2022

Interview Summary

Synda Mahan, raised in a small town in Massachusetts, wanted to see the world. She attended Bradford College, then Emerson College for a degree in Marketing/Communications. An RPCV presentation in one class influenced Synda to apply to Peace Corps. With six years of French, but interested in Latin America, she received 6-8 offers in Africa accepting an assignment in Mali working in a Small Enterprise Development/Youth project. Pre-Service Training (PST) included French as well as the Bambara language. She lived with a large host family, including three wives and 12 children, during training. She remembers introductions and greetings in meeting people as critical to building relationships. Synda worked in Siscasso for six months, then was transferred to Siby in the Bougouni region for security isssues. While assigned to ASDAP, an NGO, there was little direction or oversight as to her duties, so she independently created a program of monthly youth camps focused on life skills and health, including sex education. The youth, recruited from across the country returned, hopefully, to share and apply their lessons locally.

Interview Keyword

Mali, Small Enterprise Development (SED) Youth Massachusetts small town family Bradford College Emerson College Marketing and Communications Study Abroad RPCV speaker mentor Application French Staging Philadelphia Bamako Pre-Service Training (PST) Samanko host family counterpart Dhablani juice drink introductions Siscasso work site Volunteer assault Siby second site Bougouni region ASDAP NGO host family housing To pounded Millet Youth Camps life skills health issues sex education team building friendships Peace Corps staff relationships vacation Muslim religion leadership fundraiser youth STD return to U.S. challenges law school cultural differences RPCV fit RPCV bonds 09/11 Muslim community support

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