Interview with James "Jim" Welch, May 5, 2023

Interview Summary

Jim Welch served in Ethiopia, 1973-1975, in education. He applied to PC when a recruiter came to his university looking for science teachers. The application process was only 1 1/2 months, he said. He had his choice of several countries. He chose Ethiopia because the opera Aida, about an Ethiopian Princess, is his favorite. There were sixty in his group. Training was in-country for three months where Jim learned Amharic. The training site was Shashemane. Jim’s permanent site was Ghedo. There he was assigned to teach English, Math and Science in an elementary school. Jim was in Ethiopia during the 1974-1975 military coup that deposed the pro-education Haile Selassie. He moved next door to the police for safety but continued teaching. Jim said PC taught him about himself, to respect other people and to embrace diversity. He works with a RPCV LGBTQ+ group which identifies countries which welcome LGBTQ+ volunteers.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Ethiopia (Country of service) 1973-1975 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Ethiopia Eritrea Kenya Seychelles Islands Egypt Ireland Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980 Regional conflict English Amharic LGBTQ+

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