Interview with Virginia "Ginny" May, May 26, 2021

Interview Summary

Virginia “Ginny” May served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia, from 1971 through 1973, in the School Lunch Program. Ginny thought about joining Peace Corps since college, but didn’t apply until she’d earned a Masters Degree, and taught for several years. During college she majored in Spanish, and spent a year in Madrid, Spain. The experience made her want to travel and learn more about other cultures, as well as to help others have a better life. She was first invited to Morocco, but declined, and was then offered Colombia. Her group trained in Bogota. Ginny was assigned to Chaparral, Tolima, where she worked for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, implementing a school lunch program. Her work involved traveling regularly to thirty schools in extremely rural areas. In addition to ensuring the program’s resources were being used properly, she taught nutrition and sanitation classes. The interview discusses Ginny’s work and living conditions, and views on the value of Peace Corps service.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Colombia (country of service) Colombia 1971-1973 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: School Lunch Program Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980 Spanish (language) Bogota Chaparral, Tolima National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia

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