Interview with Charles Cogan, January 23, 2022

Interview Summary

Charles Cogan served in Togo, 1983-1986, in Agriculture, more specifically, animal traction. Animal traction was a project which transitioned from using people to using oxen-powered equipment to turn over soil. As part of this animal-powered technology, Charlie worked with USAID and local extension agents to provide loans and instruct lead farmers who in turn taught other farmers the benefits of animal traction. One of these was that animal traction required fewer people to till soil which meant more children could attend school. During Charlie's third year, he worked on building roads and wells. He met his wife in Togo. After they came to the US, they learned his wife’s brother died of hepatitis after a mistaken diagnosis of malaria. In 2003 Charlie’s work with Rotarians to raise funds for a serology lab in Dapaong to prevent future similar tragedies was realized. He fully supports the Peace Corps-Rotary partnership moving forward!

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Togo (Country of service) 1983-1986 (Date of Service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Agriculture Togo Ghana Burkina Faso Peace Corps (U.S.)--1980-1990 English (Language) French (Language) Language training

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