Interview with Nikita Jones, February 20, 2023

Interview Summary

Nikita Jones served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras from September 2005 to December 2007, in the Municipal Development program. Her mother is civic minded, and community service was always part of her life. A study abroad program during graduate school spurred her interest in working in another country. Nikita was part of the Hondu 7 training cohort. She attended training in Santa Lucia and La Esperanza, living with host families at both locations. Training included Spanish language, culture, and project best practices. Trainees were sent on tasks that required them to find their way independently. Nikita was assigned to the town of Siguatepeque, initially working with Habitat for Humanity. She met a couple who were developing an orphanage, and decided to work with them in the Aguas del Padre community. Her work included conducting a community health census. She integrated into the community easily and developed strong bonds with her local friends and fellow PCVs. Nikita credits Peace Corps with changing her career trajectory. She has returned to Honduras and remains in contact with friends there.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Honduras (country of service) 2005-2007 (date of service) Spanish (language) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Municipal Development Peace Corps (U.S.)--2000-2010 Hondu 7 cohort African Americans many faces of Peace Corps #manyfacesofpeacecorps diversity in Peace Corps Santa Lucia Honduras La Esperanza Honduras Tegulcigulpa Honduras Siguatepeque Honduras Aguas del Padre Honduras Habitat for Humanity community health census Peace Corps Office of University Programs

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.