Interview with Donald Robinson, August 13, 2020

Interview Summary

Donald grew up in a multi-generational military family. He wanted something different: to have a positive effect on the world without the need of a weapon. His Catholic faith of service influenced his interests. Parent’s friends, professors, and colleagues who were in the Peace Corps and African American had good experiences and encouraged him to join. He graduated from the University of the District of Columbia in Regional Planning. His was a quick application and acceptance process. Pre-service training took place in El Secundo, California; Guam, and Micronesia. Ocean survival training was a unique requirement for serving in Micronesia. Donald worked with the Public Affairs Office in the Truk Region. He developed projects for economic development, including one focused on Japanese WWII sites for tourism and another for fisheries cold storage. He saw his service as 24/7. He learned tolerance, listening, and patience! He blended into an already diverse environment.

Interview Keyword

Military family African Americans Catholics University of the District of Columbia Regional planning Ocean survival Micronesia Truk region Japan Economic development Diversity in the Peace Corps Lessons learned World War II Black Americans Micronesia (Country of service) 1978-1980 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Community Economic Development

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Micronesia Micronesia

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Interview Usage

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