Interview with Kelley McCready, June 5, 2023

Interview Summary

Republic of Liberia, 1971-1975, Rural Development Construction Chicago Regional Recruitment, 1975-1977, Recruiter Peace Corps Headquarters/DC, 1977-1983, Special Services Officer

Kelley McCready grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in a middle-class family. He had a desire know about the world outside of his 99% White, parochial hometown. Kelley graduated from the University of Wisconsin/Oshkosh with a degree in art. His roommate at UW-O continuously talked about joining the Peace Corps. A recruiter convinced him to apply. Kelley was assigned to a rural development construction project in Liberia. His hands-on Pre-Service Training was held in a school in Sanniquelle along with short visits to current PCV sites. Kelley actually had three service sites, the first in the capital city, Monrovia, with the Ministry of Rural Development and Urban Reconstruction, where he provided administrative support. His second posting was in Kolahun where he provided logistics support for 10-12 construction projects, e.g., schools, clinic, market, in the area. His third posting was as a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader (PCVL) of other Volunteers in Lofa County providing peer oversight and support. Kelley shared his perspective on relationships, the change process, and cultural influences on work. Kelley also shared examples of his three staff positions.

Interview Keyword

Republic of Liberia Rural Development Construction recruiter Chicago Special Service Officer Washington, DC Fond du Lac University of Wisconsin/Oshkosh art degree Maury roommate Peace Corps recruiter Placement Officer Philadelphia staging expectations Gene Phil Peter Dave PCVs Pre-Service Training Sanniquelle Guinea Ivory Coast freed slaves Patois local language de-selection patriarchal society Monrovia Ministry of Rural Development and Urban Reconstruction Jim Director administrative work Kolahun work site logistics support Guinea Sierra Leon Edmond counterpart USAID CARE Zin Zin road Zoz Zoz road memorable moments relationships change process cultural influence Saclepea training center training administrator recruiter special services officer

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