Interview with Julia Anne Platt, October 16, 2021

Interview Summary

Julia Anne Platt served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia from 2006-2008 in Agriculture, Education and Health programs. Following college, she had worked for about four years as a graphic designer when she applied to the Peace Corps. She was accepted for a Rural Aquaculture Promotion Program. Her cohort of approximately 60 volunteers received language, technical, and cultural training in Mwekera, Kitwe. Her first site, where she worked for six months, was the small village of Kapatamoyo. However, growing personal security concerns in this location led to Peace Corps relocating her to Fisheni. In Fisheni, Julia promoted the construction of around 20 fish farms, taught English, and held classes in HIV education. She also raised funds for, and oversaw the construction of boys’ and girls’ dormitories for the Madzimoyo Boarding School. Following her completion of service in Zambia, Julia taught English for several years in South Korea, and then returned to the U.S. to pursue a career in nursing, a decision that was a direct result of her Peace Corps service.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Zambia (Country of service) 2006-2008 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer job: Education Peace Corps Volunteer job: Agriculture Peace Corps Volunteer job: Health Peace Corps (U.S)—2000-2010 English (Language) Chinyanga (Language) aquaculture fish ponds Kapatamoyo Fisheni Madzimoyo security Lusaka nursing HIV South Korea NGO Eastern Province

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