Interview with Tommy R. Chambers, August 17, 2021

Interview Summary

Tommy R. Chambers served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zimbabwe, from 1993 to 1995, in the Education/Arts sector. He served in the second group sent to Zimbabwe. Chambers had been working for 25 years before volunteering as a guest curator at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. As part of the application process, he provided a portfolio of curatorial projects and exhibitions. He received funding from the Social Science Research Council to computerize the Permanent Collection information, and he initiated/taught “The McEwen Photographic Studio” for the gallery’s art school. He met a host country national who invited Chambers to spend time with his family. This experience became the subject of a photo exhibit. USIS provided a grant for the exhibition, and the family traveled to Harare for the opening. Chambers also initiated a vocational arts group for local children living on the streets called SKIA (Street Kids In Action).

Interview Keyword

Zimbabwe (Country of service) 1993-1995 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)--1990-2000 Shona (Language) Harare (Zimbabwe) Street Kids In Action (SKIA) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Arts

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Acculturation Communication and culture Culture Culture shock Intercultural communication Interpersonal communication and culture Interpersonal relations Interpersonal relations and culture Language and culture Language and languages Lifestyles Manners and customs Voluntarism Volunteers

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.