Interview with Brian Minalga, September 26, 2020
Project: Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Brian Minalga served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger from 2008 to 2010, and Namibia from 2010 to 2012, in the Education program. He worked as a Peace Corps recruiter upon return, in 2013 and 2014. During college, Brian volunteered in an East African community in Minneapolis, which contributed to his desire to join Peace Corps and learn more about those he was serving. His first assignment was Niger, as a Teacher Trainer. Zarma language; history; culture; and technical training was conducted in Hamdallaye, near Niamey. Brian was posted to Dosso, at Lycée Saraounia Mangou. His second assignment was in Opuwo, Namibia, where he taught at Kameru Primary Eco School. He received Otjiherero language training in Okahandja. The interview discusses motivation for serving; training and work at both sites; living in Niger and Namibia; relationships with host families and friends; and attitudes toward LGBTQ+ community members in the areas where he served.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview Keyword
Niger (Country of service) 2008-2010 (Date of service) Namibia (Country of service) 2010-2012 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps (U.S.)--2000-2010 Peace Corps (U.S.)--2010-2020 Peace Corps staff Peace Corps Staff Job: Recruiter LGBTQ+ SOGI minority Zarma (Language) Djerma (Language) Hamdallaye, Niger (Training site) Dosso, Niger (Assignment site) Lycée Saraounia Mangou, Niger (Assignment site) Opuwo, Namibia (Assignment site) Kameru Primary Eco School, Namibia (Assignment site) Otjiherero (Language) Okahandja, Namibia (Training site) Diversity in the Peace CorpsInterview LC Subject
Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Niger Niger Namibia Peace Corps (U.S.)--NamibiaInterview Rights
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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.
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Minalga, Brian Interview by Julius Sztuk. 26 Sep. 2020. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Minalga, B. (2020, September 26). Interview by J. Sztuk. Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Minalga, Brian, interview by Julius Sztuk. September 26, 2020, Peace Corps: The Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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