Interview with Jodi Hammer, April 12, 2022

Interview Summary

Jodi Hammer served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador from 1994-97 in a Rural health program. She worked with Mothers Groups in 10 small villages, conducted health talks in primary schools, and did HIV training in schools and with the Red Cross. In the third year she served as National Health Volunteer Coordinator supporting volunteers throughout the country. She earned a master’s degree in International Adult Education through the Peace Corps Masters International Program. She discusses difficulty transitioning back to the US after service, her lifelong commitment to service, and her career with Peace Corps. She describes the love and generosity of her host family, learning about the value of community and accepting people for their differences, and learning from one’s challenges, not just one’s successes. She discusses how communication technology has changed the Peace Corps experience, Peace Corps as a community of like-minded people and problems with Peace Corps’ “5-year rule,” which limits the time people can work at HQ.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (US) Ecuador (Country of Service) rural health (Peace Corps program) 1994-7 (years of service) Urcuquí (community in which she served) Tumbaco (training site) Catholic Relief Services (counterpart organization) Hispanic Community Center of Virginia Assistant Director of Training, AmeriCorps NCCC, 3/1999-8/2003 Career Development Specialist, Peace Corps, 10/2007-1/2020 Global Reentry Career Services Specialist, National Peace Corps Association, 2020-present.

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