Interview with Laurie Oman, March 23, 2022

Interview Summary

Laurie Oman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, from 1967 to 1969, working as a Public Health Educator. Her site of service was in Aguiè, then a village of around 1,000 people. Laurie served with her former husband, Richard Lehtinen, who worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the agricultural sector. Laurie, along with her local counterpart, Maimouna, established a health education and consultation program for the women and children in their village, based out of the local dispensary. With the addition of a USAID-provided scale they were able to establish well baby clinics to better conduct interventions when warranted and to administer quinine used at the time to combat malaria. One of the highlights of Laurie’s service was the creation of a counterpart health educator training program in collaboration with the clinic and medical staff in Tessaoua, the largest city near Aguie. Eight young women graduated from this program, including Laurie’s counterpart, Maimouna, and were able to contribute their skills and knowledge to improving the health of their communities. Laurie returned to her community 30 years later, reuniting with her work counterpart Maimouna and visiting with the friends of family she met during her service. She recounts this journey in her book published in January 2021 entitled Walking Each Other Home Again.

Interview Keyword

Niger 1967-1969 Public Health Educator married couple memoir

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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