Interview with Christopher Wells, July 6, 2021

Interview Summary

Christopher Wells served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines from 1985-1988, as crisis Corps volunteer in the US Gulf Coast in 2005 and hosted a COVID-19 Evacuated Volunteer in 2020. He discusses the influence of an early mentor on his service in the Peace Corps. Wells discusses joining the Peace Corps as a practicing psychotherapist to better understand family dysfunction in other cultures. He talks about his life and work in a fishing village. Wells also worked in an indigenous community training midwives in community health. Wells then worked on agricultural development, including creating a community demonstration farm. He discusses the circumstances around separating from his wife, marrying a Philippine woman. Wells describes his work in international development agencies in the Philippines. Wells comments upon the dysfunction with FEMA during post-Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Wells concludes the interview by assessing his impact as a volunteer and Peace Corps’ impact on his life and career. Wells believes that Peace Corps needs greater public exposure.

Interview Keyword

Philippines (Country of Service) 1985-1988 (Date of service) Gulf Coast, United States (Country of service) Crisis Corps People Power revolution Ferdinand Marcos Louie Sarracino Corazon Aquino Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Baong (Palawan, Philippines)

Interview LC Subject

Marinduque (Philippines) Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Philippines Palawan Island (Philippines) East Los Angeles College (Calif.) Languages Manners and customs

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Interview Usage

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