Interview with Michael "Mick" McGuire, November 22, 2021

Interview Summary

Michael "Mick" McGuire and his wife Kristy served from 1988-1990 in the Dominican Republic. Mick worked in the Appropriate Technologies Program. His mother emphasized community service and he recalls learning JFK’s famous “Ask not what your country can do for you, …” quote at a young age. Mick is a mountaineer and enjoys adventure, after an incident while climbing in Mexico when an elderly woman insisted on filling his empty water bottles, he decided he would someday pay back her kindness, and did so by joining Peace Corps. Mick had construction experience, so after training in Santo Domingo they were assigned to a remote mountain village, La Loma de Maimon, where they assisted locals to build a school. They overcame many challenges including; dengue fever, no living quarters at the site, missing materials, a mule falling into a 10’ latrine hole, recruiting villagers to help, and the closing of a bank that held the project’s funds. After working as extras on a Hollywood movie, they were able to make enough money to complete the school. When they visited eighteen years later, the school was still serving the community. Mick has continued being adventurous, owns a small business, and enjoys being active in community affairs.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Dominican Republic (Country of Service) 1988-1990 (Dates of Service Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Appropriate Technologies illnesses money problems living quarters dead mule building a school La Loma de Maimon (volunteer site) adventure

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