Our training program was contracted by PC to the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. First 5 weeks consisted of an intensive Portuguese language training at an isolated mountain lodge in Indianhead, Wakefield, Upper Michigan (teachers were all native Brazilians - English was "forbidden". In-country training was held at the Teacher's Training Center - CTP (operated by the Mato Grosso (MT) State Secretariat of Education and Culture and the Brazilian Ministry of Education and Culture with assistance from ACARMAT, the Association of Credit and Rural Assistance of MT) in Coxipo da Ponte, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso.
The PCVs were then sent into various small towns in the then-Mato Grosso State (dismembered in 1979 into North and "South" where they worked with ACARMAT's rural youth development. Follow up:The following is a list of PCV trainees in Group 44B present at the Indianhead Mountain Lodge, Wakefield, Michigan/University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, assigned to the State of Mato Grosso (MT), Brazil, fall of 1968 (Towns assigned to are in parenthesis):
Ken "Paulo" Raeder
February 2006
(deceased Oct 07)
Submitted by Nina Brewer, RPCV, Brasil 1968-70, formerly known as "the baby lady"
The existing list is very incomplete. Most of the people listed were assigned to Mato Grosso. There are only 2 Sergipe volunteers listed.
This training group was comprised of trainees bound for the states of Mato Grosso and Sergipe, Brasil. Intensive language training took place at "Campo Olympia" Wakefield, MI. After initial language training, the groups were split. The Sergipe group went to Indianhead Ski Resort in upstate Wisconsin. Time at Indianhead was short and the Sergipe group went to UWM-Milwaukee for approximately 3 weeks. In Milwaukee, the SE group lived in rooms at the Hotel Milwaukee, located near the Red Light district. At the time the group was living there, the hotel was the "home" of the Wisconsin Black Panther movement. There was a great deal of "activity" in the hotel.
Training in Milwaukee was in a small lecture hall at UW-M. I believe trainees received about $5/day for meals and incidentals. Several trainees often had breakfast in the cafeteria at the Milwaukee Journal because it was very inexpensive for a full breakfast. Training consisted of minimal continuing language studies and classes in English on various topics relevant to Brasil. Trainees also received some introduction to "Head Start" which was the designated program to be carried out in SE.
Selection/"Deselection" (a somewhat harrowing experience) took place in Milwaukee. In September, 1968, both groups, SE and MG, left via chartered plane for Recife, PE. Several volunteers made the trip to NY-JFK via the '68 Democratic Convention and riots in Chicago. One trainee (me) missed the plane at JFK.
Trainees were then moved from Recife to Aracaju, Sergipe, (and, respectively, to Mato Grosso) to continue in-country training and assignment.
List of Sergipe (SE) assigned volunteers and trainees (incl. some who left the training program) can be found on the web through one of the Peace Corps sites.
Although incomplete, here are the names of PCV's who served in the SE group, 1968-70 JoAnn Lewandowski (married name, Connolly; widowed, married to Tom George), Suzanne Frey, Judy Mahan ( married name, Crinolio), Leslie Vossen, Kit Jacobsen, Toni Owen (married name was Carter) Wendy Schaerer, Nonny Congelosi, Nina Brewer (married name was Cole) JoAnn Kryzeminski (deselected, later readmitted after petition by Sergipe PCVs; left after approx one year) Harvey Kaplan Jim Kennedy, Alexander (Sandy) Casky, Fred Emmert, Jose Gomez (served briefly) John and Judy MacGregor (now Steele) Cary and Carroll Perry, Penny and Steven K (?) (served approx. one year)
Submitted by:
Nina Brewer
RPCV, Brasil 1968-70, formerly known as "the baby lady"
October 2006 |
