The first Volunteers (an Ag group) arrived at the start of 1964(?) followed by BR12 in November and BR15 in December - both having been trained as health workers. No large groups were sent after 64, but rather individuals from other groups that had been assigned to other regions of Brazil. In addition there were several nurses, most of whom worked in hospitals in Campo Grande. In October 65, Peace Corps flew everyone (or was it just BR15?) to São Paulo for a conference. This also gave us a jump off point for going on vacation since Mato Grosso was "o fim do mundo" the end of the world - very far from the main population centers and the coast. This saved all of us several, hard days of bus travel go to and return from São Paulo, Rio or the Northeast where most went on their vacations.
BR15 arrived in December 1964 and was sent to sites where BR12 Volunteers had been since September. We had six weeks in-country training. Upon completion of the in-country training we met in Cuiabá (the capital) for two weeks of in-house training given by State health officials. AND THEN to our sites! BR12 and 15 were trained to be health workers and were assigned to state government health post throughout Mato Grosso. |