The Brazil project actually began in January 1962 when 55 volunteer trainees gathered at the National 4-h Foundation in Washington, D.C for the initial phase of the training program from January 3 to February 14. Then the volunteers went to the Peace Corps training camp in Puerto Rico for three weeks of physical and health training. They also spent a week observing the 4-H work in county offices of the Puerto Rican Extension Service. On March 24, forty-three volunteers left for the final phase of their training. They spent six weeks at the Rural University near Rio de Janeiro where the studied Portuguese six hours a day. On May 5, the PCVs returned to Rio for thee weeks of special training by the Brazilian Agriculture extension personnel as well as additional language classes. The final week-long phase of training was held in the states to which the PCV were assigned. The volunteers worked in nine states stretching nearly 2,000 miles from north to south. They received orientation on their state's 4-S Club programs. At the end of this period they moved to their assigned municipios and settled into permanent quarters to begin their jobs. From then the volunteers worked under the local Brazilian extension agents, who introduced them into their communities and have helped them to become acquainted with specific local conditions. |
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