David Gregory White
David, 25, has not only traveled in Europe but also has been to Mexico and all of the Central American countries. He is from Hills, Minnesota, the same home town as his wife, Joan. After graduation from Macalester College, St. Paul, in history, where he made the Dean's list , he worked as an automotive mechanic. In addition, he has been a machine operator, truck driver, and has had three year's experience with farm chores. For hobbies he likes to work on automobile engines, and radio and record equipment, or turn his hand to cabinet making, plastering, and painting.

Joan’s successes as an urban social developer are described in her bio.  My own work was more limited in scope and affect.  I set up a small mechanic’s shop in the front yard of the two rooms we rented east of the University, where I taught automotive theory and repair using books from GM and scrounged parts --- a 1953Buick Straight 8, a Ford truck rear end, miscellaneous carburetors and other accessories.  Eight mm films loaned by USAID also helped, although the 15 min. feature on the use of the pry-bar could have been better. 

I also taught English classes for U of San Simón medical students, helped public health workers install potable water pumps, and translated some technical manuals for them.  I wasn’t nearly as busy as this sounds.  A lot of mornings were spent on coffee and salteñas – just a ten minute bike ride into town.  In the evening it was sometimes a lomo montado and cacho at a sidewalk place on the Prado.  Once there was a roast duck dinner with Dwight and Peggy Steen’s parents up at Tunari (I think).  And I had time to practice guitar and read most of the books in the locker. 

I was a passable volunteer, but I took a lot more from P.C. and Bolivia than I ever contributed – an appreciation of Spanish and Latin American music, insights into U.S. culture and foreign policy, and friendships with some fine people – Sr. Bustamante, with his museum Castellano, and the Argentinian, Sr. Ferrufino of the Cochabamba office.

That motorcycle photo -- I rented this bike, a 250 Jawa (I think), across from the Hotel Colón and tried to drive it under a bus, nearly succeeding.  The cast on my left hand protected a finger broken in a football game with the Mormons (do you remember the peculiar vocabulary they used to avoid saying swear words?).  One day, Director Bauman came to my site after visiting Santa Cruz.  The second thing he said to me, looking serious "Where is your motorcycle?"  Now I finally know where he got the idea -- Jim K.