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Sense of Nation

Gail Wadsworth 1 June 1972_001.tif
Gail Wadsworth 3 September 1971_001.tif

Nationalism

These letters from the Gail Wadsworth collection explain the increasing nationalism in Uganda.  As the Peace Corps and other foreign aid worked to develop post-colonial world, the post-colonial world worked to develop itself.  One describes the new dress code, which went into effect during her service to preserve Ugandan culture.  The other describes one man leaving Uganda for his native Somalia after his brothers were murdered. 

Debby Prigal 4 January 1981_001.tif

Coup

While serving in Ghana, Debby Prigal experienced a coup d’état.  The government had functioned poorly throughout her stay and in the winter of 1981, the military took over.  In this letter home, she tells her family that she is alright.  However, she notes, “At this point the borders are closed but when they open up I’ll try to get a letter through.” 

Sense of Nation