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Collection of Papers on the VISA Program in Tanganyika

 Collection
Identifier: SFHL-RG5-321

Scope and Contents

Collection of correspondence, reports, reminiscences, newsletters, and other memorabilia fo participants in the VISA Program in Tanganyika in 1961-1963. Includes the papers of Werner and Helen Tyson Muller, Oliver Wilgress, and Garry Thomas.

Dates

  • Creation: 1961-2018

Creator

Copyright and Rights Information

Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce items in this collection beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder or their heirs/assigns. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/.

Biographical / Historical

The VISA (Voluntary International Service Assignments) Program of the American Friends Service Committee was organized in the fall of 1960. The first volunteers arrived in Africa in the summer of 1961. Participants underwent six weeks of orientiation at Pendle Hill, then did further intensive language training in the field. They then did community development work and lived in the communities within which they served. Although many Quakers were involved in the program, volunteers came from a number of religious traditions.

VISA volunteers in the first group (1961-1963) included Werner Muller, Halen Tyson, Mary Anderson, Mary Mitchell, Joan Lerner, Mac Brasfield, Tony Henry, Mel McCraw, Oliver Wilgress, Gary Thomas, David Giltrow, and David Wallace. The program was led by Harry and Lois Bailey who brought their children, Jeannie, Glen, and Nancy. Later participants included David Elkinton, Arthur Larabee, and many others. VISA's involvement in Tangayika ended in 1967.

Extent

.75 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language

English

Overview

Collection of correspondence, reports, reminiscences, newsletters, and other memorabilia fo participants in the VISA Program in Tanganyika in 1961-1963.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Collection of Papers on the VISA Program in Tanganyika were individually donated to Friends Historical Library by Werner Muller, Olivar Wilgress, and Garry Thomas in 2018 and 2019.

Bibliography

Weisbord, Marvin R. Some Form of Peace: True Stories of the American Friends Service Committee at Home and Abroad. New York: Viking Press, 1968. See Chapter 7, "Haki Ya Mungu," which is about the VISA program and the Mullers.

Processing Information

Processed by Patricia C. O'Donnell; completed May, 2018.

Source

Subject

Title
Collection of Papers on the VISA Program in Tanganyika
Status
Completed
Author
Patricia C. O'Donnell
Date
May 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

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