A Quick Chat with Jim Mohan

This week's chat is a bit different from our usual format. We were not able to establish a two-way video call, so instead Jim asked a friend to record his recollections of two encounters in his life with UNICEF - a visit to a school destroyed by US bombing in Cambodia, and his meeting with Mullah Omar in which he successfully pleaded for a ceasefire to allow a UNICEF immunization campaign to proceed.

Jim also answered a few questions that he would like to have included in the recording: 

Where do you live and why did you choose to live there? I live near Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Why Cambridge? I have a close extended family nearby, as I had studied at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Kennedy School. The area is lively with a young academic community and a stimulating environment, I love Morning Prayers at Harvard Chapel. Also, Cambridge is close my to favorite island of Nantucket my favorite place. Finally, Cambridge is a great place for receiving visitors: old friends from UNICEF, and Peace Corps...this week Carl Tinstman, and Iris (David Parker's wife).

I also phone many old friends. I spoke yesterday with Alan Brody and Wang Si Ping by phone. And I keep in touch with many friends living in Argentina, Britain, and Ireland.

How do you spend your time? I study languages at Cambridge Community Adult Center (Arabic, Chinese, Italian, French). Also, physical therapy. And of course, politics - I support the Democratic Party, and President Biden issues. I argue for gun control, abortion rights, and justice in the Ukraine War. I especially grieve for gun tragedies...most recently, Buffalo, Uvalde, Tulsa.

What's next on your agenda? On June 12th I am heading next to Hanover, New Hampshire to attend the Dartmouth College Graduation where Kul Gautam will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. After that? Back to my beloved Argentina and my many friends there.