Title: Enrique Coelho oral history, 2011

Identifier: OH0265   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15394)

Description: Audio recording and text transcription of an oral history for a Latino oral history event that was held at Joyner Library on April 10, 2011. Enrique Coelho is a doctor from Honduras who came to the United States for better opportunities, but encountered difficulties finding employment in the medical field as a foreigner. He worked at various medical-related jobs in Florida and North Carolina, including as the laboratory supervisor for the water utility of Clinton, N.C. Seeing a need, he began a private business advising and educating Latino immigrant families about legal, medical, and financial issues, and distributing a newspaper to the community. He speaks of the dangers migrants encounter when attempting to reach the United States, as well as challenges in the U.S. with banks, courts, and hospitals. The interview forms part of the Latino Oral History Archive, and was conducted by Drs. Ricardo Contreras (Anthropology, ECU) and David Griffith (Anthropology and Coastal Science and Policy, ECU) with funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council.