2007.08.15: August 15, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Older Volunteers: INQ7.net: Peace Corps Volunteers take oath in Philippines
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2007.08.15: August 15, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Older Volunteers: INQ7.net: Peace Corps Volunteers take oath in Philippines
Peace Corps Volunteers take oath in Philippines
John Davidson would not have returned to the Philippines had he felt joining the Peace Corps would put him in harm’s way. The 62-year-old volunteer, who met Campbell back in 2005, looked unfazed and was determined to pursue a dream that had been put on hold since he was 18, when the Peace Corps was just starting out. “I’ve always thought it was a good idea ... I come from a poor family and I was fortunate enough to do well in life. And now, I’ve finally reached a stage in life when I can do what I’ve always wanted to do," said Davidson, who brought along his wife, Jean, for his two-year stay here.
Peace Corps Volunteers take oath in Philippines
57 US Peace Corps workers deployed in RP
MANILA – The new batch of 57 American Peace Corps volunteers took their oath before US Ambassador Kristie Kenney Aug. 3 before they were deployed to various places in the Philippines for a two-year tour of duty.
They took inspiration from the work of Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell who was murdered by a carpenter while hiking in the Mountain Province in Luzon early this year.
Coming from various parts of the United States, they vowed to continue the 40-year-old tradition of the Corps to reach out to Filipino students, environmental organizations and youth groups. Named as the Group 266, they were sent to various provinces in Luzon and the Visayas, skipping Mindanao where security is not very good for foreign workers.
Some of them were interviewed in a briefing with media after their oath-taking. Here’s how the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on their briefing: “I don’t think what happened to Julia reflects the Filipino people at all. I don’t think anybody here has any apprehension about his safety," said 23-year-old Grant Tse, an education volunteer.
Initially, Michelle Moravec longed for home. But weeks of staying here had taught her that a second home could be found in the company of strangers who have become her friends.
“It’s difficult getting used to being away from home, but the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people have really overcome my fears... I’m going to see some of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’m so excited," said Moravec, in a briefing with media after her group was sworn in yesterday.
John Davidson would not have returned to the Philippines had he felt joining the Peace Corps would put him in harm’s way. The 62-year-old volunteer, who met Campbell back in 2005, looked unfazed and was determined to pursue a dream that had been put on hold since he was 18, when the Peace Corps was just starting out.
“I’ve always thought it was a good idea ... I come from a poor family and I was fortunate enough to do well in life. And now, I’ve finally reached a stage in life when I can do what I’ve always wanted to do," said Davidson, who brought along his wife, Jean, for his two-year stay here.
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney administered the oath of service to Group 266 at the historic Charles Parsons Ballroom of the US Embassy in Manila before an audience that included the volunteer’s host families, government officials and nongovernmental organizations who have partnered with the Peace Corps to pursue the volunteer mission. “You are coming here filled with talent. You have very diverse backgrounds, but you bring extraordinary strength. You also bring great dedication, you bring the spirit of giving," Kenney told the volunteers.
“You have been willing to leave behind your homes and your families and your jobs to come to a new and strange country because you’d like to make a difference. And you will," she added.
The new batch of volunteers will stay with host families across the Philippines, including Northern Philippines, where Campbell was slain in April. Their places of assignment include Benguet, Baguio City, Vigan, Laguna, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Cavite, Palawan, the Bicol Region, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental and Leyte among others. Fifteen of the volunteers will serve under the Children, Youth and Families program, where they will engage in efforts to help disadvantaged children, including street kids, abused minors and children in conflict with the law. A group of 25 will work with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to help improve English teaching programs in high schools, colleges and communities.
Some 17 volunteers will work under the Coastal Resources Management program, which aims to protect and preserve the Philippine coastline’s marine biodiversity, considered among the richest in the world.
Prior to pursuing their assignments, the volunteers trained for three months in language, culture and “technical aspects related to their chosen fields," the US Embassy said. It included training in safety and security “because we are living in communities and working with people and making friends," said Crisis Corps coordinator Kate Kochersberger.
Speaking in behalf of Group 266, four volunteers took turns in conveying their message to the audience: Davidson in English, Rebecca Lawrence-Gomez in Filipino, Moravec in Visayan and Zachary Florent in Ilocano.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: August, 2007; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Older Volunteers
When this story was posted in October 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: INQ7.net
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Philippines; Older Volunteers
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