As part of a college study tour, Sunchuk had visited Mexico, South Africa and Costa Rica, where he stayed with a host family for a few weeks. "Those trips weren't tourist trips. It worked out that those (study tour) trips helped me prepare culturally" for the Philippines, he said. His volunteer experience also has helped to prepare him. Sunchuk previously worked in Toms River at the Jane Addams Day Care Center and at Ocean's Harbor House, which assists youths in need and their families. "(Sunchuk) is the type of person who was willing to work and do whatever we needed," said Sid Colvin, Ocean's Harbor House director of development. Sunchuk worked in maintenance, at the agency's resale shop and its emergency shelter, where he helped teach youths cooking skills and engaged them in various social activities. Sunchuk also participated in the "welcome home" ceremony in July at Windward Beach Park in Brick for bicyclists who raised money for Ocean's Harbor House during a five-day, 400-mile journey.
Thomas Sunchuk says his stint in the Peace Corps combines two activities he loves: helping out and traveling
Peace Corps volunteer taking along a little bit of home
By HARTRIONO B. • SASTROWARDOYO • STAFF WRITER •
August 24, 2008
TOMS RIVER — Like some travelers, Thomas Sunchuk Jr. had trouble packing for an upcoming trip.
"Yesterday, I had stuff all over the place, and I had to get a bigger bag," Sunchuk said, looking over a coffee table in the living room that bore the weight of a carry-on bag, books, a toiletry bag, more toiletries in a TSA-approved quart-sized bag, a power cord to who-knows-what, and even more clothes. A set of swim fins lay on the floor.
He added, "I'm still under the weight limit (for luggage), though."
Sunchuk, 22, a Silverton resident and 2004 graduate of Toms River High School North, was making all these preparations prior to leaving Aug. 13 for a Peace Corps stint in the Philippines.
He will spend two years and three months in that southeast Asian country — at first training before being placed at a location yet to be determined.
"I'll be working in the area of children, youth, and family services. I don't know exactly what I'll be doing," but it will include teaching English, Sunchuk said.
The Peace Corps was established in 1961 with the goals of helping Americans and people in other countries to understand one another better, and helping people in the countries served to meet their need for trained men and women.
The United States embassy in Manila notes that "Since the first group of Peace Corps volunteers arrived in 1961, more than 8,500 volunteers have shared their enthusiasm and expertise with Filipino organizations and communities. They work to expand horizons through education, create economic opportunities, promote health, and help protect and restore the environment."
More than 4,324 New Jersey residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961, and Sunchuk is one of 184 Garden Staters currently serving.
Sunchuk, who graduated this year with a degree in social work from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Pomona, said his stint in the Peace Corps combines two activities he loves: helping out and traveling. As part of a college study tour, Sunchuk had visited Mexico, South Africa and Costa Rica, where he stayed with a host family for a few weeks.
"Those trips weren't tourist trips. It worked out that those (study tour) trips helped me prepare culturally" for the Philippines, he said.
His volunteer experience also has helped to prepare him. Sunchuk previously worked in Toms River at the Jane Addams Day Care Center and at Ocean's Harbor House, which assists youths in need and their families.
"(Sunchuk) is the type of person who was willing to work and do whatever we needed," said Sid Colvin, Ocean's Harbor House director of development. Sunchuk worked in maintenance, at the agency's resale shop and its emergency shelter, where he helped teach youths cooking skills and engaged them in various social activities.
Sunchuk also participated in the "welcome home" ceremony in July at Windward Beach Park in Brick for bicyclists who raised money for Ocean's Harbor House during a five-day, 400-mile journey.
During his interview with the Peace Corps, Sunchuk said he was willing to go wherever the agency sent him. In addition to the Philippines, the Peace Corps also has Asian missions in Cambodia, China, Mongolia, and Thailand.
Before the Peace Corps assigned him there, "I didn't know that much about the Philippines. I had a friend who lived around the corner (who is Filipino), and he loved to play basketball and the family was Catholic. That was it," Sunchuk said.
Sunchuk said he will be one of 70 volunteers making the trip to the Philippines, but he most likely will work alone after training. The Peace Corps pays for the trip and provides a small stipend to its volunteers, but otherwise, they live as their hosts do.
Sunchuk will have a piece of home with him. Despite the tropical climate, Sunchuk is bringing a fleece blanket.
"I said to myself, "Why am I taking this?' It's extremely hot there. But it's a comforting item, and even if it sits at the foot of the bed, it'll be a reminder of home," he said.
That, and his swim fins for Scuba diving and snorkeling.
"I heard they have some great coral reefs out there," he said.
Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo: (732) 557-5705 or harts@app.com
