2009.02.20: February 20, 2009: Headlines: COS - Philippines: The Daily Sun: Gerry Sherman’s journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer began in 1966, when he traveled to the town of Cabadbaran, in the Philippines, to teach English and math to Filipino teachers
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2009.02.20: February 20, 2009: Headlines: COS - Philippines: The Daily Sun: Gerry Sherman’s journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer began in 1966, when he traveled to the town of Cabadbaran, in the Philippines, to teach English and math to Filipino teachers
Gerry Sherman’s journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer began in 1966, when he traveled to the town of Cabadbaran, in the Philippines, to teach English and math to Filipino teachers
Although there had been bad feeling between America and the islands, Sherman said he was welcomed with open arms when he arrived, encountering a preconceived notion from Filipinos that as an American, the recent college graduate was invincible. “It was hard to find someone who was anti-American when I was over there,” Sherman said of Filipino reactions to his presence. He was the third Peace Corps volunteer to travel to the area. “They believed if you’re American, you can do pretty much anything.” Although Sherman wasn’t the Superman his new friends assumed he was, he did work hard at not only completing the task he was sent there to do, but also learning as much about the country as possible. And like most in his situation, Sherman said he ended up learning a lot more about himself and his view of others than he actually gave to the country he was sent to help. “I don’t think a Peace Corps volunteer gives one-tenth of what you get out of it,” he said. “I don’t remember a lot of what I taught … Mainly, I remember the experience I took away with me.”
Gerry Sherman’s journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer began in 1966, when he traveled to the town of Cabadbaran, in the Philippines, to teach English and math to Filipino teachers
Villager: Peace Corps changes perception of life
By APRIL TOLER, DAILY SUN
THE VILLAGES — Gerry Sherman never intended to join the Peace Corps 42 years ago.
But what initially was a “knee-jerk” reaction to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination would change Sherman’s life, and perception of the world, forever.
“I knew nothing about the Philippines when I got there,” Sherman, a Village of Santiago resident, said of his two-year stint. “When I got there, I was the typical American college graduate know-it-all. I was going to save them from themselves.”
Sherman’s journey began in 1966, when he traveled to the town of Cabadbaran, in the Philippines, to teach English and math to Filipino teachers.
Although there had been bad feeling between America and the islands, Sherman said he was welcomed with open arms when he arrived, encountering a preconceived notion from Filipinos that as an American, the recent college graduate was invincible.
“It was hard to find someone who was anti-American when I was over there,” Sherman said of Filipino reactions to his presence. He was the third Peace Corps volunteer to travel to the area. “They believed if you’re American, you can do pretty much anything.”
Although Sherman wasn’t the Superman his new friends assumed he was, he did work hard at not only completing the task he was sent there to do, but also learning as much about the country as possible.
And like most in his situation, Sherman said he ended up learning a lot more about himself and his view of others than he actually gave to the country he was sent to help.
“I don’t think a Peace Corps volunteer gives one-tenth of what you get out of it,” he said. “I don’t remember a lot of what I taught … Mainly, I remember the experience I took away with me.”
Officials of the U.S. government are hoping Peace Corps experiences like Sherman’s continue in the countries that welcome PCVs and those who have previously resisted working with the volunteer organization.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently visited Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, announcing plans for the Peace Corps to begin working in the country again.
The last time Peace Corps volunteers served in Indonesia was in 1965. They were ejected after being accused of spying.
While Sherman’s work was strictly in the Philippines, he said he believes the Peace Corps is a wonderful organization to help change not only other countries’ perceptions of the U.S., but Americans’ view of the world beyond its borders.
“I’ve thought for a long time that the U.S. would be a lot less ethnocentric, a lot less focused on me, me, me, me, if every high school graduate had to go and spend a year or two living in a Third World country and doing whatever they can do,” he said. “I think the more regular Americans we have living with people in Third World cultures, the better impression the world will have of the U.S.”
April Toler is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9013, or april.toler@thevillagesmedia.com.
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Headlines: February, 2009; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs
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Story Source: The Daily Sun
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