The following is an article that was published in today’s (7/11) News Enterprise newspaper. It’s an interview I had with journalist Robert Villanueva on Wednesday.
PREPARING FOR THE PEACE CORPS
By ROBERT VILLANUEVA
CECILIA — Until recently, Sherry Wooden knew “nothing” about South Africa, aside from what she considered basic knowledge.
But since the 34-year-old Cecilia resident applied for service in the Peace Corps and found out she would be serving there for two years, that’s changed.
“Now I’m pretty educated,” Wooden said, explaining she has done research about the country.
Her application process began las September. She received her invitation to serve in South Africa on Nov. 2.
The Peace Corps is a federal agency “devoted to world peace and friendship” with it roots going back to 1960, according to its official Web site.
As a resource specialist, Wooden’s primary duties will be in computer literacy and the integration of information and communications technology skills into the classroom. Wooden will work with teachers, school directors, students and community members on ICT-related programming.
“A lot of schools don’t have a library,” Wooden said. “I hope to be able to start one.”
Wooden will fly Saturday to Washington, D.C., for basic training and leave from there Monday for Africa, after receiving vaccinations.
“They say one of the things you learn at basic training is how to take bucket baths,” Wooden said.
After landing in Johannesburg she will take a 90-minute bus ride to the province of Mpumalanga. She will receive a few more days of pre-service training while staying at Marapyane College in Marapyane, including basic greetings in the native language of Setswana.
After her pre-service training, Wooden will stay with a host family in one of the surrounding villages until Sept. 15, when she will be officially sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer.
“When that happens, they’ll send me to whatever site I’ll be serving at for the next two years,” she said.
Wooden then will live with another host family during her service, either in the province of Mpumalanga or Limpopo.
“I can be from 30 minutes to six hours from the next volunteer at that point,” she said.
Wooden will be going with a group of 42 volunteers. Each volunteer gets their own host family.
Depending on where she will stay, Wooden will learn one of the native languages.
“That’s probably what I’m most nervous about, is learning the language,” she said.
The 2002 Western Kentucky University graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology. Her studies made her aware of the Peace Corps and she wanted to “have a chance to contribute her knowledge.”
Wooden saw Peace Corps service as a chance to learn about other cultures, learn new languages, challenge her and give her a “life-changing experience.” She recently left her job at Cardinal Health where she worked ordering medical supplies and equipment for medical facilities throughout the country.
Since accepting the South Africa service, Wooden has learned that South Africa is experiencing its winter, with temperatures dropping to near freezing at night and getting warm during the day. Many homes in South Africa don’t have running water or electricity, and some areas that do have electricity experience frequent power blackouts.
“That part doesn’t make me nervous,” she said. “Those are just things.”
In addition to doing online research, she’s communicated with an online group of past Peace Corps volunteers who have served in South Africa. Their advice and information have helped her answer many questions.
“They’ve said their host families are their second families,” Wooden said.
In fact, the volunteers told her several things they wish they had packed that the Peace Corps packing list did not have, including a laptop computer, multipurpose tool and headlamps.
Wooden also learned about the food she might expect to eat, primarily “pap,” a corn meal eaten with vegetables or sauce.
“They said pap is usually a part of every meal,” Wooden said.
Her biggest concern, she said, is that she do the best job possible.
“I’m probably more excited than anything,” she said.
Choosing what to pack has been one of the hardest parts of preparing for her service, Wooden said. But leaving home also means saying a lot of goodbyes, which also has been difficult for her.
“It’s sad that she’s leaving for 27 months,” her father, Raymond, said.
Joyce, her mother, said she is glad her daughter has the opportunity to go but will miss her.
“It’s bittersweet for me,” Joyce said.
The Peace Corps volunteer is anxious about her service. She expects to make new friendships and learn new things while helping others.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the experience is going to change me,” Wooden said.
Filed under: Peace Corps Miscellaneous
