February and July 2005

Greetings to my fellow BCHS 1960 classmates:

Here I am in Vanuatu, a third-world country off the coast of Australia.

In three months I will be finished with Peace Corp service which involved teaching math on a remote (I am the only white person) island in this country.

It is pretty close to the equator and very hot. There is no such thing as air conditioning or even fans. I do have electricity when school is in session for about 2 1/2 hours at night. It certainly has been quite an experience. The classrooms are overflowing with students as this country has most of its population under the age of 18. Many children do not go to school. Illiteracy is high, especially in the Banks Islands, which are among the most remote in Vanuatu.

There are no homeless people here as the lush vegetation yields lots to eat and family is an important value in this culture. The people here are warm and friendly. Few have been exposed to media of any kind and without its influence, think very differently than people who have that.

The isolation has been among the many challenges but it has been the gift of a lifetime. I have come to truly appreciate solitude.

E-mail is unreliable but mail is wonderful to get and many friends have been great with that.

Chris Torey has been a faithful correspondent.

Most helpful has been Joyce Davidson who has sent many "care" packages that has helped me survive.

I will miss the Reunion this time and the latest edition of everyone.

It is always so nice to see and catch up with the folks in my class.

I am wishing you all the best and look forward to the big 50!

Kathy Carey Sanderson