Katherine Whitton
Volunteer: Katherine Whitton
Bio:
I was a volunteer in the Federated States of Micronesia from November 2005 until November 2007 working for the Department of Education developing a Physical Education and Health curriculum and going by the local name Sra. After leaving Peace Corps I returned to school, obtained my RN, and now work as a medical nurse in North Carolina.
Contributions from Katherine Whitton
-
Yes, I Do Know How To Swim
The Department of Education is responsible for classroom observations. Four times a year we are supposed to go sit in on a few classes at each of the seven schools; six elementary and one secondary school. Five of the elementary schools are easy to get to, you drive along Kosrae's one road and you pass them. But Walung is reachable only by boat or down a really steep, one year old, hold-on-to-your-stomach rough dirt road. Electricity in Walung is provided by a rarely used generator. Often W...
-
Return To Past
On my first trip to Walung with the Yata Youth Group (where I did all my singing) I found myself awake in the early morning, but not nearly before the cooks or those feeding the pigs or the grandmothers. As I walked on the beach I came across this canoe floating beside modern outboard motor fishing boats. Before the picture was taken I watched a young man paddle the boat into the harbor and unload his nights worth of spear fishing catch.
-
bananas and coconuts
This is one of my favorite photos from my two Micronesian years, it was taken from inside a tiny fruit stand at my Uncle Natsuo's house where I often bought the pictured produce.
-
sunrise from a boat
The tides again determined our approach to Walung. Our silent, dark departure from Tafunsak marina allowed a sunrise approach to a community still attuned with non-electrical rhythms.
-
Nephews and My House
Robby, pictured here are 3 months, was born to my host sister during my service. Baby rearing is communal in Kosrae, usually I was responsible for the early mornings, when Robby and I would walk the beach as the sun rose. In the background you can see our tin roofed house and well swept lawn. The room all the way on the left, and the only one with screens, is mine.
-
Awaiting... Fate
This pig found a cool spot to rest before its participation in a cooking demonstration at the Pacific Island Bilingual Bicultural Association conference on Kosrae in June 2007.
-
Halloween in the tropics
Because we all had those times we needed a little (or big) taste of home and such comfortable memories, the PCVs on Kosrae always had a Halloween party. Complete with long thought-out costumes. And generally bad beer.
-
Meeting Worlds
In July 2006 my United States parents journeyed the thousands of miles and days of cramped airplanes to the tropical heat of Kosrae. Here my best friend Betra and my host sister Shiela wait at the open walled airport for a glimpse of Ninac and Pahpah fashfash (white mom and dad). The visit resulted in much sharing of clothing and many laughs.
-
How To Catch a Reef Fish
This is a bottle and line for reef fishing used by my host brother to catch supper. Surprisingly effective.
-
Katherine's Island
I created a map for my friends and family to better visualize the small island on which I lived.
