Interview with Keith Pearson, April 18, 2022

Interview Summary

Keith Pearson served in the Marshall Islands from 1970-1973 as a TEFL instructor. He joined at the encouragement of his cousin who had served in the Peace Corps. He trained on Saipan with 110-120 other volunteers who were all going somewhere in Micronesia. His first year was on an outer island of Arno, and his last two years were on an even smaller island called Wotto. Getting adequate food supplies for the month between supply ships was a challenge and his diet was limited, but he learned to fish, gather crabs, and utilize some local fruits like breadfruit and pandanas. He developed a taste for coconut sap but once got very sick after drinking some that had had poisonous bugs in it. He helped build the school on Wotto, bringing back supplies and figuring out what needed to be done. Teaching was rote learning, and the children, who enjoyed a lot of freedom, were not always attentive, but many of his students ended up passing the exam and moving on to high school. He loved living on the islands working with the islanders. He had a tremendous experience and made great friends.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (US) Marshall Islands (Country of Service) 1970-1973 (Date of Service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: English as a Second Language Areas Discussed (Marshall Islands and Micronesia) Diet Transportation Island life Friendships

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