PAULA HOLTMAN - OKINAWA, BOLIVIA
Hometown: Conception Junction, Missouri
Education/Work:
Studies:
- Northwest Missouri State University – Psych/Soc. and K-12 Spanish certification
- University of Kansas – Master of Social work
Work:
- Liberty Public Schools K-3 Spanish teacher 2002-present
- St Gabriel’s Parish Youth minister 1998-1999
- St. Joseph Youth Alliance Assistant Executive Director 1997-1998
- Tarkio Academy Outreach Prevention Coordinator 1995-1996
Other Volunteer Site: Casa de Esperanza - Santa Cruz, Bolivia (In 2001, after Okinawa)
Time in Okinawa: Arrived in January 2000
Fellow Volunteers/Sors: Courtney Carpenter, Marina Large, Mickie Biggs, Dan Herrera, Natalie Herrera, Brian Terrien (although not an SLM), Sor Geraldina, Sor Carmen, Sor Lucia, Sor Lucila, Sor Anabel
Living Arrangements:
- 6 months in the Japanese volunteer house with Marina, Courtney and Mickie.
- 6 months in the Japanese house behind the Japanese youth hangout with Marina and Natalie
- 1 month with the Sors after my Service at Casa de Esperanza
Teaching:
- Japanese School: 4-9 English and Computers
- San Francisco Xavier: 7-8 English, 7-12 Computers
Other Activities/Responsibilities:
- Sor Carmen asked me to help start a Padrino Program
- Youth Group outings to other communities
- Soy Nutrition education in the rural communities
- Family night
- Salesian retreats/monthly get togethers
Free Time: cards, play dough, bubbles, rocket launcher, paint, make jewelry, paint nails, etc.
Memories:
Mass, flying with Padre, going to the communities with Sor Nora/Sor Carmen, walks with Mickie, praying with Natalie, praying/bible study with the Sors, retreats with Courtney and Marina, giving Dan and Brian a hard time, Kris and Adam’s songs, bonfires with the professors, playing with the basicos, the dragon that lived in our yard, Courtney, Marina, and I all getting sick just after arrival, etc. Classroom Adventures: What can top having 50+ students?!
Frustrations/Challenges:
- After being bitten by a dog I had to get the rabies shot – 14 shots in the stomach!
- Kidney stone
- 3 hospital stays in 1st month
Additional Comments:
Okinawa is a very special place! I hope I can have many other similar experiences in the future!