An Nortehanon

United States (U.S.) Peace Corps volunteer Lee Enzastiga assured that the “tragedy that befall our fellow volunteer Julia Campbell will not in anyway affect thevolunteer services we are doing in the province of Northern Samar.” Enzastiga is currently assigned in the province as consultant on water and sanitation projects and Ecological Solid Waste Management of the provincial government of Northern Samar.

Enzastiga said that though they deeply mourn forthe tragic death of Campbell, they hope that it was just an “isolated case” and life for them will go on after the grieving stage for their fellow volunteer.

Campbell met her tragic death while taking a vacation at the famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao province. She was assigned at Legazpi City and previously at Donsol, Sorsogon, where she taught people theEnglish language and how to care for the environment.

Just recently, all 137 U.S. Peace Corps volunteers throughout the country were called by their Manila office to attend memorial services for Campbell before her remains were flown back to her hometown in Virginia, U.S.A.

When asked for his reaction on the Campbell tragedy, Enzastiga said he, too, was a little bit worried of his own personal safety but he nonetheless hoped that Campbell’s tragedy will never happen to him. In his 11-month stint in the province, he said that “I am very much encouraged with the Nortehanon’s hospitality, kindness and their warm smiles whenever I am immersed with them in the community. They also taught me how to speak the Waray dialect and on occasions invited me in their homes to share their meals.”

Though his family back in Virginia, U.S.A., have expressed apprehension for his safety in the Philippines, he assured them that security in Northern Samar is well enough for a foreigners like him. Also, he believes his family understands the nature of his job since the spirit of volunteerism runs in his family. His Mexican father was also a volunteer when he married his American mother and his brother was also with an organization which helps abused children.

At the provincial government, Enzastiga is based at the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) but also teams up with the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) for the construction of water works projects, and also with the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) for its solid waste management programs.

Prior to his Northern Samar assignment, Enzastiga, a civil engineer by profession, has also done volunteer works in Honduras, building houses for homeless people.

Enzastiga admitted that they are not paid for their works but rather “it is just our sense of dedication and love for our fellowmen which drive us to become volunteers.” Volunteers just rely on an allowance granted to them by their agency.

The U.S. Peace Corps sends out volunteers in developing countries, including the Philippines, to assist in projects like environmental protection and promotion of cultural exchange between two nations. (Analiza T. Flores, Information Officer I)