Squirrel - Sherry Berger

I began traveling in my early twenties and found that it offered a mind opening perspective of life in relation to the lives of others around the world. Since then, I have explored close to 30 different countries throughout Europe and Central America, being immersed in their cultures and customs, many of which lack the freedom of artistic creation and expression. The realization to have had so many opportunities in life, like that of an art education, continues to be the driving force behind my motivation.

Spending summers in my home town Philadelphia, time is spent as a graphic designer/art teacher/ and art exhibition/charity fundraiser for the (no name) Art Group. Winter months are spent volunteering abroad and teaching art/english to children in underprivileged areas.

An "around the world" adventure begins January 22, 2006 and ends...

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Joined on: October 17th 2005
Last Login: June 10th 2009

Blog Entries: 69
Photos: 535
Recommended by 2

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Blogs & Travel Journals

by Squirrel, order by Date newest first.

By Squirrel
April 17th 2009

The Workshop: Take 3! Asia » Vietnam

Sock Momma
The gifted Miss Nguyen creating her sock creatures

Hope this blog find everyone well. I know I’ve been out of touch with most, and I apologize! I’m at the end of my volunteer time in Vietnam (I think) and for sure it has been the busiest yet. With a very fried brain, I can’t conjure up many personal thoughts/reflections at the moment, but I can write a little bit about what I’ve been doing and can post some photos to give you an idea. (If you’re unfamiliar with the project, please see below for links to the beginning stages.) First off, I’ve been in business mode - and have [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
March 13th 2009

Nanny for a month Oceania » Australia

Me & Harrison
Aunt Sherry's webcam = fun!

I’m always inspired with how smart children are, 20-month old Harrison has been no exception. With no concept of time, he’s a master at living in the moment. Looking at everything as if it is a fascinating miracle, which means a smooshed bug on the floor is as spectacular as a fancy diamond ring, and a garbage truck is way cooler than...anything. This also means a stroll down the street could take hours as we discuss at length every leaf, stone and bug that come across our path. Life is stress-free, happy and simple, and Harrison keeps me smiling (and busy!) [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
September 28th 2008

Memory Portraits: Vietnam Asia » Vietnam

Me & Nguyen
I was happy to create a portrait for Nguyen...for those following the blogs, Nguyen is the girl "living with a broken heart"

Warm greetings from Vietnam! I’m full swing back into the disabled woman’s workshop that we began back in March 2008. But one of the most exciting aspects of my return was being able to deliver the memory portraits created by women of (no name) Art Group. ( About the project ). This time I’m happy to post actual video, which really shows the impact of the project. The women were touched beyond words and I was honored to represent the selflessness and talent of our group here in Vietnam. I feel it's proof that shari [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
May 24th 2008

3,540 Trees Europe » United Kingdom

Little Beauty
"Number 1 of a limited batch of 3500"

Blogging from May 3-10th, 2008 For my last week, I set out for the Scottish Highlands to join up with Trees For Life, a non-profit organization I’ve been fond of since the (no name) Art Group Candle Project 2004 (our environmental beneficiary). They are also the organization from whom I’ve purchased many little tree gifts from. Volunteering with TFL would be an opportunity to do something a little different, working with the earth instead of people. Gettin dirty and doing something out of my comfort zone keeps it all interes [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
April 29th 2008

Scotland Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Aberdeen

Sketching
There's something nice about setting out to do something, than doing it. I said I'm drawing castles in Scotland on my holiday...so here I am, drawing castles in Scotland on my holiday! Could do withou... [more]

"It will all be ok in the end. If it's not ok, it's not the end." For sometime now, I couldn't stop my gut from wanting to see the castles along the coast of Scotland. This gut decision wasn't the most "logical idea" (as if any of them have been). It came with a pretty pricey plane ticket and an ungodly transit from Vietnam: 4 planes, 2 taxis, 1 bus, and some gold old fashioned time and patience got me here in about 2 days. Still say this is not a bad deal, going across the globe in a weekend. It [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
April 17th 2008

Meeting The Trees In The Forest Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Hoi An

Me And Karen
Taking the boat back from Thanh's engagement party on the island. I am well loved and cared for in Vietnam. THANK YOU mum for everything!

The redwood trees are the tallest and strongest trees in the world, living for up to 2,200 years and reaching up to 380 ft. in height. Yet the root system of the redwood tree is surprisingly shallow, there is no main root. The way in which the trees are able to remain upright and strong for millennia is by growing close together with other redwood trees, intermingling and sharing root systems. Lifestart continues to grow on all levels. Karen's workload is shared by many others, adding to the success of the organization. Thank you to everyone who has gone above and [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
April 16th 2008

Workshop! Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Hoi An

Sample Embroidered Card
Inspired by the talented Alicia Freile, the class responded well to a simple stitch card. I even caught the volunteers making them!

My main assignment here in Hoi An is running a workshop for some of our gals in the disabled group (aka the Sweethearts). Our goal is to make a small product line of arts/crafts to eventually be sold online. Giving them the ability and skills to create a small range of quality crafts, we hope to provide them with a sustainable income, increased self-confidence and independence in their lives. The workshop runs 4 hours a day/5 days a week, but my schedule has been more like 24/7. It's been quite the challenge to say the least. Coordinating translators, seating, wheelchairs, ramps, [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
April 14th 2008

Living With A Broken Heart Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Hoi An

Nguyen
"Oh very beautiful!" One of Nguyen's few phrases in English. She uses it for everything and it's great. Nguyen, how about a photo by these flowers? "Oh very beautiful!"

Meet our 2nd Nguyen. Nguyen “2” was born with a heart condition, commonly referred to as a “hole in the heart”. In developed countries, this would be detected at an early age and fixed by a fairly simple procedure. But living in Vietnam, Nguyen’s condition was not diagnosed until recently. She needs a complete heart and lung transplant, which at this stage is close to impossible, even if performed in a Western country. At 21 years old, Nguyen has been given a maximum of 2 years to live. She must also be very cautious. We're told that if she catches any [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
April 6th 2008

Seeing Strength, Not Weakness Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Hoi An

Hoa
Hoa's disabilitly, not to mention financial hardships, doesn't prevent her from smiling. She is surrounded by a very supportive husband and 2 beautiful children making her "very lucky".

Insight On Disabled Life In Vietnam This time last year a group of 65 disabled adults contacted Karen. This special group all live in or near Hoi An and are all disabled in some way - some through accidents, some through cerebral palsy or polio. Meeting with the group sounds like a feat in itself. Very few cafes and meeting places are wheelchair accessible. Here are some notes taken from Karen's blog last year: ...there is currently no help, support or grants the group was receiving. and they were not meeting to apply for help or sponsorship. (They looked at me [View Full Entry]

By Squirrel
April 5th 2008

Meeting Nguyen Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » Hoi An

Nguyen
Nguyen's life the past 12 years on wooden planked bed. Blinking once for yes and twice for no, Nguyen allows us to take photos.

Before last Saturday, we knew nothing of the boy living around the corner in the center of town. Meeting Nguyen (pronounced NEW-in), age 29, shook both me and Karen. It’s not exactly certain what has happened to Nguyen, how, or when it happened. Western doctors Josh and John assess that a combination of encephalitis at the age of 18 (virus in the brain), a motorbike injury, head trauma, broken bones, malnutrition and neglect have left him in this current condition. Despite his broken body, Nguyen’s brain functions normally. He has finished 12 years of schooling before the accid [View Full Entry]

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