Peace Corps Samoa welcome its first Volunteer trainees

APIA, 14 FEBRUARY 2023: Peace Corps Samoa today welcomed its first Volunteer trainees since the 2020 Global Evacuation due to COVID 19. The seven trainees, who arrived in Samoa on Monday, were welcomed in a traditional ava ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (MESC).

Peace Corps Volunteers in Samoa work at the invitation of MESC to support English literacy in primary schools throughout the country.

The ava ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane as well as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Ambassador Tom Udall, and the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, Noriko Horiuchi.

The Peace Corps was established by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961 to promote world peace and friendship around the world, building relationships and opportunity and strengthening bonds among nations.

From the onset, Peace Corps was the aspiration of visionaries who saw how the efforts of individual people who work together to build cultural bridges and understanding could become a powerful instrument for “world Peace through friendship”.  Since that day, over 240,000 Americans have served in 142 countries around the world.

U.S. Ambassador Tom Udall is presented his ava cup and he thanked the Ministry for hosting the Peace Corps Volunteers.

The Samoan government invited Peace Corps Volunteers to Samoa in October of 1967, nearly 56 years ago. Since then more than 2,000 Volunteers have served in Samoa, living and working alongside their partners as a catalyst of positive change. This immersion in the culture and the grassroots approach to development, have been essential for the success of the volunteer projects over the years. The energy, enthusiasm, and passion with which Volunteers come to service are the cornerstones of these transformational experiences.

“With Peace Corps volunteers back in Samoa, I look forward to always strengthening the incredible partnership between the United States and Samoa,” said Ambassador Udall.

Peace Corps’ Country Director Gini Wilderson says, “Peace Corp’s biggest factor for success is our partnership with local communities, especially the local primary schools and communities who have graciously embraced hosting and working with the Volunteers. Working to accomplish peace and friendship is a lofty mission, and I am now reminded of the words of wisdom shared by the first Peace Corps Director Sargent Shriver when he was asked “how do we practice peace?” He simply said: “Caring for others is the practice of peace.”