Four US Peace Corps of Pacific Island descent begin serving in Samoa

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 12 JULY 2023. Of the 11 US Peace Corps Volunteers that arrived in Samoa on Monday, three are from American Samoa and one from Guam.

It is not the first time this has happened although it rarely happens.

One of the volunteers is Polu who was born in American Samoa and she moved to the United States and continued her education and later worked as a teacher.

Asked why she has chosen to serve in Samoa, she smiled and responded in Samoan that she wants to share her skills.

“I want to share my skills as a teacher with the children of Samoa,” she said.

The other volunteer of American Samoa descent is Leilua who is also excited about the opportunity to serve in Samoa.

Both women are excited for the opportunity to reconnect and hope to learn more of the Samoan culture while they are here.

Lucas is a young man originally from Guam, a US Pacific territory and lived and educated in the United States and is looking forward to serve at whichever school he will be allocated.

According to the Peace Corps Volunteers Program standards, volunteers are referred to by their Samoan name tags for security reasons.

The second team of Peace Corps Volunteers with the Minister for Education Sports & Culture – Seuula Ioane, US Charg’e d’affaires – Noriko Huchin & Peace Corps Country Director Gini Wilderson.

The Peace Corp County Director, Gini Wilderson is thrilled to welcome the second cohort of Peace Corps to arrive after a three years absence from Samoa because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first group arrived in February and the second group will serve under the English Literacy Volunteer program at Primary schools this year.

“We are thankful for the double input of volunteers this year following three years of global evacuation,” she said.

She acknowledged 56 years of partnership between Samoa and the United States through the Peace Corps Volunteer program.

Since the programs inauguration in Samoa in 1967, this is the 93^rd group and more than 2000 Peace Corps has served in Samoa, and whilst some of them returned home after a two year service, some have stayed on and established homes in Samoa.

“The Peace Corps values respect for other cultures, collaboration and acceptance while celebrating diversity,” said Wilderson.

Originally from American Samoa, Peace Corps volunteers Leilua and Polu are ready to serve.

11 Peace Corps Volunteers Welcomed in Ava Ceremony
The Minister for Education Sports & Culture, Seuula Ioane Tuuau and senior officials of the Ministry welcomed the 11 Peace Corp volunteers in an Ava ceremony yesterday.

All of them are attached to the Ministry of Education and will be serving at various primary schools.

Seuula said the partnership between the Ministry and the Peace Corps is not new and the Government’s priority is to develop the future generations of Samoa through educational programs especially in literacy and numeracy.

He wished all the volunteers well and that they enjoy their time in Samoa.