New Peace Corps learn the Samoan way
New Peace Corps learn the Samoan way
02 July 2003
Fifteen new Peace Corps volunteers from the United States of America are in Samoa and undergoing an 11-week training course – on Samoan culture, language and living.
Ten have been posted with families in the rural areas, living as sons and daughters of the families and experiencing everyday village life.
The volunteers will then be posted to the jobs they will do to help national development in Samoa during their two-year assignments.
Stacy Plemmons, Country Director for the Peace Corps, said the new group will be officially sworn in 27 August and assigned to their new posts.
Their postings will be decided by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Meteorology.
According to the Peace Corps website: When John F. Kennedy became American president in 1961, he issued a call to service to Americans with these words: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” He manifested this vision by establishing the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.
Since 1961, more than 168,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 136 nations. They work in areas as diverse as bringing clean water to communities, teaching children, helping start new small businesses, and stopping the spread of AIDS.
The website says: Volunteers work with teachers and parents to improve the quality of, and access to, education for children. They work with communities to protect the local environment and to create economic opportunities. They work on basic projects to keep families healthy and to help them grow more food. Their larger purpose, however, is to work with people in developing countries to help them take charge of their own futures.
And one is back to help the training
Kelleah Parsley is the new Technical Training Coordinator for the new volunteers after serving as a Peace Corps here herself 1999-2002.
As a Peace Corps, she was assigned to teach at Maluafou College.
Ms Parsley returned to the United States to start her Masters Degree in International Training However, she said she couldn’t resist the opportunity to return to Samoa as a Peace Corps trainer.
She said she is excited to be back as part of Peace Corps in Samoa.
The part of the Samoan culture that interests her is how the elders are respected and are always placed first, which she says is not found in the American culture.
She is excited for her new trainees and the experience they will enjoy. She says she has also warned them about the local dogs: Some are friendly and some are mean.
