2008.07.03: July 3, 2008: Headlines: COS - Kiribati: Safety: Pacific Magazine: Peace Corps To Quit Kiribati

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Kiribati: Peace Corps Kiribati : Peace Corps Kiribati: Newest Stories: 2008.07.03: July 3, 2008: Headlines: COS - Kiribati: Safety: Pacific Magazine: Peace Corps To Quit Kiribati

By Admin1 (admin) (70.250.245.178) on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 11:09 pm: Edit Post

Peace Corps To Quit Kiribati

Peace Corps To Quit Kiribati

Country Director Michael Koffman says the frequent cancellation of domestic flights to some islands where Peace Corps volunteers work does not provide the conditions agreed in order for PCVs to serve the country. Koffman emphasized that when a volunteers get sick or need medical attention, it will not be possible to provide assistance because the plane will be unable to land on that island.

Peace Corps To Quit Kiribati

Peace Corps To Quit Kiribati

By Batiri Bataua on Tarawa

Thursday: July 03, 2008

The American Peace Corps program is pulling out of Kiribati in November after 35 years because of poor domestic air service.

Country Director Michael Koffman says the frequent cancellation of domestic flights to some islands where Peace Corps volunteers work does not provide the conditions agreed in order for PCVs to serve the country.

Koffman emphasized that when a volunteers get sick or need medical attention, it will not be possible to provide assistance because the plane will be unable to land on that island.

He adds the life of all Peace Corps Volunteers wherever they are is paramount, and it’s the duty of his office in Tarawa to make sure that they are always in good health and to react immediately if they need medical care.

There are about 50 US volunteers currently serving in Kiribati in the field of education, health and local government. Koffman said these volunteers will be distributed to other parts of the world where Peace Corp serve.

Along with these personnel, funds allocated for Kiribati for Peace Corps program will be shifted to other countries.

The country director says if the situation in domestic air service returns to normal, Peace Corps can consider returning to Kiribati.

During the 35 years of Peace Corps in Kiribati, more than 500 young American volunteers have served in Kiribati. They speak the language fluently, they understand the culture and even joined the locals in their daily lives — cutting toddies, going out fishing and cultivating 'babai pits.'

They respect the 'maneaba system', where the old men rule and make decisions and they even sing and dance. Some of them also fell in love with the locals, married and had children. Some I-Kiribati are now in USA with their Peace Corps wives or husbands.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: July, 2008; Peace Corps Kiribati; Directory of Kiribati RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Kiribati RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers





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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Kiribati; Safety

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