The United States Peace Corps Samoa swore into service its 94th group of volunteers.

This group is the third group to arrive in Samoa since the agency’s return in 2023, following the global pandemic. The volunteers have been instrumental in helping Samoan children with literacy and numeracy.

Present at the ceremony was the Minister of Education and Culture, Seuula Ioane Tuuau who acknowledged the Peace Corps Samoa Office and Peace Corps Group 94 for answering the call to service.

“I could not thank you enough for your determination, solidarity and unity in this friendship that our two governments have shared,” he said.

“We are so proud to welcome you all into our communities and the country of Samoa. I am looking forward to the best combination of talents, skills and attitude for great performances and success for the schools you are working for.”

Since arriving in Samoa in early July, the 11 trainees completed an 11-week pre-service training to gain an understanding of the Samoan language, culture, and education system, practice literacy teaching techniques and learn general health and safety tips for living in Samoa.

“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,” said Peace Corps Samoa Country Director, Gini Wilderson.

“We are pleased to present the 94th cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers, who bring decades of cumulative experience in teaching and education to the transformative experience of Peace Corps service in Samoa.

“We are proud of these 11 individuals for completing a rigorous 11-week training program, which included more than 100 hours of Samoan language instruction, cultural immersion and hands-on technical training in Samoan classrooms.

“They are now prepared to work within the communities they’ll serve to provide additional opportunities for primary students to practice and improve critical reading and writing skills. We would also like to thank the community of Saoluafata for generously hosting and caring for our trainees during their training program.”

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the newly arrived U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Daniel Tarapacki, who led the trainees in the Oath of Service to become volunteers. This oath is proclaimed by every Peace Corps volunteer globally when they transition from trainee to volunteer.

Mr Tarapacki proudly congratulated the new volunteers and spoke about the value of Peace Corps people-to-people relationships.

“Every moment spent in dialogue, every skill shared, and every laugh exchanged adds to the rich tapestry of cultural exchange that has made the Peace Corps a vital part of the fabric of communities worldwide,” said Mr Tarapacki.

The 11 Peace Corps Volunteers will begin a two-year service in their assigned communities, equipped with tools to learn and integrate into their communities through respectful curiosity, collaboration, exchange, and acceptance while celebrating diversity and nurturing equity and inclusion.

They now work at the invitation of the Ministry of Education and Culture to support English literacy and library development and management in Upolu and Savai’i.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, to promote world peace and friendship around the world, build relationships and opportunities, and strengthen bonds among nations.

Since that day, over 240,000 Americans have served in 142 countries around the world. The Samoan government invited Peace Corps Volunteers to Samoa in October of 1967. Since then, more than 2,000 volunteers have served in Samoa, living and working alongside their partners to catalyze positive change.