Eleven American Peace Corps volunteers have completed a 11-week community-based training in literacy, culture, intercultural diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and the Samoan language.

A special ceremony was held at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) Samoan fale on Friday morning to mark their completion of the training and to get them inducted formally as Peace Corps Volunteers. They will now be deployed to the different parts of Samoa to begin their two years of service which will bring their total numbers in Samoa to 18.

The induction ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education and Culture, Seuula Ioane as well as the U.S. Embassy Chargé d'affaires Noriko Horiuchi together with the principals and teachers from schools in Samoa and American Peace Corps Samoa employees. 

Speaking on behalf of his ministry and the Samoa Government, Seuula conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. government for the valuable support they've provided for over five consecutive decades in Samoa's education sector and other ministries through the Peace Corps Samoa Volunteers.

"We are here today to witness the swearing-in ceremony of the 93rd group of Peace Corps since the volunteers were first introduced into our country in 1967," Seuula said. "It has been 56 years of partnership that the Government of Samoa has had with the Peace Corps, and nearly 2,000 volunteers have now served in our beautiful Samoa.

"The Peace Corps voluntary programme has played a vital role right from the late 60s up till now and has helped a lot with the development of English literacy in leveraging innovative techniques to ensure no student’s literacy skills fall behind.

"Since the start of the Peace Corps volunteer programme, Samoa primary school students have a real taste of real foreigners to actually teach a foreign language in rural schools and had developed so much for them in terms of first-hand learning from native English speakers, who worked to instil a love of reading and writing. 

"As English is the focal point for the voluntary programme, social and cultural values are emphasised as well as a two-way cultural exchange. Some exchanges went as far as marriages. Some Peace Corps had families with Samoans and their children are well off in terms of best educators with top jobs in Samoa.

"For those who would be sworn in today, I could not thank you enough for your determination, unity and solidarity, in this friendship that our governments had established 56 years ago. Congratulations on your incredible desire to serve Samoa. We are proud to welcome you all in our workforce and offer our congratulations on this Peace Corps volunteer service milestone. 

"Looking forward to the best combination of talents, skills, and attitude that may add up for a great performance for the success of our students in schools where you will be working."

Among the 11 American Peace Corps volunteers who were sworn in on Friday was Pearla Saole who is of Samoan descent. She expressed how excited she is to be volunteering in her homeland, as it gives her the opportunity to learn more about her culture, as well as give back to her community. 

"It seems surreal to be honest," Ms. Saole told this newspaper. "My grandparents are from here and they migrated to the States and never came back. But growing up, I have been wanting to come back to Samoa and give back to my people. 

"I am honoured to be back home and excited for the experience and I am looking forward to sharing my skills with the young children in Savai'i. Who knows, I may decide to stay here for good and never go back." 

As a Samoan who was born and raised overseas, Ms. Saole told this newspaper that she is happy to be back and to be welcomed by her own people. 

"It feels like home. I am honoured and so happy to have this opportunity so I can connect to my culture and help the future generation of my homeland."

The American Peace Corps was established by U.S. President John F. Kennedy on 1 March 1961. Peace Corps is about promoting world peace and friendship around the world, building relationships and opportunities, and strengthening bonds among nations. From the onset, the 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.

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 to catalyze 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.