Peace Corps Samoa has welcomed its second group of volunteer trainees since the 2020 COVID-19 global evacuations.
Samoa Global News Online reports the 11 volunteers arrived on Monday and were welcomed with a traditional ava ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture and attended by the U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Noriko Horiuchi and the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane.
Included in the latest group is teacher Annette Ah Young of Faleniu, who is pictured in the photo receiving a cup of ava. Ms. Ah Young spent more than ten years teaching English in South Korea.
Peace Corps’ Country Director Gini Wilderson said the latest arrivals will join the group that arrived in February in addressing critical reading and writing challenges for primary school students across Samoa.
The trainees will now begin an 11-week community-based training in literacy, culture, intercultural diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, as well as the Samoan language.
They will then be sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers who will work around the country for two year terms. The new group boost and the total number of Peace Corps volunteers serving in Samoa to 18.
Photo:Samoa Global News
