American Peace Corps, or Pisikoa as they are fondly called here, are returning to Samoa next February, nearly two years after being evacuated because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a press release, Country Director Gini Wilderson said that the volunteers had been missed but their program is now back to full strength, hence their deployment next year.
“We can’t wait to get back out into villages and into schools to continue our important work together with our Samoan partners,” she said.
There are currently 17 staff at the Moto’otua offices and they met with U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Tom Udall and his wife Jill, a few weeks ago.
The Country Director praised her staff for helping out at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Samoan Ministry of Health requested assistance from Peace Corps Samoa’s medical team and Dr. Sarah Brown, Dr. Sheila Pierce and nurse Joyce Collins, were all pleased to play a role in vaccinating 5 to 11-year-olds.”
The Peace Corps office also loaned the use of a car and driver, to transport the teams to the school vaccination sites; and other staff participated in community volunteer activities.
“They didn’t stop,” said Wilderson.
“It took some creative and careful co-ordination but they were determined to help in any way possible.”
Photo: Samoa Observer
