The U.S. Peace Corps Country Director Gini Wilderson has announced that their volunteers will return to Samoa in February next year after being away for close to two years.
The COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 forced the volunteers to leave the country when there was a worldwide evacuation of U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in March 2020.
Ms. Wilderson said in a statement issued on Friday that the volunteers have been away for close to two years and have been missed, but their program is now back to full strength hence their re-deployment to Samoa next year.
“We are beyond excited to have the Volunteers returning and the program back up to full strength,” she said.
“We can’t wait to get back out into villages and into schools to continue our important work together with our Samoan partners.”
The commitment of the U.S. Peace Corps to Samoa is steadfast with the organisation now having 17 staff on the ground.
The US Peace Corps’ commitment to Samoa remained steadfast—there are 17 total Peace Corps staff in Samoa. The U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Tom Udall and his wife Jill met with the staff a few weeks ago.
Staff with the organisation were also praised by Ms. Wilderson for assisting the local health authorities during the pandemic.
“Huge kudos to the team. During the pandemic they sought to do whatever they could to help while diligently following all local health guidance,” she said in a statement.
