Peace Corps Response Volunteers to arrive in Chuuk soon

Gov. Johnson Elimo and Robert Reid. (U.S. Embassy Kolonia)

Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Chuuk for nearly 50 years, with the first Volunteers arriving in the State in 1966. This relationship continues to grow and in 2015, the Peace Corps Response Volunteer program will also be instituted in Chuuk.

The Peace Corps Response program differs from the traditional Peace Corps Volunteer program, and focuses on bringing in volunteers who are experts in their field and generally have at least 10 years of work experience. They bring professional skills to build local capacity in health, education, and other sectors of civil society. Peace Corps Response was formally established in 1996 under the name Crisis Corps and to date over 1,500 Volunteers have served in more than 50 countries.

In January, Peace Corps Country Director Dr. Robert Reid signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chuuk Gov. Johnson Elimo for a new initiative to bring Peace Corps Response Volunteers, technical specialists, to build capacity in education and disaster coordination efforts in Chuuk.

Five education accreditation experts will work with their counterparts at the Chuuk Department of Education to assist elementary and secondary schools to move toward accreditation. In addition, two curriculum development specialists will work with their Chuuk Department of Education counterparts. The Peace Corps Response Volunteer assigned to the Disaster Coordination Office will work with the DCO to enhance disaster risk reduction and response planning efforts.

From left: Robert Reid and Kiki Stinnett. (U.S. Embassy Kolonia)

Reid, along with Mason Fritz, Peace Corps Chuuk Volunteer Support Specialist, discussed this collaboration with Elimo and Kichy Joseph, and reassured them that the Peace Corps is committed to assisting the peoples of Chuuk in these program areas, as well as with other priorities.. In regard to the education reform efforts in Chuuk, Reid stated, “This visit to Chuuk has been helpful to understanding how the work of our specialists can assist the ongoing efforts of the CDOE to improve the quality of education for Chuukese students. I was impressed by the commitment of those Chuukese citizens involved in this reform process to ensure its success.”

Elimo and Reid also agreed to jointly plan and commemorate, “as is our custom,” the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary in Micronesia, which is coming up in 2016. “The close relationships our Volunteers have formed with the peoples of Chuuk are a great reason to have a large celebration,” added Reid.

Additionally, the Peace Corps Country Director signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chuuk Women’s Council president Christina “Kiki” Stinnett to bring technical specialists to build capacity in health and NGO development. The first expert will work with the Chuuk Women’s Council to build capacity in their health education efforts as well as to assist the CWC to move towards sustainable operations.

Reid and Fritz discussed this collaboration at the CWC office with Stinnett, affirming that the Peace Corps is committed to continuing assistance with priorities of the CWC. Reid toured the CWC office and saw the new apartment and office that have been prepared for the Peace Corps Response Volunteer. The Chuuk community, including the Truk Stop Hotel, have pitched in to help furnish the apartment and office. After the tour, Reid stated, “Our discussions with the leaders of the Chuuk Women’s Council have energized our desire to commence collaboration with the CWC our specialists will greatly assist on-going initiatives to strengthen civil society in Chuuk. (U.S. Embassy Kolonia)