The Minister for Education, Filipe Bole today welcomed a team of 35 US Peace Corps volunteers into Fiji and thanked the United States of America for the work of volunteers.
The Minister was chief guest at the swearing in ceremony of the US Peace Corps Volunteers at the Centre of Appropriate Technology and Development (CATD) in Nadave.
He told the volunteers that the United States Peace Corps has had a proud history in Fiji given its 37 years of operation in our country.
“Although operations stopped in 1998, I am glad that it had resumed its operations in 2003 and had incessantly rekindled its ties with the people of the nation.
He thanked the volunteers for their sacrifice and the United States Government for embracing its mission.
“I am humbled by your decision to leave your families, friends and the comfort of your homes to come and serve in rural Fiji. I am thankful that the United States of America, under the Peace Corps Volunteers’ mandate, has continued to embrace its ideals to promote world peace through a grand global alliance.
After 7 weeks of living with their different host families in local rural areas, the ceremony also marks the beginning of their 2 years voluntary engagement in Fiji.