Thirty-one US nationals have arrived to begin their two-year Peace Corps volunteer service in Fiji.
The group, who were welcomed in Nadi on Monday, is the 98th group of volunteers to Fiji under the program.
The volunteers went through a 10-week training exercise before beginning their two-year service under the Community Economic Empowerment Program (CEEP).
While welcoming the new cohort, Peace Corps Fiji country director Kury Cobham said for 55 years, communities in Fiji had identified their priorities and the Peace Corps had provided trained volunteers to work with local partners towards those goals.
“CEEP is the next chapter in this success story and one where communities will develop the means of economic security,” said Ms Cobham.
“Volunteer collaboration and partnership with host villages will embrace inclusivity, encouraging participation from a wide range of community members to achieve community goals.”
US Ambassador to the Pacific Marie Damour said the people to people diplomacy the volunteers embarked on would make an impact on many lives for years to come.
“The start of my own service in Fiji coincided with the first cohort of volunteers to return to the Pacific following the evacuation of Peace Corps during the pandemic,”Ms Damour said.
“In late 2022, Peace Corps Fiji welcomed re-entry of two groups of 96 volunteers.
“In January of this year, we welcomed the arrival of 14 trainees as the 97th group.”
According to the Peace Corps Fiji, the new cohort would support their communities in creating viable and sustainable projects that address prioritised community needs.
This year the organisation celebrates 55 years of partnership and support with Fiji.
