Peace Corps since its establishment in 1961 has seen more than 240,000 American volunteers immerse themselves in life-defining work and experiences around the world — making powerful impact in communities they serve.
For more than 60 years the Peace Corps has globally stamped its mark around the world with its human to human connection strongly complementing its founder, the late US President John F. Kennedy’s challenge for Americans to be willing to serve their country and the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.
In its 60 years, the Peace Corps goal has remained the same from the beginning which is to provide technical support in countries that require or request it.
Peace Corps Fiji has had a milestone run too having offered 54 years of service to the Pacific Island country since its establishment in 1968.
Within the 54 years, Fiji has received over 2500 volunteers.
Peace Corps Fiji country director, Kury Cobham said in regards to its 60 anniversary globally the organisation’s goal has remained the same.
“Honestly it has been a similar goal for the US government for 60 years and I appreciate the addition of the Peace Corps as the arm of government because I think it offers a balance to the other forms of support that the US Government has with its state departments, with its department of defence and with other types of agencies,” Ms Cobham said.
“I think they are offering individuals as a means of support in whatever it takes, in most countries sort of face to face community technical support.
“I think it just offers a dynamic flavour for Peace Corps and standardly at a community level (at a local level) which I think other government agencies within the US Government don’t necessarily get to as intensely as we do for a two year period.”
She said Peace Corps strongly encourage integration.
“Integration is a huge component and we find there is a connection to the strength of integration and successful service because of our promotion of it.
“Yes, you have come to provide your technical expertise as a professional but you have also come to live a life.
“You don’t actually put your life on hold. You live your life here and embrace what Fiji has to offer to enhance your life.”
Peace Corps Fiji director of programming and training Clayton Kennedy said the Peace Corps mission is about human to human connection.
“The world has evolved dramatically over the past 60 years and yet the mission of peace and friendship, the idea that the ways have to, is not through addition diplomacy, not through back door conversations but through breaking bread with people, making that human to human connection and building friendship.
“That is the foundation from which everything else will be born and that is the motto that the Peace Corps uses.
“Before we come in to work on our technical skills we are coming in and eating dinner together, we are learning the language, we are learning the culture and we are learning on how to integrate into a community and honour that space and honour the people that are there and that hasn’t changed for 60 years.
“In that time many others have attempted to replicate that model and we are proud that we have been able to keep it strong and even build upon it to make it stronger over these years.”
Cultural exchange, building long life links and encouraging integration are some of the beautiful aspects of volunteering.
Peace Corps Fiji program manager Dr Seta Vatucawaqa said some of their volunteers have established long life links in Fiji during their stay.
“For instance in the last couple of months towards the end of last year there were two or three marriages,” Dr Seta said.
“It’s not only about culture but is about life too.
“In 60 years it talks about two to three generations of people valuing the culture of the Americans and vice versa – learning of our culture and our language.
“It’s beautiful because it’s in real life context.”
Peace Corps Fiji training manager, Filipe Lomata said the culture exchange between American volunteers and the locals over the years have strongly stayed intact until today.
“When our volunteers come to Fiji or to any post, they go through pre-service training and are posted to an iTaukei village,” Mr Lomata said.
“They get to talk about culture with their village homestay and get immersed into the iTaukei culture, they eat together, learn to cook using local ingredients and they also get to share about their culture too.”
Peace Corps Fiji programming and training specialist, Luse Motoya-Kuruyawa said on integration in Fijian communities’ relationship is very important.
“Something that touches me when reading through these volunteers stories that have returned to America is that most of them have taken more than they have thought they had given to the Fijian communities,” she said.
“They learned about relationships, how important that is and it’s not about what they have but is about how they can share it.”
Diversity and inclusion are also key functions of the Peace Corps.
Dr Seta said the Peace Corps are quite diverse in their approach.
Ms Cobham on diversity said they try to be reflective of the reality and the diversity of the United States.
For the Peace Corps, diversity is a collection of individual attributes that together help the agency pursue organisational objectives efficiently and effectively.
The Peace Corps 60 years anniversary celebration will be held at the Fiji Museum today to mark the organisation’s global milestone achievement.
