88th group of Peace Corp volunteers sworn in

Peace Corps
The Peace Corps volunteers will work on improving literacy

Six United States Peace Corps volunteers have taken the Peace Corps Pledge, and will serve their mission in Dominica for the next two years.

Peace Corp group EC88 were sworn in on Friday, in a ceremony held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus. The new volunteers will be stationed in schools around the island, where they will work on improving literacy, as part of the Peace Corps Primary English Literacy Project.

Ferne Laurent
Ferne Laurent

Associate Peace Corps Director, Ferne Laurent, described the aim of the program, from its inception in 2014.

“From 2014, the Primary English Literacy Project started with a focus primarily on literacy in the primary schools, with specific focus on grades 1, 2, and 3. Through this project, Peace Corps volunteers work alongside teachers to help improve literacy needs to students, especially struggling readers,” she explained.

She remarked that the organization’s target of improving literacy achievement through assessing students and developing literacy intervention programs, has been accomplished by all volunteers.

Laurent commended the Peace Corps for their work in literacy, particularly in library development and expansion, which facilitated the development of thirteen school libraries in Dominica. She also deemed the use of student librarians “most successful, as it has empowered the students, and allowed them to claim ownership of their libraries.”

Mary Kate Lowndes
Mary Kate Lowndes

Peace Corps Country Director for the Eastern Caribbean, Mary Kate Lowndes, advised the new volunteers to allow their character to help them through the challenges they may face in a new environment.

“You will face these new challenges, armed with the skills knowledge, and determination, and enthusiasm that you each have demonstrated since you arrived here…” she said. “Your open hearts and open minds will help you to be successful.”

Lowndes noted that the volunteers will be “vastly changed” by the experience, and urged them to share their own American culture, while being open to Domincian traditions.

Prior to being sworn into service, the volunteers participated in six weeks of training in St. Lucia. Most of the training focused on preparing them to provide literacy instruction in Grades 1 to 3.

Since completing their training, they have worked in various primary schools around the islands.

The volunteers have been assigned as follows:

Annisha Bell – Grand Fond Primary School

Susan Graf – Calibishie Primary School

Robert Hall – Penville Primary School

Kathleen Kennedy – Wesley Primary School

Kimberlie Hansen – Sineku Primary School

Kiah Thorn – Grand Bay Primary School

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6 Comments

  1. Tell the Facts
    August 23, 2016

    Welcome to Dominica! Thank you for serving Dominica in the schools. Being a different country, it will be a learning process and an experience for you which I am certain you will enjoy.
    Enjoy your two-year stint and stay in Dominica.

  2. dno sucks
    August 23, 2016

    dno is a jamaican product

  3. dno sucks
    August 23, 2016

    dno is another arm of labor.beware

  4. zandoli
    August 22, 2016

    Thanks guys for giving of your time and effort in the service of our country.

    You will be greatly rewarded for it.

  5. August 22, 2016

    Thanks to all the peace corps.

  6. focus
    August 21, 2016

    Thank you for the contribution of your time and skills

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