Nine new Peace Corps Volunteers sworn-in

Peace Corps volunteers are said to spend more than $700,000 annually in Dominica

Nine new Peace Corps Volunteers have been welcomed in Dominica.

They were sworn in during a ceremony held at the Fort Young Hotel on Friday.

This marks 50th years of operations of the United States Peace Corps Volunteers on the island.

Associate Peace Corps Director, Ferne Laurent, stated while addressing the ceremony that over $700,000 is spent by the Peace Corps on a yearly basis.

“It was contributed also to the local economy. Volunteers who were stationed on island contribute on an annual basis, over $540,000 to the local economy, through living allowances which is spent on food and accommodation,” Laurent said. “In addition, we use the services of private doctors and pharmacies. Peace Corps has estimated that its financial input into the economy to be between $700,000 and $800,000 annually.”

Laurent said apart from the economic, developmental and cultural exchanges, there has also been romance.

“Many volunteers have found their spouses in Dominica; some of them remain here, but many of them have migrated,” she added.

Meantime, Minister for Tourism, Senator Robert Tonge congratulated the new volunteers and wished them all the best.

He told them the people of Dominica look forward, “to interacting with you and learning from you.”

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4 Comments

  1. johnjay
    August 20, 2017

    How can a non elected member of Parliament act in the office Prime minister, if I know the constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica for you to hold this position you MUST BE AN ELECTED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.

  2. Long Live Uncle Sam
    August 20, 2017

    Just before the presenting destabilizations and invasions of Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Eqypt, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, by you know who, the Peace Corps did a great softening up job. Dominica, are you ready? Lol!

    • ATKINSON
      August 22, 2017

      So you also mean, when Iraq invaded or when to war with Kuwait, iran and isreal, Russia/ soviet union invading afghanistan, Syria in lebanon, and North yemen invaded south yemen, yea they invaded their own self, like in sudan did :mrgreen: dam them Peace corps people they are worse than the CIA. :mrgreen: Let hope they are in china, to soften it up for tiawan

  3. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    August 20, 2017

    Welcome to Dominica! Hope your experience will be an enjoyable and safe one.
    This is an excellent manner of getting to know various countries and their nationals. Romance? That is to be expected. Hope those marriages, whether in D/ca or those who migrated last “Until ‘natural’ death do we part.” :)
    Once when I visited D/ca I met a Peace Corps lady from the US who was residing at someone I know. We had an interesting conversation of her credentials and work as a Peace Corps. We even discussed US politics.
    They are well-trained for this position and briefed about the countries they will visit including the culture. In general, they are congenial, caring people. Otherwise they would not be in this field.
    The Peace Corps do contribute to the local economy and are helpful in whatever field they will be involved in.
    Whatever part of D/ca they travel to, I hope all nationals accord them due dignity, respect and extend kindnesses as they project to them.

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