Seven Peace Corps volunteers have been sworn in to assist Dominican students in literacy from grades k-3.
Ambassador of the United States to Barbados and The organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Linda Taglialatella said the Peace Corps groups are committed to their work with Dominica and look forward to further strengthen their partnership.
She spoke at the United States (US) Peace Corps induction ceremony at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open campus Auditorium on Friday, August 23rd, 2019.
“This group of young and diverse individuals will collectively work with the schools and the Ministry of Education to instill a lifelong love of reading and writing with young learners. The Peace Corps partnership with the government of Dominica and the ministry of education leads to this project focusing on literacy in grades k through three,” Taglialatella said.
She added, “Peace Corps relationship with the people of Dominica is one that goes beyond the volunteers’ assignments. Volunteers have integrated into their communities to make lifelong friends… some have even married or raised families here. Others have returned, decades after their service here in Dominica. This is an incredible exchange of culture, personalities and friendships.”
Ambassador Taglialatella added that the Peace Corps plans on having another group of volunteers to come in 2020.
Meantime, Minister of Foreign affairs, Francine Baron said the Peace Corps has provided 52 years of service to Dominica.
“You have traveled from different parts of the United States to be in Dominica and you will be working with us in advancing our goals of ensuring that our children obtain the best possible education. We know that these years are crucial learning years for our children, if the foundation is set right then it makes the rest of their school life much more productive,” Baron stated.
She went on to say, “The government and the people of the Common Wealth Dominica are indeed grateful to the United States Peace Corps service and the United States Peace Corps volunteers for the continued dedicated service for the past 52 years to our country and we are also pleased for your advocacy and efforts on our behalf to ensure that these group of young people can be in Dominica today to assist us in the field of literacy.”
Baron stated that Dominica has enjoyed its friendship and relationship with the United States for many years and is pleased that the Peace Corps is here to strengthen that collaboration.
She added that apart from their assistance in education, they have also worked in the areas of small business development, environment, information technology, gender affairs and sports, among others.
This is the 91st group of Peace Corps volunteers that has worked in the Eastern Caribbean.
It was an honor to be a member of EC1 in 1966. It was a life changing experience and I maintain contact to this day with many of my Dominican friends and I hope to visit Portsmouth again this coming Fall.
Welcome to Dominica EC91 literacy PCVs! As a Returned PCV from EC33 (1982-84), I read the article with interest, memories and hope. Admitedly, it made me feel a bit old — 58 groups have come and gone since ours? I am thankful to have served when I did, and am among those priviledged to share the past 33 years with a Dominican as a life partner. And a couple years ago we even had the honor of meeting the very first Peace Corps Volunteer to serve (Portsmouth) Dominica — Joan Belmore EC1 back around 1964…and still very much alive. DNO may well want to do an interview with her sometime soon.
We welcome the Peace Corps Volunteers; we want you all to spy on the one-man corrupt rogue regime prime mistake and report back to the USA! Help us undermine this one-man corrupt rogue regime and bring him down!!!
The volunteers have their hands full doing their jobs while clandestinely “observing” the indiscretions and other dodgy activities of the cabal that threatens democracy and the security, safety and overall stability of the americas
Glad to see so many people among the group of Peace Corp volunteers. Welcome all.
I remember fondly Mr. Ford, an American from New Jersey, who taught us how to play baseball.
Oops, sorry I meant …young people of color among the group of Peace Corp vounteers.
Are We going to get them peace corps to build a sea wall to protect the village of Scott’s Head as MMCE will not be given that contract ? they say ”THE Billion not for that” .
literacy and education you hearing they here to help with.