History and Culture: Peace Corps in Vanuatu
Despite intermittent talks between the government of the newly independent Republic of Vanuatu and the Peace Corps through the 1980's, a Country Agreement was not signed until 1989. The first Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in Port Vila in late 1989. During the first four years of its existence (October 1989 - August 1993), the Peace Corps/Vanuatu (PC/V) program was administered by Peace Corps/Solomon Islands. Following the initial programming assessment trip, it was determined that PC/V would concentrate resources and Volunteers in the education sector. The first three Volunteers arrived in 1989, and were assigned to teach either Math or Science at two different Junior Secondary schools. They were followed a year later by three additional Math and Science teachers.
The third generation of Peace Corps Volunteers, three Small Business Advisors assigned to work at the
Development Bank of Vanuatu, arrived in mid-1991. Their job was to train bank personnel assigned to the various branch offices located around the country. They were soon followed by what was to be the last contingent
of Math and Science teachers assigned to the Junior Secondary School system. By the time these Volunteers would COS in December 1993, the Ministry of Education was confident that they would no longer require expatriate Math and Science teachers at the Junior Secondary school level. Unfortunately, this projection was not accurate so Peace Corps continue to provide assistance in this area. This group also included the first Volunteer assigned to one of the many community based Rural Training Centres (RTC) in the country.
The second generation of Small Business Advisors for the Development
Bank of Vanuatu arrived in November 1992. Their arrival brought the
total number of Volunteers in-country to eleven, divided across 5
different Assignment Areas. To assist in the day to day management of
the program, a Peace Corps representative/nurse was hired. However,
despite the hard work of the PC Representative and the Peace Corps
Solomon Islands staff, it was becoming increasingly clear that the PC/V
program could not be efficiently managed and administered from Honiara,
almost 1000 miles away. Thus, a Peace Corps office opened in Port Vila
in September 1993. Establishing a permanent, day to day presence in
Vanuatu led to a new and more collaborative and mutually productive
relationship with the government than was possible in the past. The
permanent presence also allowed Peace Corps the opportunity not only to
explore new programming areas, but also allowed for an increase in the
overall number of Volunteers that could be effectively and efficiently
supported in-country.
In 1993, there were 10 PCVs in-country, this number increased to 16 in
January 1994, 20 in January 1995, 27 in January 1996 and 27 in January
1997, 48 in January 1998. In 1999 there were 46 volunteers and in 2000
there were 50 volunteers, an increase made by relocation of 6 Ex Solomon
Islands volunteers. The majority of Volunteers continue to be placed in
Education Assignment; in Secondary Schools, Rural Training Centers and
Communities. In 2001, Peace Corps recruited its first Youth Developments
Volunteers to work in the Department of Youth and Sports.
In 2002 Peace Corps placed the first Primary Teacher Trainers to work with Zone Curriculum Advisers in the Department of Primary Education. Also in 2001, Peace Corps initiated the YAEB project with Volunteers working in activities related to environment, youth development, business development and agriculture.
By the end of 2002 Peace Corps Vanuatu had approximately 60 Volunteers serving as:
- Secondary School Teachers
- Rural Training Center Instructors
- Primary School Teacher Trainers
- Youth Development Workers
- Cooperative and Business Development Advisors
- Environmental Conservation Advisors
- Agro-Enterprise Advisors
Peace Corps Vanuatu continued to gradually grow and enhance its program of assistance to Vanuatu in 2003 and 2004. The number of Volunteers at a single point in Vanuatu rose to a historic high of 83 in 2004 with Volunteers assigned to nineteen of Vanuatu's islands.
2003 and 2004 also marked milestones in terms of defining the goals and objectives of Peace Corps Vanuatu's role in terms of providing development assistance in the areas of education, agriculture and micro-finance. Peace Corps Vanuatu and its development partners in each of these sectors agreed to Memorandum of Understanding and Project Frameworks that defined in detail the goals, objectives and activities that Volunteers would seek to support in their work. These documents help ensure that the work of Volunteers in Vanuatu is desired and relevant to our partners like the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, and the Vanuatu Rural Development and Training Centre Association (an NGO providing non-formal education opportunities).
In June 2005, Peace Corps started its first community health program in Vanuatu starting and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health defining the goals, objectives and activities that the two organizations would jointly work towards. This MOU helps define the scope of each Volunteer's assignment. With the introduction of the health program the "youth program" was phased out, but youth development is a cross-cutting theme that many volunteers address in their activities that compliment their primary assignments.
In 2006 through 2008 the program continued to grow reaching a high of 105 volunteers in 2007. There were 93 volunteers onboard in March 2008.
Peace Corps' programme in Vanuatu is committed to help:
- Ni Vanuatu increase opportunities for education and training and to improve the quality of education for young people.
- Communities and institutions develop and implement strategies for the wise and sustainable use of their natural resources.
- Identify and promote opportunities for income generation by Ni Vanuatu through an on-hands approach to training, production and the marketing of products and services.
- Orientate health services to a promotive and preventive model so that the individuals, families and communities are capable of making changes that result in better health.
- Strengthen national and local institutions that provide development services to Ni Vanuatu, particularly those in the rural areas.
- Facilitate the delivery of other important development programs and resources to rural communities and institutions including the reduction of risk from natural disaster.
Volunteers in 2008 work as in-service trainers of primary school teachers focusing on the improving the quality of basic education particularly relating to literacy; teachers of math, science and information technology at secondary schools; capacity builders at rural vocational training centers; facilitators of development opportunities for women and youth; promoters of agriculture and business opportunities; and environmental conservation workers assisting communities to manage their beautiful and precious natural resources.
Working and living with Ni Vanuatu at the community level is the theme that transcends the varied assignments of Peace Corps Volunteers. Volunteers are distinguished by their respect for culture, ability to speak Bislama, and willingness to live in some of the most remote areas of the country. They are Americans ranging in age, gender and experience, but all share a commitment to the goals of Peace Corps and to the people of Vanuatu.
The work of Volunteers is now channeled through three projects that address complimentary objectives and activities. These projects are called the Provincial Economic and Community Empowerment Project (PEACE), Community Health Project and the Strengthening Human Resources through Education Project (SHREP). These projects utilize the Volunteer to help build the capacity of local institutions and communities while also strengthening linkages to national development goals and resources.
Among all Peace Corps programs in the world, Peace Corps Vanuatu has had the highest percentage of Volunteers extending for third, fourth or fifth year. In 2007 and 2008 between 15 and 20 volunteers are "extending volunteers".
I would like to thank the Peace Corps for the increasing contributions of Peace Corps Volunteers, who have helped in a big way to improve the lives of the people in rural areas. Honorable Ham Lini Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Vanuatu (2009)