SVG gets eleven new Peace Corps volunteers

Yesterday, eleven new Peace Corps volunteers were sworn in to serve in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, during a swearing in ceremony at the Frenches House.{{more}}

The 83rd group of Peace Corps Trainees join their fellow volunteers here, for two years of service in the country.

The names and the assigned organizations of the 11 volunteers are as follows: Brett Burk assigned to the Union Island Secondary School; Chad LaRoche will work with the West St. George Secondary School; Elizabeth Deppe goes to the Central Leeward Secondary School; Garett Switzer has been assigned to the National Youth Council; and Jessica Greathouse is assigned to the Cane End Primary School. Katherine SanFilippo will work at the House of Hope Society; Kiersten Anderson will go to the Keartons United Community Organization; Noah Rios is assigned to the Owia Primary School; Patricia Carter will work with the National Council of Women; Valarie Pelletier goes to the Emmanuel High Mesopotamia and William Carter will work with the Campden Park Technical Institute.

The volunteers were offered advice during the ceremony, which included all eleven trainees taking an oath. Associate Director of Peace Corps in St. Vincent Cuthbert James encouraged the volunteers to make an impact in the communities in which they will work. James added that not all plans will be successful and some will take time to develop, but if seeds are not planted in the community, volunteers must not expect to reap a harvest.

Giving the feature address, Director of Marion House, Deborah Dalrymple spoke of the contributions that several Peace Corps volunteers have made over the years. Dalrymple recalled trainees as far back as 1993, when Peace Corps Volunteer ‘Marion’ assisted the organization in developing a substance abuse programme. She also mentioned ‘Katy’, ‘Dr. Tom’ who started a counselling programme and ‘Leslie’ who assisted in training staff to produce proper financial records. Dalrymple added that several other volunteers were also attached to the Youth Assistance Programme and have made an impact during their time with the organization.

She also spoke about a personal experience with a Peace Corps Volunteer, while she was a child growing up in Barrouallie. This individual, she said taught her, along with other children how to swim, although they already knew how to do this. She said that it was later on that she learnt that the volunteer was attempting to build the capacity of the children.

Remarks were also made by Country Director Kevin Carrel, who stated that the Peace Corps gives Americans the opportunity to see the Caribbean in a different light and to make a change in the lives of the people they come into contact with.

PCV Jessica Greathouse also made brief remarks at the ceremony. Certificates were also presented to the homestay families of the volunteers.