The Peace Corps divides its projects into three areas of expertise: Education, Community Health, and Business. During our pre-service training, we typically had 4 days of training common to all areas (Bislama class, safety & security, policies and procedures, culture) with 1 day when we would split up to focus on work / training specific to our project area.
The Education Project is known as SHREP – Strengthening Human Resources through Education Programs. SHREP volunteers work throughout Vanuatu educating students, building the capacity of teachers, strengthening institutions / developing educational resources, and developing communities. This could entail anything and everything from hands-on teaching at elementary, secondary, or university; writing curriculum that can be implemented by teachers throughout the country; provide teacher training; or perhaps even working with an institution to gain certification. Group 23 has 15 SHREP volunteers.
The Community Health Project has volunteers in both the Shefa and Penama provinces of Vanuatu. Volunteers support health and hygiene programs throughout the country by working with village health workers; strengthening village health committees and aid post committees; organizing and facilitating health awareness workshops; and working with village water committees to improve water systems throughout the country. Group 23 has 14 community health volunteers.
The Business Project is known as the PEACE (Provincial Economic and Community Empowerment) Project. PEACE volunteers work with existing organizations to meet their objectives and achieve self-sufficiency; assist Provincial Area Administrators conduct community assessments; organize and conduct training and workshops; and assist and train community leaders. Group 23 started with 12 volunteers. However, four people have either been medically separated or chose to return to America, so there are currently 8 volunteers within this project – including me.
I started work as a PEACE volunteer on November 8 with ACTIV Association – a non-government organization (similar to a non-profit in the U.S.). ACTIV stands for "Alternative Communities Trade in Vanuatu and works to market and sell Vanuatu products. Some of these products are being grown or produced within areas currently served by other Peace Corps volunteers, so it’s likely that I’ll have business as well as personal contact with volunteers scattered throughout the islands. One of the major things ACTIV is considering is certification as an organic cocoa bean exporter – which will be a major effort to complete. But ACTIV also works to market and sell vanilla beans; pepper; various oils; honey; hand woven mats, baskets, and portfolios; and even grass skirts. Since starting, I’ve been busy completing a product inventory and getting ready for the annual Christmas Exhibition which runs the last week in November and the first week in December. Over the next two years I look forward to working with the organization to develop and implement its strategic plan, streamline day-to-day business activities, explore opportunities for funding, and seek out ways to improve visibility within the community.
The office is about a 25-minute walk from my apartment, and I work 5 days a week from 8 am to 4:30 pm every day. However, like other businesses in Port Vila, the office is closed each day from 11:30-1:30, so I get a wonderful mid-day break to do whatever! The office is only a block away from the Peace Corps office, which is great because I can drop in to check on mail, packages, and work on my Blog and Facebook – or just hang out with other volunteers. The Medical Office is also there, so it’s easy for me to pick up my favorite new fragrance: Eau de Deet!!
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