by Linny Folau

Mr Gaddi Vasquez, the World Wide Director for the United States Peace Corps, visited Tonga for the first time on October 18 and witnessed the work of his Peace Corps volunteers as well as reconfirming its ties with Tonga.

In meeting with local journalists in Nuku...’alofa on October 20 he said that based on his observation and the knowledge of those that have been with the program they can attest the fact they have been successful because the people of Tonga have been both welcoming and great partners in the collaborative mission of the Peace Corps.

" Our program here in Tonga is one that I am very proud of as the Director of Peace Corps," he said.



The US Peace Corps now are in 72 countries and have nearly 8,000 volunteers around the world", he said.

Mr. Vasquez upon arrival had an audience with King Taufa...’ahau Tupou IV at the Royal Palace, Nuku...’alofa.

" I had the privilege of meeting His Majesty and I had the opportunity to discuss with him the rich history and relationship between Tonga and the United States Peace Corps,"said Mr Vasquez.

The Director who also met with Hon. James Cecil Cocker, Tonga...’s Deputy Prime Minister, said they discussed the success and the positive results of the meaningful relationship that exists between volunteers who are serving here and the people of Tonga. As well as discussing the continuity of the program and the fact that it has become a solid record of collaboration here in the Kingdom.

Mr. Vasquez said they also talked about the Government of Tonga...’s appreciation for the volunteer...’s willingness to come here and participate in the program and in the community in which they live in.

The Peace Corps...’s presence has been in Tonga since 1967 and an estimated 1600 plus volunteers have worked here since. At present there are 56 Peace Corps volunteers working in various Government Ministries, Non Government Organizations, Community and Primary Education Level.

" The important thing in the United States Peace Corps is in the fact that volunteers live in the community in which they serve, we consider that to be very important and that is one of the hallmarks of the Peace Corp service for 40 years".

President John Kennedy established the United States Peace Corps in 1961 and next year they will be celebrating their 45th Anniversary.

Mr. Vasquez said President Kennedy articulated the mission of the Peace Corp as being one to promote global peace, friendship and understanding and they have been able to achieve some major milestones since that time.

"Just today October 20 in Washington DC, the Peace Corps has achieved a 30 year high in the number of volunteers serving in Peace Corps today, to achieve this is a remarkable statement about the Peace Corps and perhaps the greatest of all is the American spirit ".

He also added that in regards to the future continuance of the program in Tonga, he certainly did not see any alterations towards it, " there are 56 volunteers now and an additional 15 will be arriving in Tonga next month".

Mr. Vasquez is the 16th Director of the Peace Corps and he was nominated by President George Bush and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on 23 January,2002.

He is the first Hispanic American to serve as Director of Peace Corps and the son of migrant farm workers who are of Mexican descent.

Mr. Vasquez who has traveled to over 40 countries as the World Wide Director visits the South Pacific Region for the second time, he left Tonga for Fiji on October 20.