The United States Peace Corps commemorated its 55^th anniversary in Tonga on 10 November, a happy occasion that also announced the return of volunteers in 2023.

Held under a them, 'Looking Back to Look Forward' the anniversary reception honoured their past partnerships and looked forward to continued collaboration, commitment, and a stronger relationship with the Government and people of of Tonga.

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu and Peace Corps Tonga Country Director, Kristofer Stice cut the anniversary cake.

Hon. Vaipulu said in regards to the theme, we have looked at past experiences and look forward to more experiences that will solidify our future and the future of our children. 

"We also look forward to the return of the Peace Corps volunteers in March and June 2023, which I am sure that will be a great help for the future generation to come in Tonga."

He also commended what Peace Corps volunteers have done in the past and that included assisting the Ministry of Education in English language training not only in Tongatapu but on the outer islands. 

Peace Corps also collaborated with Education and provided new literacy resources. On behalf of the Tongan Government we are happy to welcome the volunteers back to Tonga, he said.

Ongoing collaboration

Mr Stice said the Peace Corps was founded by the late John F. Kennedy to promote world friendship and peace.

Since 1967 when the first volunteers made their way to Tonga over 1700 American volunteers have since served, living in your community, in your villages taught at your schools and now many of them are all over the world, some are back in the US, some are here tonight, and they have Tonga in their hearts and the Tongan language often still on their lips, he said.

"Let us look us look back, let us celebrate but let us not rest on past victories."

He said we are together and pledged to do their very best as the Peace Corps to equip the many people of this country with the skills that are needed to partner and to collaborate to achieve our goals.

At the same time, Antone Greubel, Charge d’Affaires from the U.S Embassy in Suva has the absolute greatest respect for every Peace Corps volunteer who has ever served.  “These volunteers are embedded in the community and commended the bravery that it takes to do just that.

“The Peace Corps is the most reliable part of the United States Government that has been interacting with the people of Tonga over the last 55-years...I am looking forward to expanding from this and as the State Department establishes an Embassy here hopefully next year, he said.

The function was was held at the Liku'alofa venue, at the Tonga National Cultural Center in Havelu.

Meanwhile, the Peace Corps volunteers in Tonga were repatriated to the United States in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.