FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 31, 2003 -- The Peace Corps understands the concerns that volunteers and their families may have regarding the effects of the current military action in Iraq. We continue to monitor the events in Iraq, as well as the political and public climate in all Peace Corps countries.

The Peace Corps is prepared to take any necessary actions needed to ensure the safety and security of its volunteers. Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. is in constant communication with the State Department, U.S. Embassies, and staff in each Peace Corps country.

Each Peace Corps post has an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) specific to that country and developed in cooperation with country staff, the U.S. Embassy, and Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. The plans are tested frequently and information updated constantly. Volunteers are thoroughly trained in their role and responsibilities in the EAP.

Families are encouraged to contact Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services with any questions or concerns they may have. Special Services maintains a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week duty system. The telephone number during standard office hours is , Extension 1470; the after hours number is . The Office of Special Services may also be contacted via e-mail at .

Posted by andrew at 08:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Usually I get woken up with a face full of kitten whiskers. This morning I jolted upright out of bed as my entire fale was shaking around 6 in the morning.

We've had a few quakes since we arrived in Apia in October of last year, but nothing like this. My house is built of concrete and cinder blocks and is a seriously solid structure. But this morning it was blowing in the breeze like a reed.

Here's the story from the Samoa Observer:

Samoa wakes to tremors

by Gerard P Williams
29 March 2003

Samoa woke yesterday morning to an earthquake registering 5.9 on the Richter’s Scale.

It lasted 60 seconds.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest, Fisheries and Meteorology reported yesterday that the epicenter was 155 miles off the west coast of Samoa. Quakes in the past had been centered near Tonga, however, this was one closer to the Samoa group.

An official from the Meteorology Division at Mulinu'u said the quake was closer to Apia than Nukualofa.

The cause of the quake was not known yesterday, however the official said it was most probably the result of either under water land slides or shifts in tectonic plates.

He said there was no worry of Tsunamis as the quake was centered deep below the ocean.

The Police said they had not received any complaint of damage relating to the quake.

Posted by andrew at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The boat from Tokelau is back in the harbor. It comes around every few weeks or so. It makes supply trips from Samoa to Tokelau bringing along the occasional tourist willing to suffer the 36 journey in less than forgiving seas to a "country" where there's no capital city, no airport, no harbor, no cars, no banks, no guns and no tourism. Sounds like paradise to me. Here are the specs:

Full country name: Tokelau
Area: 12 sq km (4.7 sq mi)
Population: 1500 (growth rate -0.89%)
Capital city: none
People: Polynesian
Language: Tokelauan, English
Religion: 70% Congregational Church, 28% Roman Catholic
Government: Non-selfgoverning territory under NZ administration
Administrator: Lindsay Watt
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II of the UK
Head of Tokelau (Ulu o Tokelau): Alika Faipule Falimateao
GDP: US$630,000
GDP per head: US$420
Major industries: Philately, copra, handicrafts, fishing licences
Major trading partner: New Zealand

Posted by andrew at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok, I'll just come out and say it. Ricky Ponting is a god. There.

When I was living in Melbourne back in 94, Ponting was still playing for Tasmania, but every week during the Sheffield Shield he was compiling massive totals. It was only a matter of time that was called up. It was only a matter of time that he wear the captain's badge.

Today, Ricky Pointing and the Australians have made everything right in the world by absolutely crushing India in the finals of the World Cup. The only way this could have been sweeter for me would have been if I could have watched it or even picked it up on my shortwave. (can't pick shit up on my shortwave, by the way).

Ponting's swashbuckeld his way to a majestic unbeaten 140 off 121 balls (the highest score in a World Cup final, BTW) and Australia's 359 for two was a record total for a title match.

The Indians must have been shellshocked. The Aussie bowlers, led by Glenn McGrath, scuttled the Indian lineup without much effort and Australia is now the only 3 time holder of the World Cup. Well done, Aussies.

Posted by andrew at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Samoans March for World Peace

By Terry Tavita
15 March 2003

An estimated 1,500 people marched through Beach Road yesterday afternoon to show their support for a world of peace.
Waving banners and singing peace songs, Church leaders, women’s groups, public servants and school children were among the procession which congregated in front of the Government building.

“Let’s build weapons of mass salvation,” read one streamer.

“No more war, Know more peace!” screamed another.

Among the marchers were Catholic Archbishop, His Eminence, Father Alapati Mataeliga and Chairman of the Council of Churches, Rev Oka Fauolo.

Though the march had a collective theme in promoting peaceful solutions to the various hotspots around the world, there was no doubt it was predominantly aimed at the proposed US-led invasion of Iraq.

“Samoan students for peace in the Middle-East,” read a banner carried by several students from St Joseph’s College.

“Give peace a chance Mr Bush,” read another.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa, who received the marchers, reiterated his support on efforts to bring peace around the world.

He also exemplified the merits of good governance and the need for government’s to head down the peace road.

March coordinator, Mr Raymond Voight was quite pleased with yesterday’s turnout.

“We were expecting about 500 people and I estimate well over a thousand people marched took to the streets today.”

Yesterday’s march is the first demonstration against war to be carried out in the Pacific Island region.

The scary thing about this article is that is does not mention this freaky scene before the march when the Samoan police swarmed through the throngs of students who were preparing to march and ripped up any sign that contained the word "war". It was hardly a glowing example of freedom of speech in a country that apparently thinks it can't afford to offend the USA. The truth is that even if one person in the States had noticed which is doubtful there wouldn't have been been a ripple of ramifications.

Posted by andrew at 05:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Had dinner tonight at Giordana's in Moto'otua. They probably have the best pizza in the country. My favorite: Blue Cheese pizza.

Posted by andrew at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'll admit it. I'm scared of the dogs here. I've been bitten once. I've nearly been killed multiple times by dogs coming out of nowhere and attacking me while I'm on riding by on my bike. Today, when I was riding to work, I saw something that I had never seen before. This medium sized yellow dog, obviously deranaged, was in the middle of the road, waiting for cars to drive by, and would lunge at the tires as the vechicles would pass by.

I drove over to the other side of the street to escape the dog, but I think I was too small a morsel to even concern him.

Posted by andrew at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

‘Lighthouse’ to open in June

By Terry Tavita
12 March 2003

Where once an Apia landmark stood, a new bar, in the same vein, will open its doors in a few months.

The Lighthouse, a bar and nightclub, jointly owned by the same folks who are running the Coast Bar and Grill next door, will be operating at Tauese where the Otto’s Reef once was.

The Lighthouse management yesterday promised to offer the public a safe and relaxed locality where folks can enjoy their drinks to good music and in good company.

Kitchen facilities will also provide fast food and pupus.

The project, estimated to cost $120,000, will be built in two phases.

First phase is the bar and nightclub facilities, the second if negotiations with the landowners come through, a block of budget accommodation units at the back.

The proposed night club that will cater to a capacity crowd of 500 people, the management say, will be free of cover charge until 10 pm. Ladies pay only half of the door fee.

“We will cater mainly for working folks and everybody else wanting to enjoy good times with their friends,” says the management.

The location was last year acquired by the Samoa Land Corporation after a land trade with former owners, the Otto Nelson family.

The Coast won the public tender earlier this year with a ten-year flexible lease at rent payments of $5,000 a year.

Posted by andrew at 06:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There's another new cruise ship in town today: Crystal Symphony.

The thing is massive. It looks so out of place in the liliputian Apia Harbor.

Kris and I walked into the port past the disinterested workers to the dock where a sprawling souvenier stand was set up to sell grossly overpriced Samoan knick-knacks to tourists too lazy to walk 20 minutes out of the port to the market.

A group of 20 or so Filipino crew had set up a basketball hoop on one of the dock and were trying to play "21" in the stiff Apia breeze. It was all very comical.

Posted by andrew at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just recently we discovered a website from a Peace Corps Volunteer from Mozambique who was Administratively Separated (i.e. kicked out of the Corps) for comments made on her wbsite.

Here is the link:

THOUGHTS FROM MOZ

Posted by andrew at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't believe what I found today at MD's. Pop Rocks. Yes, that's right. Pop Rocks (watermelon flavor), right there in the cash wrap at MD's. I haven't seen Pop Rocks in ages. I can still remember back to elementary school when the urban myth of kids dying with the combination of Coke and Pop Rocks making the rounds. I guess it's time for some "Real Popping Action."

Posted by andrew at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Peace mission remembered on Peace Corps anniversary

by Afamasaga Toleafoa
02 March 2003

This week marked the 42nd anniversary of the American Peace Corps movement. And to mark the occasion, I visited the offices of Mr Stacy Plemmons, country director for Peace Corps at Matautu-uta.
Mr Plennons business card said he was Faatonu Sili of Pisikoa, a title that sat well with his Samoan attire of ie faitaga and leather sandals.

But most people in Samoa are familiar with the Pisikoa, if not with the story of how a young and inspirational President Kennedy started it in 1961, with a mission to promote peace and understanding in the world.

The Peace Corps may have grown and changed over the years, but the mission remains the same.

According to the organisation's Fact Sheet, creating mutual understanding between Americans and the people of the world is still the core of its mission.

And as any good fact sheet should do, this one also provides interesting information about Peace Corps.

Like the fact for instance that some 168,000 volunteers have served for the Peace Corps in 136 countries. That is about the current population of Samoa, and the number of known countries in the world today.

Or that it has a budget of US $275 million, which is more than Samoa's annual budget every year.

But Mr Plemmons says that in Samoa, the Peace Corp carries out peace missions by providing technical assistance at the request of the Samoan government to help Samoans plan and map out their own future.

"The Peace Corps is a hand-up, not a hand-out," Mr Plemmons said.

We do not give out money. We are not an aid agency. Our value is in providing and helping with human resources."

Consequently, education has played a large part in the Peace Corps role in Samoa, a fact that will be attested to I am sure by whole generations of Samoans who have at one stage or another received an education from Peace Corps volunteers.

According to Mr Plemmons, the Peace Corps program in Samoa has five major components at present.

Since 1968, the Peace Corps volunteers have served as teachers under the NUS scheme. Having Peace Corps teachers means Samoan teachers can take time out to pursue further studies, or follow other higher education options.

Capacity building in information technology is another important area of Peace Corps involvement with government departments and schools, also with no-government schools.

Peace Corps volunteers also help out with special needs education, helping in the teaching of disabled children and those with learning disabilities.

The Peace Corps last year began a village based capacity building program to give village communities the skills to plan, design and manage projects.

Agriculture as a first choice profession, and helping communities provide an integrated approach to coastal and watershed management are the other major parts of the Peace Corps program in Samoa today.

But after 36 years in Samoa, the Peace Corps have become a part of Samoa The full extent and impact of the Peace Corps contribution to nation building can not possibly be accurately assessed, but it can still be seen in many ways. Apart from the obvious areas such as education and skills transfer, the Peace Corps contribution may also be seen in the arts, music, plumbing, and lifestyle.

Mr Plemmons was reluctant to speak about any individual success stories. Development and the transfer of skills are long term and almost imperceptible processes, but he said their Volunteer of the Year last year was an example of the contribution individuals can make as volunteers.

"Ralph Daley was our Volunteer of the Year in 2002. He was a teacher at Paul VI School at Leulumoega, teaching business courses. As part of the course on how to start and run a business, Ralph had the students to start a pop corn selling operation which in its first year made a profit of $ 1700.00

In his second year, Ralph started then started a hot lunch program at the school which has become part of the school.

He was also made Vice-Principal, " Mr Plemmons said

"But after 36 years of service in Samoa, Peace Corps Samoa are now having a reunion to coincide with Teuila Festival week.

And we are inviting all volunteers who have served in Samoa to come back for the reunion.

But also as part of that, we invite all Samoans who were taught or worked with a Peace Corps volunteer to write something about their experience with Peace Corps.

Our postal address is US Peace Corps , Private Bag, Apia. Samoa. So we hope as many people as possible will write."

There are fifty volunteers in Samoa at present. The movement has no problem attracting volunteers although it can be difficult at times to attract technical people."

Mr Plemmons himself comes from a strong business background having worked for Hewlett Packard, one of the computer giants. He served mainly in America, and then in India. Later he was Hewlett Packard manager of the South East Asia region, and based in Singapore.

"I had had a wonderful career and wanted to give something of what I had been given back to the community. I knew this would have to be by way of service.

So took early retirement so I could pursue this and also I wanted to do something different

I applied for the Peace Corps in September 2001, was accepted in June 2002 and arrived in Samoa to begin what I'm doing now in August 2002. My term is for two and a half years. Another term of the same duration is possible. But after that, new blood is brought in.

Many aspects of Samoa intrigue me. I also find Samoa a well functioning. Society we are certainly not here to change anything, but only to assist Samoa to change in ways they may wish to change.

I believe President Kennedy never intended to change the world when he set up the Peace Corps in the first place.

But he did want to encourage a two way process of mutual understanding. The Peace Corps was a means to an end. That end was understanding, and with understanding comes peace."

President Kennedy's vision couldn't have been recited at a more poignant moment, as the world is poised right now on the brink of war.

Mr Plemmons is in Samoa with his wife Nancy, but has two sons staying behind in his home state of Colorado.

One is a surfboard instructor and the other a business consultant.

Posted by andrew at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Peace Boat makes one-day call

by Gerard P Williams
02 March 2003

The arrival of Russian tourist ship, Peace Boat, in Apia Harbour yesterday saw the town crawling with Japanese tourists. This is the second cruise liner to visit Apia over the week.

Shipping manager for Betham Brothers Enterprises Limited who are the boat's local agents, Aleni Penina, said good benefits were being derived from these cruise ships.

The government not only gets a cut on port charges which for Peace Boat would be between $18,000 and $20,000, but foreign exchange from tourists as well.

"These visits are always a plus for the economy because tourists always spend foreign currency," he explained.

Some 600 tourists came on Peace Boat which has a predominantly Ukrainian crew working out of Tokyo. This was the ship's fourth trip to Samoa under the command of the Russian captain, Sergey Ztepanov.

Although the passengers were of all ages, Mr Penina said the majority were young adults.

Passengers yesterday were given two sight-seeing options. They could walk through Apia or take a cross-island excursion with Island Hopper Vacations.

One of the features of the tourists coming ashore was that they wanted to taste Samoa's world acclaimed brew, Vailima.

Mr Penina said it was common for tourists to come ashore just to sit at a local watering hole to taste-test a few bottles of Vailma rather than go sightseeing or shopping.

As agents, their main function was to provide the ship with services it might request such as fresh water supplies, local banking services and so forth.

Arrived at 5:00am, the Peace Boat was scheduled to leave at 8:00pm.

Mr Penina could not confirm whether the Peace Boat would be making another trip to Samoa.

He did say, however, that BBE was expecting another cruise liner later this month.

Crystal Symphony is expected to arrive on 13 March from the United States for a one-day visit.

Posted by andrew at 05:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)