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Transcript/Script((TITLE: Peace Corps Return (TV)
HEAD: Peace Corps Volunteers Returning Overseas after Pandemic Hiatus
TEASER: After the global evacuation in 2020, the agency is resuming overseas service, beginning with Zambia and the Dominican Republic
PUBLISHED AT: 3/25/2022 at 8:40 am
BYLINE: Saqib Ul Islam
DATELINE: Washington
CAMERA: Saqib Ul Islam
VIDEO EDITOR: Saqib Ul Islam
PROUCER: Saqib Ul Islam
COPY EDITOR: Reifenrath, Bowman
VIDEO FROM: AP
COURTESIES NEEDED:
TYPE: VPKGN
TRT: 2:32
VIDEO APPROVER'S INITIALS: Jepsen
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are returning to overseas service for the first time since the start of the pandemic, which halted the agency's volunteer work and resulted in a global evacuation of personnel in March 2020. Now, as they return to work, volunteers aim to contribute to the global COVID-19 response. Saqib Ul Islam talked with volunteers about what motivates them.]]
((NARRATOR))
Peace Corps staff in the Dominican Republic and Zambia are excitedly welcoming overseas volunteers who will collaborate with partners in these countries on pressing issues facing local communities.
((For Radio)) ((Carol Spahn is the CEO of Peace Corps))
((Carol Spahn, Peace Corps CEO))
“Every single volunteer that goes back into service will be expected to support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts worldwide.”
((NARRATOR))
For the first time since its global evacuation in 2020, the Peace Corps is sending volunteers back to service overseas to provide COVID-19 education and promote access to vaccinations. Some volunteers have gradually overcome worries about getting infected with COVID.
((For Radio)) ((This is Giselle Martinez’s first volunteer trip))
((Giselle Martinez, Peace Corps Volunteer))
“I did originally have a reservation about that because I know COVID cases kind of have changed the trends, have been changing lately. But Peace Corps has made a big deal about us being socially distant, getting COVID tested.”
((NARRATOR))
Giselle Martinez recently graduated college and is going on her first volunteer trip to the Dominican Republic.
((Eileen Mark, Peace Corps Volunteer))
“For me, Peace Corps is something that I always wanted to do.
((NARRATOR))
But this is Eileen Mark's second attempt to volunteer for the Peace Corps. Her assignment in Paraguay in 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19.
((Eileen Mark, Peace Corps Volunteer))
If you are looking to grow as a person, as a professional, to transform your life, to help, to serve others, the Peace Corps might be the place for you.”
((NARRATOR))
According to the agency's CEO, the Peace Corps has been serving in Ukraine for a long time, and it was the Corps’ biggest program in the world prior to the evacuation. Now the volunteers are in touch with their host families and connecting people on the ground.
((Joseph Hutzulak, Peace Corps Volunteer))
My Great Grandfather immigrated from Ukraine to Canada and then Canada to United States
((NARRATOR))
For a volunteer such as Joseph Hutzulak, who is of Ukrainian heritage, this was a major motivation to serve with the Peace Corps.
((Joseph Hutzulak, Peace Corps Volunteer))
“This morning I went and looked at the World War II monument, and I saw how much they sacrificed to keep the world peace. I wish they were here to tell us what to do.”
((NARRATOR))
Hutzulak hopes peace will triumph in Ukraine at the end. Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have served as volunteers in 142 countries.
((Saqib Ul Islam, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington
BylineSaqib Ul Islam
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
