Micronesia Sun Bright News from the Deep Pacific
Photo Sources: Office of the President, Republic of Palau, U.S. Embassy Koror
By Christopher Cottrell
July 9, 2026, Palau___The U.S. Peace Corp has officially returned to Palau after eight years, with nine new volunteers sworn in.
Palau President Whipps Jr. said, “For generations, Peace Corps volunteers have worked hand in hand with our local communities to build our education sector, protect our environment, and develop sustainable tourism. Today is truly a celebration of the revival of this partnership. Your focus on supporting English literacy and helping our local teaching force is exactly what our schools and our children need right now.”
U.S. Embassy Koror’s Chargé d’Affaires Shankar Rao remarked, “These Peace Corps volunteers will not only support communities across Palau but also deepen the enduring partnership between our two nations through mutual learning, respect and shared purpose.”
Welcoming the new volunteers, Whipps pointed out Peace Corps’ legacy, commenting on,“the profound impact volunteers have had on Palau’s education and community development since 1966,” according to a statement from U.S. Embassy Koror.
Peace Corps Acting Director Christopher Landau was unable to attend, but a statement from him reads, “The United States and Palau have close ties under our free association, and we view the re-establishment of the Peace Corps presence in Palau as an important step in deepening our partnership.”
Kris Besch, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Peace Corps, said at the ceremony, “We look forward to witnessing these volunteers build on nearly 60 years of meaningful collaboration with Palauan partners to advance our nations’ shared priorities.”
She added, “These volunteers will share American culture and values with their host communities and make a meaningful impact for both Palau and America’s future.”
For the next two years, the U.S. volunteers will work with Palauan educators English literacy programs in elementary schools. They will also work on secondary projects for food security, community health, environmental education and youth development. Trained for 10-weeks in Palauan language and culture, they will love with host families for their two-year assignment.
A U.S. Embassy Koror statement adds, “The Peace Corps is currently recruiting the next English literacy teacher volunteers for Palau who will begin pre-service training in April 2027. Until 2018, the Peace Corps operated Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia as a single, unified program spanning both countries. During this period, more than 4,400 volunteers served alongside community members across the two Pacific Island nations.”
For more information on the Peace Corps in Palau, visit peacecorps.gov/palau and serving more broadly visit peacecorps.gov/serve.
