Olsem wanem?

My partner, Jason Ritenour, and I were part of G-23.  We started on Pentecost in 2010 then moved into Vila for an extension year.  As a health volunteer, I spent my time on Pentecost talking about all the taboo subjects – sex, poop, and gender-based violence.  In town, I worked in the PC office as a PCVL and at Wan Smol Bag doing a combination of environmental outreach and youth development.  Back in the US, I received a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Management and have worked as a freelance artist (and sometimes Bislama translator) since 2014.  I hope that FoV2 will be a way to connect with other people who love Vanuatu and share that love with our communities.

Roqoñwia!

My name is Veronica. I served as an Education Volunteer on the island of Maewo in Vanuatu. I was part of G29 and served from April 2017 until the pandemic-caused evacuation in March 2020. Since returning to the United States I have returned to my home state of Colorado where I work for an out-of-school youth program organization. When I am not working I can be found in the local bookstore or working on local theatre productions. I joined the Board in hopes of being able to help further the sustainability projects the Peace Corps community and others have done and will be doing in Vanuatu.

Greetings All! 

I served in Vanuatu from 2017-2020 with Group 29 and then extended as the first Special Projects PCVL. During my traditional service, I was an Education Volunteer in south Santo and then moved to Vila when I became a PCVL. As PCVL, I worked on creating this organization and was planning the 30th anniversary of Peace Corps Vanuatu but got sent home during the global evacuation due to Covid-19. Prior to the Peace Corps, I worked for the State of North Carolina and lived in Charlotte, NC for the last decade. The Carolina mountains are my home but I will be relocating to the Philly area to continue my work as a project manager with the federal government once facilities are clear to open. I miss my Vanuatu family and can't wait to see their faces and enjoy Sunday laplap and family swim time in the solwata once more.

Hi Everyone!

I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Vanuatu from 2006-2007 with group 19A. I served on the island of ‘black magic’, Ambrym, working with a group of women on leadership and economic development. I’m originally from Northern California but now live in the DC area with my Ni-Vanuatu husband and 2 kids. After serving in the Peace Corps I realized I wanted to keep working in international development and luckily found a job with the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service working on agriculture development and trade. I still enjoy taking long walks in the bush and making laplap with my family. 

Born in Vanuatu in the small village of Lavatu on the northern island of Pentecost where I grew up, then moved to the capital city, Port Vila on the island of Efate. Later, I attended a boarding school in New Zealand. In New Zealand, I spent a year of High School on a Maori Marae before continuing on to college.

In the summer of 1997, I worked as a language trainer for Peace Corps Vanuatu. My group was group 10. Our training was held in the village Liro on the island of Paama for 6 weeks before the swearing-in ceremony in Port Vila. I later met my husband who served as a PCV1995-98, Group 8. He served at Malapoa College on Efate.

My husband and I share the same passion for service. We have four children and currently live on Bainbridge Island in Washington State in the USA.

I currently serve as the executive director of the Melanesian Women Today organization. I look forward to sharing my experiences as a ni-Vanuatu spouse of an RPCV, and also explore other exciting areas where FOV2 can grow.

My shared history with Vanuatu began in January, 2000 when I took a 6 week trip to visit my parents PCV Group 11, Ranon Jr. Secondary School on Ambrym. As a budding volcanologist and aspiring anthropologist, I was immediately spellbound by the people and geography of Vanuatu.  I spent the next ten years working in my capacity as a geologist, working with my local Vanuatu colleagues to support the people affected by volcanic and other natural hazards.  I served as a UN Volunteer based in Saratamata, Ambae (cir. PCV groups 18-21) and supporting all of Vanuatu. I then had some "city life" in Port Vila continuing work for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.  For those 20 years I have made every effort possible to maintain constant connection with my friends and family in Vanuatu.  Over the past decade I have continued to support Vanuatu in times of disaster, including Cyclone Pam and during the recent mass evacuations from the Ambae volcanic eruptions.  

I am very honored to be a member of the FoV2 board and find opportunities to continue giving to the nation that has given me so much in life.  I look forward to promoting our on-the-ground work in Vanuatu, partnering with local communities and Peace Corps volunteers in the field. I am currently deployed on a UN IOM mission in Bangladesh, but I always have my eyes on Vanuatu!  

Please join us or continue your membership today!  Share. Learn. Give. OLGETA YUMI STANUP LO VANUATU!  Malok!

This board role is currently open.

Interested in our mission and goals and wish to join our team? 

• We welcome any applicant who can demonstrate a cultural understanding of Vanuatu, familiarity with the Peace Corps, and a passion to help the team advance our goals.  
• Some positions, such as Treasurer, will require demonstration of specific skills. 
• Please email President@FO2.org to learn how you can apply for this role.

This board role is currently open.

Interested in our mission and goals and wish to join our team?

• We welcome any applicant who can demonstrate a cultural understanding of Vanuatu, familiarity with the Peace Corps, and a passion to help the team advance our goals.  
• Some positions, such as Treasurer, will require demonstration of specific skills. 
• Please email President@FO2.org to learn how you can apply for this role.