Program Description      
Volunteer Role     
Placement Sites, Housing, Food
Length of Program
Cost of Program
Requirements

Program Description

American Samoa is a US territory and just one portion of the Samoan archipelago; it consists of 76.1 square miles of land (about the size of Rhode Island). It includes five volcanic islands (Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta’u) and two remote atolls (Rose, Swains). It is home to pre-historic star mounds and Vaitongi, where it is said that if you sing Letuli’s chant a legendary turtle and shark will appear near the bottom of Vaitongi cliff. American Samoa exports a considerable portion of the world’s Starkist tuna from its cannery in Pago and is also home to lush rainforests and the rare Samoan flying fox!

The inaugural group will depart in July of 2008. The Department of Education in American Samoa has requested twenty World Teach volunteers to serve in its public education system. We will be the first volunteer organization forging a relationship with the Department of Education.

Volunteer Role

If you choose to join us on this program, you will have the opportunity to serve as a volunteer teacher in public high schools, beginning in early July.

Also five volunteers will be sent to the outer islands which will pose a fantastic opportunity to learn the fa’a Samoa (the Samoan way of life)! Volunteers will need to be flexible and adapt to the needs of their placement schools, especially in the first year of the program. English is the language of instruction for schools, but Samoan is the vernacular. American Samoa ranks in about the 40th percentile according to the Stanford Achievement Tests designed for Native English Language Speakers. Thus students are likely to have strong English language capabilities.

Volunteers in the high schools will teach an array of English, math, science, and social studies, whereas elementary school volunteers will serve as classroom teachers. We encourage all volunteers to become involved in extracurricular activities and community life because these activities will greatly enrich your experience. However, since this is the first group, it will be up to the volunteers to determine activities to pursue that are appropriate within the context of American Samoa. In other WorldTeach Pacific programs volunteers have been involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, environmental projects, sports, art, theatre, and adult education.

Placement Sites, Housing, Food

Volunteers will live in teacher housing on Tutuila and receive a living allowance of US$150 per month. This is a brand new program, and though we aspire for outer island volunteers to stay with host families we have not solidified these arrangements yet.

Length of Program

One year, beginning with a month-long orientation.

Those on the inaugural departure group in July 2008 will have the opportunity to enjoy the 10th Annual Festival of the Pacific Arts, which will be held in American Samoa from July 20 to August 2.  The theme of this year's festival is "Threading the Oceanic Ula" and it is a wonderful event where twenty-seven Pacific Island countries and territories come together to celebrate and share their cultures.

Cost of Program

All costs (including airfare, insurance, food, housing, training, conferences, and 24-hour in-country field staff support) are fully funded by the Department of Education of American Samoa. US$1,500 deposit required.

Requirements

WorldTeach year-long programs are open to qualified individuals over the age of 18 who have bachelor's degrees and are looking for a meaningful volunteer teaching experience. English language fluency is required. Prior teaching experience is helpful but not required.

Interest in American Samoa, teaching and international development are plusses. Successful volunteers will be mature, resourceful, and have exhibited public service and community participation. It is important that volunteers be flexible and open-minded, capable of adapting to new situations and able to provide sensitive leadership with various ages and groups. Experience in leadership would be an advantage. A positive attitude, even in frustrating or difficult circumstances, is vital.

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