Sala Mcguire, sala@mit.edu

Kimberly Frola, Associate Peace Corps Director, Samoa
kfrola@ws.peacecorps.gov

Possible Projects for D-lab 2004-2005

As an isolated island in the South Pacific, Samoa's economy relies heavily upon agriculture and tourism. Therefore, D-lab Samoa projects will focus mainly on those two areas. Project proposals include: improving the existing practice of oil-extraction from coconut flesh (copra is a major export), creating cocoa seed crushers, introducing methods for drying surplus fruits, researching the use of a species of walnut trees (which Samoans currently do not cultivate), and Ecotourism. Additional projects are improving and implementing new water storage devices and designing workshops for youth development. These projects are geared towards families living on the island of Savai'i, where people practice a very secluded and traditional lifestyle. Our project partners will be Peace Corps volunteers.

Related Links

CIA World Factbook, Samoa:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ws.html

The CDC website with recommendations for travellers to Samoa:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/austspac.htm

The US Dept. of State travel site with advice and information for travellers to Samoa:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/samoa.html

Various Photographs of Samoa
http://www.samoa.pictures-pacific.com/index.html

Information about Samoa from the Peace Corps
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc.pacificislands.samoa