Salem Resident Among First Peace Corps Volunteers to Return to Service Overseas

SALEM, Ore. – Salem resident David Magnello is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020. The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was drawn to the Peace Corps by the opportunity to live and work in a community outside of the U.S. The Peace Corps has a great reputation for promoting mutual and intercultural learning,” said Magnello. “I’m excited for the opportunity to meet new people, travel, and to experience my host country’s culture.”

Magnello is a graduate of Linfield University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature. He will serve as an education volunteer in Costa Rica.

The volunteer cohorts are made up of both first-time volunteers and volunteers who were evacuated in early 2020. Upon finishing a three-month training, volunteers will collaborate with their host communities on locally prioritized projects in one of Peace Corps’ six sectors – agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, or youth in development – and all will engage in COVID-19 response and recovery work.Currently, the agency is recruiting volunteers to serve in 56 countries around the world at the request of host country governments, to connect through the Peace Corps’ grassroots approach across communities and cultures. Volunteers have already returned to a total of 47 countries around the world. The Peace Corps continues to monitor COVID-19 trends in all of its host countries and will send volunteers to serve as conditions permit.