Interview with Gentian "Genti" Leka, July 30, 2020

Interview Summary

Gentian "Genti" Leka is a host country national who is the Training Manager for Peace Corps Albania and Montenegro. Montenegro had just been added as the 142nd PC country of service and its first cohort of volunteers was in the midst of the Pre-Service Training when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Several restrictions regarding travel within and leaving Albania were introduced initially by the government. These created a challenge for staff with volunteers throughout the country. On March 12th, 2020 the evacuation of the 108 volunteers was initiated and by March 16th all volunteers had departed the country. Mr. Leka describes the process of evacuation, the continuing commitment to supporting their volunteers, and their preparations for volunteers to return. He discusses how Peace Corps will be different when it resumes full operations and how life is evolving in Albania because of the pandemic.

Interview Keyword

Albania (Country of service) Montenegro (Country of service) Peace Corps Staff Host country nationals Training managers Evacuation Future of Peace Corps in Albania and Montenegro Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteer (EPCV) Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Peace Corps (U.S.)--2020-Evacuation #covid19 Peace Corps Staff Job: Training Manager

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Albania Peace Corps (U.S.)--Montenegro COVID-19 (Disease) Volunteers Voluntarism. Intercultural communication. Interpersonal communication and culture Interpersonal relations and culture Culture. Communication and culture. Acculturation.

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