Press Releases
Peace Corps Swears in 51 Forestry, Health and Education Volunteers
April 25, 2008. Lusaka
After nine weeks of technical and language training, 51 young American men and women were officially sworn in as U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers on Friday 25th April in a ceremony at Peace Corps offices in Lusaka. The Volunteers, who are here on a two-year program, will be posted in rural Zambia, spread throughout Northern, Northwestern, Luapula, Eastern, Central, and Southern Provinces.
The Peace Corps is a U.S. Government agency whose main goals are the provision of technical assistance and cultural exchange between host countries’ nationals and the American people. The Volunteers truly assimilate; they live in local villages, and learn to speak local languages.
During her induction speech, U.S. Ambassador, Carmen Martinez said that there are approximately 170 Volunteers currently serving in Zambia, and almost 700 former Volunteers who served in Zambia and who have returned to the U.S. to share their stories and experiences. She also mentioned the uncountable thousands of Zambians whose lives have been positively touched by their interactions with Volunteers.
The Guest of Honour, the Honorable Minister Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, welcomed the Volunteers on behalf of the Zambian Government and the Ministry of Health. He said the Government of Zambia looked forward to working with the Peace Corps for years to come and anticipated a close collaboration and cooperation between both offices. Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II, who hosts the Peace Corps Training Center, also provided remarks.
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