FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
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Peace Corps
Contact: Press Office
Phone: 202.692.2230
Fax: 202.692.2201
Email:
pressoffice@peacecorps.gov |
Peace Corps’ Volunteer Numbers Reach Record High |
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Largest Number of Americans Serving in 28 Years
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez is honored to
announce that 7,533 Americans are currently serving in the Peace Corps – the
largest number of volunteers to serve overseas since 1974. The Peace Corps just
verified the numbers after it completed its annual official count on September
30th.
From May to October, nearly 3,000 new Peace Corps trainees arrived at posts
worldwide. In September alone, approximately 1,240 trainees arrived in 32
countries ranging in locations from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and South
America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Specifically, volunteers have arrived in Fiji, Swaziland, Albania, Chad, and
Azerbaijan, which are all beginning new Peace Corps programs this year. The
Peace Corps also plans on returning volunteers to China and Jordan in 2004.
“The significant number of new trainees in the field and new applicants are
enormous indicators that Americans are more willing than ever to dedicate two
years of their life to serve others around the globe,” stated Peace Corps
Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. “With Peace Corps’ new recruiting campaign in full
swing this fall, we anticipate that new volunteer interest will continue to
climb.”
This September, approximately 1,030 Americans applied to the Peace Corps - a
27 percent increase from 2002. From May to September of this year, the Peace
Corps also experienced a 16 percent increase in the number of applications
received over the same months last year. With increasing requests for
applications, a record number of Americans are heeding President Bush’s call to
service.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Peace Corps and how to
apply, please call 1.800.424.8580 to speak to a recruiter or visit the Peace
Corps Web site at
www.peacecorps.gov.
Since 1961, more than 170,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps,
working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS awareness and
education, information technology, business development, the environment, and
agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years
of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.
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