FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
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Peace Corps
Contact: Press Office
Phone: 202.692.2230
Fax: 202.692.2201
Email:
pressoffice@peacecorps.gov |
Guatemala Honors Peace Corps for Over 40 Years of Service with National Award |
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Today, Guatemalan President Óscar Berger
Perdomo paid tribute to the contributions Peace Corps volunteers have made to
the people of his country by presenting the Peace Corps with the national “Orden
del Quetzal.”
Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez accepted the honor – and the medal that
accompanies the “Orden del Quetzal” – on behalf of all the former and current
volunteers, and Peace Corps staff who serve in Guatemala. The “Orden del
Quetzal” was established to recognize the merits of those who have rendered
distinguished services – either domestically or internationally – to strengthen
the friendship, harmony and goodwill between Guatemala and other states.
“For over forty years, volunteers have taken home with them the gratitude of
the Guatemalan people with whom they work. From today on, they will also take
home with them the gratitude of the government of Guatemala,” said Director
Vasquez. “We appreciate the hospitality of the Guatemalan people, the enthusiasm
with which they receive our volunteers, and their serious engagement in the work
of the volunteers.”
President Perdomo hosted the ceremony at the National Palace in Guatemala
City. The ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries that included the
Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Briz Abularach and U.S. Ambassador
John R. Hamilton, in addition to many of the current volunteers and members of
the Peace Corps staff. As is custom in receiving the honor, Director Vasquez
tipped the Peace Corps flag to the President, who then pinned the medal onto the
flag of the agency.
Peace Corps has had a continuous presence in Guatemala since the signing of a
partnership agreement on December 28, 1962. Presently, over 240 volunteers work
in the areas of agriculture, the environment, health, small businesses and rural
youth opportunities. Since the program began, close to 4,000 volunteers have
developed innovative projects across the country to assist the people of
Guatemala, including: the creation of the Healthy School Project, whose
structure, organization and documents have supported the work of the Ministries
of Education and Health; recovery projects of the marine turtle; and the
introduction of various agriculture and forestry projects in areas ranging from
cottage greenhouses to livestock marketing extension to the establishment of
model beehives.
Since 1961, more than 170,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps,
working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and
prevention, 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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