WASHINGTON, D.C., April 12, 2004 – Today, three former Peace Corps volunteers departed for Ecuador where they will spend the next six months addressing crucial health issues and providing vital youth programming for the Peace Corps’ Crisis Corps program.

Two of the Crisis Corps volunteers will work with the Instituto Nacional del Niño y la Familia (INNFA) to assist in developing HIV/AIDS prevention programs at the national level. These two volunteers will work with vulnerable groups, such as children and teens between the ages of 12 and 17. As part of their assignment, the volunteers will be formulating a project proposal and monitoring and evaluating plans for HIV/AIDS prevention that will address the needs of underprivileged teens and youth.

The third Crisis Corps volunteer will be based in the capital city of Quito and will partner with the Association of the Girl Scouts of Ecuador. This volunteer will share tools and strategies for implementation of effective Girl Scout programming with local female leaders, who will then work to train others in the surrounding community.

Formerly, the Crisis Corps volunteers served in the areas of health and youth programs as Peace Corps volunteers.

Located in South America, Ecuador has a population of 12.6 million people. Volunteers in Ecuador work in the areas of agriculture, animal production, health, youth, and the environment. The Peace Corps has sent more than 5,700 volunteers to work in Ecuador since volunteers began serving there in 1962. Currently, there are 135 Peace Corps volunteers in the country and five Crisis Corps volunteers.

Since Crisis Corps’ inception in 1996, nearly 550 returned Peace Corps volunteers have taken the opportunity to use their invaluable skills and experience to address ongoing community needs in over 30 different countries. To find out more about the Peace Corps’ Crisis Corps program, click here.

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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