Peace Corps swears in 29 New Education Volunteers

December 7, 2012

The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Lesotho will swear in 29 Peace Corps volunteers, who will serve mainly in rural and remote areas of Lesotho under Peace Corps’ Education Project in support of the Ministry of Education and Training. Prior to their swearing-in, the volunteers received 9 weeks of intensive training in Sesotho language and culture and technical matters in the villages of Berea, Makola and Ha Mabekanyane of the Berea district.

The Peace Corps is the United States government’s volunteer organization, which sends Americans to developing countries to help build their fundamental skills capacity, as well as form lasting cross-cultural relationships.

Peace Corps volunteers in Lesotho serve in two different programs: Education and Community Health and Economic Development (CHED). Volunteers in the Education program serve as teachers of English, mathematics, and science; or as resource teachers who train and coach Basotho primary school and early childhood development teachers. Volunteers in the CHED program work with local and international organizations to assist local communities to mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS in the country. 

More than 2,000 volunteers have served over the 45-year history of the Peace Corps’ presence in Lesotho. The Peace Corps is also an active participant in the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and all Volunteers use their community organization skills to extend the reach of national and international efforts to respond to the epidemic in Lesotho.

The United States Peace Corps was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. Since then the Peace Corps has operated in 139 countries. Today the Peace Corps serves 74 countries with over 7,800 active volunteers around the world.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Monday, December 10 at 10:00am at Berea High School, Berea.