Peace Corps volunteers sworn in

Thirty Peace Corps trainees were sworn in to begin their two-year service as Economic Empowerment and Community Health HIV/AIDS Volunteers in communities around Namibia in Okahandja earlier this month.The ceremony took place in the presence of deputy health minister Dr Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, US Ambassador to Namibia Randy Berry, and US Peace Corps Country Director, Dr Elizabeth Anderson. This 53rd group of trainees to Namibia arrived on 28 August and had to complete 12 weeks of pre-service training at the Peace Corps Training Centre located in Okahandja. The aim of pre-service training is for trainees to engage in hands-on learning experiences, including working with members of the host community (Okahandja) to practice applying Participatory Analysis for Community Action (PACA) tools which add to developing effective partnerships between the trainee and community.Trainees participated in intensive technical training, learned about the health and economic sectors of Namibia, current HIV/AIDS interventions, as well as intercultural sessions to enhance their understanding of the local cultures as a foundation for effective community integration. Each trainee also learned one of the following local languages: Afrikaans, Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Rukwangali, and Silozi. History of serviceAt the invitation of the Namibian government, Peace Corps volunteers began serving in 1990. Since then, more than 1 800 American volunteers have worked in various sectors, including education, health, and economic development.Volunteers live in Namibian communities, learn local languages, and integrate into the culture to foster world peace and friendship. Peace Corps Volunteers work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects that build relationships, promote knowledge exchange, and make a lasting and measurable impact. “The US-Namibia partnership is built upon a foundation of meaningful people-to-people relationships and forged in shared values including democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The Peace Corps is a significant part of the overall US presence in Namibia and is an important cornerstone of our friendship,” Ambassador Berry said. At the onset of Covid, 126 volunteers were serving throughout every region of the country. As the country went into lockdown, all volunteers were evacuated. With the newest volunteers, the Peace Corps will have 60 volunteers serving in all regions of the country as far away as Lüderitz and Katima. The arrival of this diverse group of Americans marks a significant renewal of the United States’ commitment to work alongside Namibians in tackling the challenges of economic empowerment and critical healthcare issues in rural and urban areas throughout Namibia.

Peace Corps volunteers sworn in

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Peace Corps volunteers sworn in

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