Eighteen US Peace Corps Volunteers were sworn in today by US Ambassador Nicole Theriot at the Umana Yana. The volunteers will now serve in Guyana’s Health and Education sectors for the next two years.
The US Ambassador said the presence of the 35th Cohort of Peace Corps Guyana Volunteers is in keeping with the US Government’s commitment to foster peace and friendship throughout the world.
Ambassador Theriot said the group represents the diversity of the United States, whether it be culture, race, religion, age, gender or geographic location, and will provide critical support to the country’s Health and Education through the assistance of their host families and communities.
“And the biggest thank you goes to the members of the 35th Group of Peace Corps Volunteers who have chosen to serve here. You are about to embark on two of the most significant years of your life, you will make so many friends, and of course face some obstacles and frustrations, but your influence here in Guyana will be felt now and for many, many years to come. And I want to personally thank you for representing our country so beautifully and putting forward the very best face of the United States, one of compassion and caring, volunteerism and selflessness,” the US Ambassador told the Peace Corps Volunteers.
Peace Corps Guyana Country Director, Deborah Conner explained that 16 of the volunteers will work in the Education Sector, with a subgroup focusing heavily on environmental science, and the remaining two will provide critical support to the Health Sector.
“There are seven Education Volunteers assigned to secondary schools, who will co-teach, enhance school libraries, work with parents and pull students from the classroom for special tutoring. These activities contribute to the goals and mission of the Ministry of Education by providing targeted literacy activities to student. Nine Environmental Volunteers will work in schools teaching science and will implement eco-friendly projects that teach children to be good stewards of the amazing natural resources Guyana is blessed with. The two Health Volunteers will teach life skills to adolescents and will work to support the Ministry of Health in a school health that is focused on screening and early detection of non-communicable disease and mental health issues in children through their school years,” Conner explained.
The 18 volunteers will join the current cohort of 36, who are already serving in 9 of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, who was among government officials present, thanked the volunteers for choosing Guyana. He said over the years, US Peace Corps Volunteers have provided welcomed service to the Health Sector.
More than 1400 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Guyana since 1966.
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