Press Releases

39 New Peace Corps Volunteers Sworn-in In Kilosa

August 16, 2006

US Ambassador to Tanzania Michael Retzer, on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 administered the oath of office to 39 Peace Corps Volunteers in Kilosa district, Morogoro Region. The volunteers will serve for two years in 39 villages in 15 of 21 mainland regions and five regions in Zanzibar.

Ambassador Retzer said the Volunteers will be working in the communities to which they are assigned in the all-important areas of the environment and health. “About half of them will be working on environmental projects, while the other half of the Volunteers will be focusing on health education, and specifically on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention,” he said.

He said the Volunteers that will be focusing on environmental projects will be using an income generation or livelihood-based approach to encouraging effective resource management. This approach shows people how to save or generate income through relatively simple changes in their lifestyle or ways of doing business.

Ambassador Retzer said the volunteers who will be focusing on health will be reaching out to teachers, students and out of school youth, to ensure that information on HIV/AIDS is effectively communicated to this very vulnerable population.

The swearing-in ceremony that was held in Kilosa district, Morogoro region was attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government Mr. Wilson Mkama, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Major General (rtd) Saidi Kalembo, Kilosa District Commissioner Athuman Mdoe and the families of people who hosted the volunteers during their training.

Ambassador Retzer told the Volunteers and guests at the ceremony that the Peace Corps was completing its 34th year of service in Tanzania, and that relations between the United States and Tanzania continue to be dynamic and based on mutual respect. “With the end of the Cold War and a shared commitment to common interests such as economic development, education and the fight against poverty, the bonds between our two countries have continued to strengthen. The horrible attack on the U.S. Embassy here in 1998, also served to solidify our countries’ mutual commitment to remaining constantly vigilant to the threat of terrorism,” added Ambassador Retzer.

He said the United States and Tanzania now work closely together on these broad issues of counter-terrorism, the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria, economic growth and development, and strengthening democratic systems and processes.

Ambassador Retzer said, “I am proud to say that the United States has led the global fight against AIDS, dedicating billions of dollars to treatment, prevention and care, while working closely with local partners in over 100 countries around the world. Tanzania is one of 15 countries in the world which the United States has identified as a focus country for special HIV/AIDS funding - $15 billion over 5 years – because these countries represent almost half of the world’s infections.”