Thirty-two Peace Corps Volunteers Sworn-in

To be stationed in 15 districts in Tanzania - August 19, 2009

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Larry André swearing-in 32 Peace Corps volunteers at the Ambassador’s residence in Dar es Salaam, on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.

Chargé d’Affaires Larry André today, Wednesday, August 19, 2009 swore-in 32 Peace Corps Volunteers to their two years of service to Tanzania. The American volunteers who will work in the Health and Environment fields will be stationed in the following districts:

• Kiteto,
• Lushoto,
• Singida Rural,
• Hanang,
• Muheza,
• Same,
• Ruangwa,
• Lindi,
• Chamwino,
• Kondoa,
• Mbeya Rural,
• Newala,
• Masasi,
• Songea Rural and
• Njombe.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Ambassador’s residence in Dar es Salaam, was also attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, President’s Office, Public Service Management, Eric Shitindi, former Peace Corps Volunteers and officials from Partner Volunteer agencies.

In his remarks, Andre said, “You, like all other American citizens who travel overseas, represent the American people to all those you meet. Indeed, you will meet people who will never have contact with any other American. It is you and your words and actions that they will think of when they think of the people of the United States. YOU will be the face of America to many people. That fact is a responsibility, an opportunity and an honor.”

“I can tell you from experience that the communities where you and your fellow volunteers will serve will occupy a special place in your hearts. You will bring back to America a lifelong connection to these communities. You will bring back a piece of Tanzania in your heart, becoming a representative of Tanzania to your fellow Americans. My 17-year old daughter, who was raised in Africa, is writing her college application essays. In one of these she wrote “As an American, I love my country. I also love the African countries where I grew up. I see no contradiction in this.” Well, neither do I,” he added.

Founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps is a U.S. Government agency that supports over 7,000 volunteers in more than 70 countries. For 48 years, Peace Corps has maintained apolitical and non-sectarian ideals of technical and cultural exchange. Peace Corps promotes world peace and friendship by fulfilling three fundamental goals:

• Providing American volunteers who contribute to the social and economic development of interested countries;
• Promoting a better understanding of Americans among the people who volunteers serve;
• Strengthening Americans' understanding of the world and its peoples.

Over 2000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Tanzania since 1962. The Peace Corps provides trained American volunteers who work with communities in the fields of secondary education (math, science, and information and communications technology), health promotion, and environmental education.

The volunteers offer assistance and training on environmental education, including land degradation, preserving water catchments, soil conservation and implementation of agro-forestry techniques and emphasize partnership with women and youth. Volunteers also offer bio-intensive gardens to promote household food security as well as a variety of income generating activities.

On the health perspective, volunteers are involved in building capacity of youth, health service providers and community groups to promote and advocate for adoption of healthy behaviors including HIV/AIDS prevention, and care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children. The volunteers work closely with village health committees to analyze community needs and priorities and promote behavior change in areas of maternal and child health, nutrition, malaria, waterborne diseases, sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. The local health care providers gain skills in improving data management, tracking of patients, and health behavior promotion.