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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.

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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.

Peace Corps Tanzania Swearing-In Ceremony

Venue: U.S. Ambassador’s Residence

August 19, 2009

Remarks by American Chargé d’Affaires Larry André (as prepared)

Acting Permanent Secretary, Eric Shitindi, representing the Minister of Public Service Management,
Government Officials,
Distinguished Guests,
Service organization representatives,
Peace Corps Staff and Volunteers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I am about to swear-in the 32 Health & Enviroment Peace Corps trainees with us today, I feel happy, proud and a bit nostalgic. I am happy to see that Peace Corps continues to thrive, creating strong ties between Americans and Tanzanians united in a spirit of service. I am proud to represent the U.S. Mission to Tanzania and so have the honor of swearing in these trainees. I am nostalgic about my own time as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the West African nation of Senegal. That experience changed my life much more than I had anticipated. I had no special interest in Africa prior to my Peace Corps service. Following that service, I chose to make my life in Africa. Throughout my career, in Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, Guinea, Kenya and Tanzania, I have enjoyed swapping stories with volunteers. In Sierra Leone, the Ambassador (who was another former volunteer) and I pleaded for Peace Corps to return, recounting to Peace Corps leadership how the President of that country spoke with tears in his eyes about the great good done for him when he was a boy by his Peace Corps teacher. As Peace Corps Volunteers, you may never fully know the positive difference you make in the lives of others.

I would like in particular, to thank the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Health, and TAMISEMI. We appreciate your close collaboration with Peace Corps Volunteers, such as these soon-to-be volunteers we celebrate today.
The success of our health and environment volunteers is due to the wise guidance you provide them. Thank you.

The 32 trainees who are about to be sworn-in as Volunteers have chosen to dedicate two years of their lives to serve the people of Tanzania and to promote friendship between our two nations. They have worked very hard over the last nine weeks to meet strict linguistic and techncial requirements needed to become Volunteers in Tanzania.

I would also like to thank the language facilitators, technical trainers, Peace Corps staff, and Tanzanian host families of Muheza district for their patience and dedication to the task of preparing these trainees for their service. In their absence, I would like also to thank the parents, families, friends, teachers, and guides who inspired in these trainees a thirst for international service. Future Volunteers, while here, all of you will share the richness and diversity of America with new friends in your host communities. 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.

In my nostalgic mode, please allow me to pass along some advice. First, when you arrive in your new community, seek to understand and not to judge. Observe, live and learn. Of course some judgments are required in fulfilling your duties, but I am speaking of personal judgments. The wisdom of some practices only comes clear in time once you understand the context more fully.

Second, while I hesitate to make broad cultural generalizations, I will say that we Americans tend to put the individual at the center of our concerns while Tanzanians tend to prioritize the family and the community. I am not saying one is better than the other. It is just different. It is not necessary to change your attitude to succeed. Nor is it necessary or desirable to seek to change others’ attitudes. Simply be aware of the difference and factor that into how you handle situations that arise.

Finally, know that cultural and linguistic adjustment can be exhausting. Make the investment in your first few months of mastering the language and forming friendships with Tanzanians. Do not distract yourself by spending too much time reading novels or seeking out other foreigners to befriend. You will have a much more gratifying experience once you break through the language and cultural barriers and become entirely at ease in your new setting. The fastest way to reach that point is immersion. I promise you, it gets easier with time and it is most definitely worth the effort.

Today, some 8,000 volunteeers are serving beside you in some 75 countries. Over 2000 Volunteers have served before you here in Tanzania. Among those former Peace Corps Tanzania Volunteers is my boss, Johnnie Carson, our top American diplomat for Africa. Since 1961, more than 189,000 volunteers have served in 138 countries. Some of those Volunteers are amongst you today. I ask that they stand for a moment so that they may be recognized.

These Volunteers are passing to you a legacy of service that they began. When you take the Oath of Service, think of them and the heritage they pass on to you. Even though you will experience many joys and frustrations over the next two years that may seem to you to be purely personal, the Oath that you will cite today is a public act. It will link you to something much larger than yourselves, that began before you, and which will go on after you, but whose success depends on your indiviual sacrifice and your best efforts to well and faithfully discharge your duties in the Peace Corps.

Trainees, please stand, and join me up front to take your oath of service.

You have traveled a long road to arrive at this point. You have wisely used your training period to make your commitment to two years of service in Tanzania and to uphold the three goals of the Peace Corps:

• To provide technical assistance to the people of Tanzania;




• To contribute to a better understanding of Americans on the part of Tanzanians; and




• To contribute to a better understanding of Tanzanians by fellow Americans.

Please raise your right hands and repeat after me:

Oath

I, (state your name), solemnly pledge my two year commitment and support to the peoples of Tanzania, and in the spirit of peace, friendship, and international cooperation that I will do my best to fairly represent my country while respecting the traditions, culture, and values of Tanzania, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully carry out my duties as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

I am confident you will have an unforgettable experience in Tanzania, and I wish you the best of luck. Hongera sana!