US Peace Corps Volunteers sing at their swearing-in ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday. US ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt swore in 38 Peace Corps Volunteers to their two years of service in Tanzania. The volunteers will be stationed in 19 districts.
By The Citizen Reporter
The US ambassador, Mr Alfonso Lenhardt, yesterday swore in 38 Peace Corps Volunteers ahead of their two years of service in Tanzania.
The volunteers will be stationed at secondary schools and teachers training colleges in 19 districts.
They are Kondoa, Mpwapwa, Njombe, Moshi Rural, Mwanga, Rombo, Same, Kilwa and Lindi Rural, according to a statement from the US embassy.
Others are Ruangwa, Hanang, Rungwe, Masasi, Newala, Mbinga, Songea Rural, Manyoni, Singida Rural and Muheza.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the ambassador's residence in Dar es Salaam in the presence of Education and Vocational Training acting permanent secretary Celestine Gesimba, Tanzania Peace Corps Country Director Andrea Wojnar-Diagne, former Peace Corps Volunteers from around the world and officials from partner volunteer agencies.
"Peace Corps Volunteers represent the best our country has to offer in terms of commitment, intelligence, and energy," said Mr Lenhardt during the ceremony.
He noted that as a US envoy to Tanzania, he could not imagine a better way to demonstrate collective engagement to serve the people of Tanzania than through the Peace Corps through a programme, which started four decades ago.
"With this group of Volunteers here today, the Peace Corps is in its 38th year of service in Tanzania. Today, relations between the United States and Tanzania are dynamic and based on mutual respect," he said.
He pointed out that with a shared commitment to common interest such as economic development, education, environmental conservation, and the fight against poverty and disease, the bonds between the two countries have continued to strengthen.
"Our relations are amongst the strongest on the African continent," the ambassador said.
Tanzanian students, especially those in rural areas served by volunteers, benefit from valuable trainings and expertise provided in line with the school curriculum.
Peace Corps Volunteers teach in secondary schools and teachers training colleges. The extra-curricular trainings they provide help develop students’ abilities and skills.
Founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps is a US Government agency that supports about 8,000 volunteers in more than 75 countries.
For 48 years, Peace Corps has maintained apolitical and non-sectarian ideals of technical and cultural exchange. More than 189,000 volunteers have served in 138 countries.
