Sixteen American volunteers were officially sworn in as Peace Corps volunteers during a ceremony held at the Peace Corps Tanzania Headquarters in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.
The ceremony, attended by US Ambassador Michael Battle, Dr. Edith Rwiza, Director of Human Resources at PORLAG, and Peace Corps Tanzania Director Stephanie Joseph de Goes, marked the return of Peace Corps volunteers to Tanzania after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These sixteen volunteers are the first group to serve in Tanzania since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, which resulted in the repatriation of more than seven thousand volunteers worldwide, including 158 from Tanzania.
Over the past few months, the volunteers underwent comprehensive training in cross-cultural understanding, language skills, and technical knowledge through the Peace Corps program.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the volunteers will be deployed to their respective permanent sites in local communities across the Kilimanjaro, Tanga, and Zanzibar regions.
They will dedicate 24 months to serve these communities and assist in addressing vital development priorities, including education, community health, and sustainable agriculture.
Since its launch in 1961, over 3,200 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Tanzania, contributing to various sectors such as education, agriculture, and healthcare. The program aims to address critical development needs while fostering global peace and friendship.
Dr. Rwiza, in her remarks, highlighted the significance of the Peace Corps Program in strengthening the longstanding bond between the United States and Tanzania.
She emphasized its origins in the friendship between Tanzania’s first President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and US President John F. Kennedy, who founded the Peace Corps.
Dr. Rwiza also called upon stakeholders in the communities where the volunteers will be stationed to provide support and create an environment conducive to their success.
Ambassador Battle, before administering the oath to the newly sworn-in volunteers, reminded them of their role as ambassadors of the United States.
He emphasized that their interactions and collaboration with local communities would shape people’s perception of America.
He encouraged them to embrace the opportunity to experience the best of Tanzania while showcasing the values and ideals of their home country.
Expressing gratitude, Peace Corps Tanzania Country Director Stephanie Joseph de Goes thanked the government of Tanzania, Korogwe Teachers’ College, and host families for their collaboration and support in welcoming and training the new volunteers in the Swahili language and culture.
She reiterated the Peace Corps’ commitment to working with Tanzania in a spirit of collaboration, humility, and respect.
The return of Peace Corps volunteers to Tanzania signifies a renewed commitment to international cooperation and development, strengthening the ties between the United States and Tanzania while fostering mutual understanding and friendship.
