US Peace Corps volunteers sworn in

WINDHOEK – The 26th group of US Peace Corps volunteers assigned to Namibia were sworn in by US Ambassador to Namibia Joyce Barr at the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) at Okahandja on Friday.

Some of the 63 volunteers, who had intensive eight-week training improving their knowledge of Namibia including extended studies of local languages and cultures, will be assigned to health-related positions in various aspects of the fight against HIV-AIDS. Two-thirds of them will be placed in education to teach English, mathematics, science and information technology in all 13 regions of the country.Swearing in the volunteers, Ambassador Barr urged them to be good ambassadors for their country by focusing on the contribution they make in bettering the lives of individuals and communities as a whole.”As you work through the difficult yet interesting days to come, remember the impact you are having on people’s lives.Whether you are working on HIV-AIDS, you will have a positive impact, the Namibians you will be working with will never forget you,” she said.Pledging their service, the Programme Officer of the Forum for Africa Woman Education in Namibia (Fawena), Neshani Andreas, referred to the immense contribution made by US volunteers and called for such joint co-operation to continue in eliminating all forms of challenges faced by the global village.”We need to combine resources to address challenges such as HIV-AIDS one step at a time,” said Andreas.Meanwhile, Peace Corps Country Director Jeffrey Millingto said there was a need for such commitment in contributing to the development of both nations, fostering mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.The 26th group will serve for two years, complementing the current 130 volunteers.Since Independence more than 800 US Peace Corps volunteers have served in Namibia.NampaTwo-thirds of them will be placed in education to teach English, mathematics, science and information technology in all 13 regions of the country.Swearing in the volunteers, Ambassador Barr urged them to be good ambassadors for their country by focusing on the contribution they make in bettering the lives of individuals and communities as a whole.”As you work through the difficult yet interesting days to come, remember the impact you are having on people’s lives.Whether you are working on HIV-AIDS, you will have a positive impact, the Namibians you will be working with will never forget you,” she said.Pledging their service, the Programme Officer of the Forum for Africa Woman Education in Namibia (Fawena), Neshani Andreas, referred to the immense contribution made by US volunteers and called for such joint co-operation to continue in eliminating all forms of challenges faced by the global village.”We need to combine resources to address challenges such as HIV-AIDS one step at a time,” said Andreas.Meanwhile, Peace Corps Country Director Jeffrey Millingto said there was a need for such commitment in contributing to the development of both nations, fostering mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.The 26th group will serve for two years, complementing the current 130 volunteers.Since Independence more than 800 US Peace Corps volunteers have served in Namibia.Nampa