Peace Corps Volunteers inducted

Mar 31, 2012 News

-32 Americans to serve Guyana in education, health
By Kristen Macklingam

Guyana will now benefit from the work of 32 American Peace Corps Volunteers who were inducted on Thursday at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, and will be deployed throughout the country within a matter of days.
They are expected to render their services primarily in the areas of health and education and will aid the country in its developmental and modernisation processes.
At a simple swearing-in ceremony for the 24th group of Peace Corps Volunteers, the group was urged to execute their duties to the best of their abilities and to make both their native land and Guyana proud.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt, stated that Peace Corps volunteers should be admired for their strong sense of volunteerism that marks their nation, their openness to other people and cultures, and the strong spirit of adventure that led them to explore.
He explained that Guyana is a country where there is an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty and a country where some of the most hospitable and friendly persons reside.
However, there is still much work to be done to combat threatening issues and potential obstacles in the country’s developmental processes, he said.
“Despite its intense beauty and tremendous potential, Guyana is also a developing country and as such, faces considerable challenges including poverty, an HIV/AIDS epidemic, stubborn ethnic and racial divisions, crime and security threats and education gaps. The United States has a strong interest in working in partnership with Guyana to support national efforts to meet these challenges and fulfill this potential,” said Ambassador Hardt.
As he explained the history of the Peace Corps organisation, the US Ambassador posited that the US Government continues to work towards forging a closer and more productive partnership with the Government of Guyana in order to help build a more prosperous, secure, democratic and healthy Guyana.
“Our Embassy will continue to work with the Government and people of Guyana to solidify the gains in democratic governance, bolster economic growth and promote opportunity, particularly for young people and women.”
Peace Corps Director, Brannon Brewer, told this newspaper that the organisation observed its 50th anniversary in 2011 and continues to honor the contributions of 9,000 volunteers in the 77 countries throughout the world where they currently serve.
“We likewise pay homage to the devotion and accomplishments of those who have served before us while looking to the challenges and opportunities that await both future volunteers and the dedicated host country partners with whom they collaborate in partnerships for advancement and fulfillment of development pursuits,” said Brewer.
He urged the newly accredited volunteers to dedicate themselves for the next two years towards their duties in Guyana, to demonstrate commitment, to teach, motivate and inspire as they explore, learn and develop inwardly.
Melcita Bovell, the Ministry of Education’s Technical Advisor to the Minister and Coordinator of School Boards, posited that the new volunteers will help build a concept of nationhood and work towards developing the young individuals in society.
For those who will serve in the education sector, she explained that the Ministry of Education aims to ensure that each child builds their self esteem and can become technologically advanced, with the help of these volunteers.
Bovell added that while the band of teachers serving in the hinterland areas is small, the addition of these volunteers will strengthen and expand the band of dedicated and committed teachers already in the system.
While emphasising that cultural integration is a major focus for the foreigners, they were made aware that their services would be rendered in nine of the 10 administrative regions, mostly in the hinterland and riverain communities.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, thanked the US Government for their assistance and noted that a number of volunteers in previous years have contributed immensely in the specified fields in which they served.
He stated that while the volunteers will help in developing the country and share their expertise and skills, they will also learn about the vast cultural differences in society and “take back with them” memorable experiences after they complete their two year stint in Guyana.

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Peace Corps Volunteers inducted

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