US Peace Corps volunteers sworn in

Twenty-seven US Peace Corps Volunteers were sworn in, yesterday, pledging to serve alongside the people of Rwanda to bring about positive changes in public health and education sector, among others. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda. The Peace Corp Global Director, Carrie Hessler-Radelet, who is in Rwanda for the first time, urged the volunteers to stick to cultural and peace values in serving local communities in Rwanda aimed at strengthening ties between the people of the two countries. US Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles giving a speech welcoming the new Peace Corps volunteers to Rwanda. “Beyond that, improving, education, maternal and child health, we hope the volunteers will also build strong bonds of friendship between the people of the United States and Rwanda,” The Peace Corps is a volunteer programme run by the United States government. The Peace Corps core missions emcompasses providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand the American culture, and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries with an aim of fostering social and economic development. Jen Hedrick Peace Corps Country Director shares her experience with the new Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps in Rwanda was opened in 1975 through 1993, with 132 volunteers working in the sectors of university education, fisheries, agriculture, conservation and health. Upon invitation by the Rwandan Government, the Peace Corps returned to Rwanda in 2009, launching the current Community Health and Teacher Support projects, among others. The U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, Erica Barks-Ruggles, says she is confident that the team of volunteers, including young professionals, will cause a big impact in improving health and education in Rwanda. “I am sure that the Peace Corps, together with their partners in the Ministries of Health and Education, will continue to bring solutions to issues facing the communities and improving healthcare outcomes,” said Barks-Ruggles. Ty Kraniak the new Peace Corps volunteer giving a speech in Kinyarwanda. Michel Gatete Mukasa, the in charge of Partner’s Coordination in the Ministry of Health, said volunteers have been vital in bringing in new skills to community health workers and causing a positive impact in reproductive health and fighting, malaria and HIV/AIDS among other diseases. The volunteers will be in the country for two years working in the community health sector around the country, as well as 10 rapid response volunteers who will teach English in secondary schools. Director Hessler-Radelet speaks to press yesterday on role of Peace Corps volunteers in empowering communities. The group has been in Rwanda for the last three months undergoing training and learning the local language and cultural values prior to their swearing-in ceremony yesterday. Aimee Carlson, 24, one of the volunteers and an expert in agriculture and nutirition, told The New Times that she will help in kitchen guidance and improving nutrition practices of expectant mothers and infants. A group photo of the 27 new Peace Corps volunteers with the US ambassador to Rwanda in the center. US Ambassador to Rwanda Erica J. Barks-Ruggles (R) chats with Carrie Hessler-Radelet the Director of the Peace Corps. The new Peace Corps volunteers share the dance moves that they have learnt for the last three months they have spent in Rwanda.

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US Peace Corps volunteers sworn in