04 Aug 2022

Twenty seven United States Peace Corps volunteers are expected to arrive in Botswana soon.

Peace Corps Botswana Language and Cross Cultural Coordinator, Mr Meshack Kgabanyane told political and administrative leadership of South East South sub-district on Wednesday that the volunteers would spend the first 11 weeks learning the language and Botswana culture in Ramotswa before being dispatched to other parts of the country.

Mr Kgabanyane said Peace Corps programme started in Botswana in 1961, with the aim to work with rural and under-served communities. 

He said from 2003 to date, Peace Corps focused more on helping the country to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He said from March 2020 until this year, there were no physically active volunteers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they helped Batswana virtually through the help of technology. 

Mr Kgabanyane said the expected volunteers would assist in local government offices, clinics and health teams, as well as non-government organisations. 

He however revealed that because of COVID-19, the volunteers would not be hosted by families as was the norm, but they would stay in lodges and visit families.

Mr Kgabanyane said although the programme duration was two years, volunteers were free to withdraw before that time elapsed or ask for a year extension.

He said one of the 27 volunteers would stay in Ramotswa and work with the district health management team. 

In response, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko encouraged Batswana to welcome the volunteers, work with them, make them feel at home and help them blend into the society. ends