13 Nov 2022

After almost two and a half years since their forced repatriation due to COVID-19, American peace corps volunteers are back.

Last Thursday, the cohort of the peace corps volunteers took an oath of service to commence their work.

 “The ideals of peace corps are timeless,” Botswana peace corps country director, Ms Daniella Monty-Mara said during the oath-taking ceremony.

She described the past two years as difficult for the peace corps volunteers as they could not serve due to the virus, adding that participants had played a significant role in the development of the country, particularly the national response to the HIV/AIDS scourge.

She stated that it was their wish that the nine volunteers would gradually increase to reach the pre-COVID-19 numbers by 2024.

“As of today, peace corps have over 950 volunteers back in 41 countries and is aiming to return to its pre-evacuation numbers,” she stated.

For her part, Kgosi Mosadi of Balete said welcoming the nine volunteers back was meaningful as the peace corps contribution had been beneficial to the country. 

“I commend you for choosing to serve in our country just as the world is re-opening after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kgosi Mosadi said.

She implored the volunteers to be exemplary as they would be role models and mentors in communities they would be stationed among.

Furthermore, she said they should strive to sustain the gains made in the fight against the HIV endemic in the country.

The National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) coordinator, Mr Ontiretse Letlhare thanked the peace corps volunteers for having chosen to serve in Botswana.

He also encouraged them to learn the village set-up and to be part of the community they served.

The oath-taking followed 11 weeks of training, which was conducted in Ramotswa.

The nine, who are the 21^st peace corps volunteer group in the country since independence, will be placed in institutions around the country such as schools, health facilities, government offices and civil society organisations.

The American peace corps was established in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship around the world and over 240 000 volunteers had served in 142 countries across the globe, with 2 816 having served in Botswana since independence. BOPA