2006.03.29: March 29, 2006: Headlines: COS - Cambodia: Expansion: Peace Corps: Peace Corps Volunteers to Serve in Cambodia for First Time
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2006.03.29: March 29, 2006: Headlines: COS - Cambodia: Expansion: Peace Corps: Peace Corps announces Program in Cambodia :
2006.03.29: March 29, 2006: Headlines: COS - Cambodia: Expansion: Peace Corps: Peace Corps Volunteers to Serve in Cambodia for First Time
Peace Corps Volunteers to Serve in Cambodia for First Time
“The Peace Corps is seeking new horizons for the 21st century. Cambodia, with its growing economy and nascent democracy, is an ideal partner as the Peace Corps looks to expand into new countries where volunteers have never had the opportunity to serve before,” said Director Vasquez.
PCOL Commentary: Congratulations to Director Vasquez and to the Peace Corps for the historic entrance into Cambodia, a country that has never hosted volunteers before.
Peace Corps Volunteers to Serve in Cambodia for First Time
Peace Corps Volunteers to Serve in Cambodia for First Time
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2006 – Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez and Cambodian officials announced a historic new partnership today between the Peace Corps and the Kingdom of Cambodia that will bring volunteers to this Southeast Asian country for the first time in the agency’s history.
“The Peace Corps is seeking new horizons for the 21st century. Cambodia, with its growing economy and nascent democracy, is an ideal partner as the Peace Corps looks to expand into new countries where volunteers have never had the opportunity to serve before,” said Director Vasquez.
The Peace Corps will be working with local community leaders to evaluate possible areas where volunteers can apply their skills. Over the next few months, the Peace Corps will establish an office in Cambodia and begin to train staff for the post. When volunteers begin serving early next year, they will be available to teach English and work in health education. As the program is established, the Peace Corps will look to expand into additional sectors and areas of the country.
Volunteers who serve in Cambodia will enter a country that has experienced record growth throughout the decade in their economy and in tourism. Under His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia has welcomed new partnerships with the U.S. government and other U.S. organizations.
Members of Congress have also been supportive of Peace Corps’ entry into Cambodia.
“Establishment of a Peace Corps program in Cambodia is another example of the American people working with Cambodians toward the rebuilding of their country,” said Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
"The Peace Corps will take that which is best about America – the boundless energy and optimism of our young people – and share it with the citizens of Cambodia, to our mutual benefit,” said Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The Peace Corps is celebrating a 45-year legacy of service at home and abroad, and a 30-year high for volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 182,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 138 countries where volunteers have served. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
When this story was posted in March 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community. |
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