Eighteen new Peace Corps Volunteers officially began their two-year tour of service in Macedonia after a swearing-in ceremony in Negotino
EVENTH GROUP OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS BEGIN SERVICE IN MACEDONIA
January 31, 2003
Negotino, Macedonia
Eighteen new Peace Corps Volunteers officially began their two-year tour of service in Macedonia after a swearing-in ceremony in Negotino. The swearing-in ceremony follows an 11-week intensive training program in language instruction and cultural and technical training.
U.S. Ambassador Lawrence Butler congratulated the Volunteers and commended their commitment to promoting peace and mutual understanding. "The Peace Corps program is recognized worldwide as a symbol of America's contribution to building a better world by fostering good relations and exchanging experiences."
Peace Corps Country Director Kim Green said: "The Mayor Jankov and the people of Negotino Gradsko, Rosoman, Pepelishte, and Demir Kapija have been wonderfully warm and welcoming to the Peace Corps Volunteers."
Training included intensive Macedonian language instruction and practice teaching with Macedonian students. It also provided information about the Macedonian educational system, the economic and business situation here, and an orientation to governmental and non-governmental programs, especially those working with environmental issues. Each Volunteer lived with a host family to give them a better understanding of the Macedonian community and culture, and to help them more quickly develop their Macedonian language skills.
The Volunteers will move to their assignments throughout Macedonia over the weekend. Nine will work with English language education and six will help in the structural organization of municipalities. Three Volunteers will work on environmental education and management programs with local NGOs. Volunteers will work in the communities of Delchevo, Demir Kapija, Gevgelija, Kochani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Makedonska Kamenica, Miravci, Novo Selo/Strumica, Pechevo, Prilep, Resen, Saraj, Skopje, and Zrnovci. An eighth group of 33 Trainees is expected in September of this year and will begin serving in additional communities throughout Macedonia in December.
The Peace Corps, now in its 42nd year, was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. The Peace Corps has three goals: 1. To assist countries requesting skilled individuals to provide technical assistance; 2. To help promote a better understanding of the American people through individual Volunteers; and 3. To share with American communities and families information about the communities and countries where Volunteers live and work. Through these efforts Peace Corps Volunteers work to foster peace in the international community and better understanding among people of different cultures and heritages.
More than 6,500 Peace Corps Volunteers currently live and work in local communities in 70 countries around the world. Volunteers work with projects in education, business development, agriculture, youth development and health care. Peace Corps Volunteers are now serving in a number of Eastern European countries including Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and the Ukraine.
For more information about the Peace Corps Macedonia program, please contact the Skopje office at 02/390-012.
