US-based Peace Corps Volunteers yesterday swore in 19 more young volunteers who would be spending the next two years in Guyana making a contribution in various fields of the education sector.
19 US Peace Corps volunteers sworn in
by Jaime Hall
US-based Peace Corps Volunteers yesterday swore in 19 more young volunteers who would be spending the next two years in Guyana making a contribution in various fields of the education sector.
The ceremony, which was the 12th Swearing-in since the volunteers began, serving in Guyana, was held at the National Culture Centre, Home Stretch Avenue, Georgetown.
Prior to taking the oath, the volunteers went through an eight- week orientation in the various aspects or work area, which they would carry out during their tour of duty.
Charge D' Affairs of the United States Embassy Mrs. Betty Mc Cutchan in her remarks noted that there is now much emphasis in the Peace Corps on recruiting young people, recognizing that they always have skills and talent to offer. There is now more support for the services of volunteers she says.
Two of the issues volunteers in Guyana focuses mainly on are information technology and HIV/AIDS. Those problems did not exist at the time when the Peace Corps were formed.
However, the essence of the organization remains intact. Volunteers continue to serve and make a difference in the lives of those people with which they work.
Cultural exchanges and market technology for example, have greatly accelerated the process of change in the developing world.
People of all national are more interdependent than ever before, she points out, adding that what happened in other continents is immediately relevant to the daily lives of people in other parts of the world.
The price for rice, sugar and bauxite in Asia, Africa and Australia, she noted for example, has an immediate impact on income in Guyana.
Mrs. Cutchan says economic downturn in one part of the world could create a ripple effect that will impact on many other regions.
HIV/AIDS is a very serious threat here, and diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria continue to cause health problems.
But she pointed out that if Guyana did not have these problems the Peace Corps would not be needed as volunteer to help in the fight against these diseases through education.
She said the volunteers have taken on a tough job and as they go out to work in the various communities to which they were dispatched they should expect the best from people.
"If you expect people to fail it will eventually happen. If you expect them to live up to their potentials to do great things and to do their best, they are much more likely to achieve their goals".
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ganga Persaud in addressing the Peace Corps Volunteers said they would be able to assist the Ministry of Education in implementing progammes already set out by government to improve the sector.
He said that the current information technology programme would also be enhanced with the services of the volunteers.
Mr. Persaud said that the Ministry intends to hold discussions with the Director of the Peace Corps to slightly expand the role of the volunteers.
He said it is the intention of the Ministry to have the concurrence of the Director to have them work for the first year at the classroom level enhancing delivery particular programmes.
During the second year, it is hoped that the volunteers would be engaged in helping to develop the kind of skills in the given school where they are assigned.
