November 30, 2001: Headlines: COS - Dominican Republic: Diplomacy: US Embassy in Dominican Republic: Remarks for Ambassador Hans Hertell Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony in Dominican Republic

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Dominican Republic: Peace Corps Dominican Republic : The Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic: November 30, 2001: Headlines: COS - Dominican Republic: Diplomacy: US Embassy in Dominican Republic: Remarks for Ambassador Hans Hertell Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony in Dominican Republic

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Remarks for Ambassador Hans Hertell Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony in Dominican Republic

Remarks for Ambassador Hans Hertell Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony in Dominican Republic

Remarks for Ambassador Hans Hertell Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony in Dominican Republic

Remarks for Ambassador Hans Hertell Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony ENTRENA, Pantoja

Mr. Martín Rosario, Regional Director for the Ministry of Youth; Ms. Nelly Ulerio de Brito, Manager of Communal Banks for the Asociación para Inversión y Empleo (ASPIRE); Anita Friedman, Peace Corps Country Director; John Seibel, President of ENTRENA; Jennifer McGowan, Training Director; Official Representatives of NGOs; Invited Guests; Host Families; Peace Corps and ENTRENA staff; Trainees; Ladies and Gentleman:

Welcome to the Swearing-In of the newest group of Peace Corps Volunteers;

Peace Corps has been present in the Dominican Republic since 1962, working side-by-side with the Dominican people for almost 40 years. More than 3,500 U.S. citizens have served as Volunteers here, and currently there are 102 Volunteers working in all parts of the country. The 33 volunteers here today come from different backgrounds and diverse parts of the United States. And you will be joining communities as diverse as Santiago and Azua, Mao and Barahona, and communities from Espaillat in the North to Samana in the East. But each of you takes your unique perspectives and ideas and demonstrate to your communities the very best that the United States has to offer.

The core mission of the Peace Corps is peace and friendship. The Peace Corps truly represents the bond between the people of the United States and the host country. More than ever, the Peace Corps' mission is important in the world today; promoting friendship, sharing cultures, and helping the people who are most in need.

The Peace Corps is best known in this country for its outstanding work with the people. Peace Corps Volunteers have improved the lives of thousands of Dominicans, through the work that they do at the community level, living and sharing with the community. The Volunteers who take their oath this afternoon, will work in the areas of agriculture, health, water and sanitation, and community economic development. Other Volunteers in this country are working in natural resource management and education.

This group, in particular, will assist the Ministry of Youth and non-governmental organizations to educate youth on HIV/AIDS prevention. I was impressed to learn that this year you reached over 5,000 young people with these AIDS education programs - this will make such a difference to prevent the spread of this disease. They will work with community groups such as Water Committees to build aqueducts to provide potable water in rural areas. In 2001, volunteers and their local communities built over 20 aqueducts - this meant potable water for more than 1,600 families - or around 5,800 individuals.

As new volunteers you will help women's and youth groups to learn to cultivate organic gardens and raise small animals to improve nutrition and you will teach farmers' groups how to find new markets for their products. You will also work with micro-credit programs with a special focus of helping woman-run business. This will not only mean an increase in the success of individual businesses, but more importantly better economic circumstances for countless families and especially children.

After three rigorous months of training, you are ready to serve and anxious to get started. I congratulate you, Trainees, for all of your efforts during these past three months, and for the important work that lies ahead in your communities. I thank the host families for providing so much support to the Trainees during the training. I also wish to thank the Dominican government, NGOs, and communities that will support you during your two years of service.

I hope to have the opportunity to visit you in your project sites in the near future. May your spirit and imagination be your guide as you work together with your Dominican communities to bring increased understanding and a better world to both peoples.

Thank you.

Follow with oath.




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Story Source: US Embassy in Dominican Republic

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Dominican Republic; Diplomacy

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