Since 1992 more than 500 US Peace Corps Volunteers have been served in different towns and villages of Armenia.
Volunteers sworn in in Armenia
Swearing In Ceremony of the 13th group of US Peace Corps Armenia Volunteers
By Armine Amiryan
Armenia TV Company News Coverage
August 15, 2005
Reporter:
Since 1992 more than 500 US Peace Corps Volunteers have been served in different towns and villages of Armenia. The Swearing In Ceremony of the 13th group of Volunteers took place today. The US Ambassador John Evans participated in the event. Though the Volunteers were sworn in English, many of them know Armenian. Some of them like our country so much, that they have expressed a desire to stay in Armenia forever.
Journalist:
Matt Soniat will leave for America soon. Although it was somewhat difficult, he learned the Armenian language and became acquainted with Armenian culture and traditions during his two-year service. Moreover he passed on his knowledge of English to many students.
Matthew Soniat, A 11 TEFL PCV:
It was very interesting for me to live in Armenia. I have great impressions. I worked in Ashotsk, Shirak marz, for two years. It was a great pleasure to work with children there.
Journalist:
And so today 43 more Trainees were sworn in as new Peace Corps Volunteers. They spent the last three months of the pre-service training in different villages around Vanadzor in order to prepare for their two-year service. They studied the Armenian language and culture. In addition they completed both technical and safety and security trainings.
Elvira Dana is one of 43 Volunteers, after having spent ten weeks in Armenia, learned some new words. Elvira admitted, "Sometimes we couldn't read our own handwriting."
Volunteers gradually became accustomed to the uniqueness of Armenia. Now they can recite poems and sing songs in Armenian, and they know Armenian history very well.
Elvira Dana:
Our group came to Armenia when the strawberries were coming into bloom, and the word " strawberry" was one of our first learned words.
Journalist:
The US Peace Corps Armenia was established in 1992 by the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Armenia. Since that time more than 500 Volunteers have served in Armenia, working with various organization in the following areas: Teaching English, Community and Business
Development, Community Health and Environmental Education. These Volunteers have contributed their abilities and knowledge.
US Peace Corps was created by President John Kennedy in 1961 and has three goals:
1. To help the people of interested countries meet their needs for trained men and women;
2. To help promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of the peoples served; and
3. Help promote a better understanding of the people served on the part of the American people.
The Honorable John Evans
US Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia:
I love Peace Corps Volunteers tremendously. You will ask me why. The main reason is that these people are ready to help the citizens of other countries. The areas are different: health and Environmental Education, English teaching and Community and Business Development. After their service, Volunteers will take the obtained knowledge back to the United States to share the Armenian history and culture with Americans.
Patrick Hart
Peace Corps Armenia Country Director:
This group of 43 Trainees has been in Vanadzor for the past 10 weeks. They represent 23 United States of America. They already got acquainted with the Armenian culture and language.
Journalist:
The Peace Corps and Ministry of Trade and Economic Development have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in the area of community and business development. Peace Corps also anticipates serious input in the area of educational reforms.
The Teaching English as a Foreign Language Program was established in 1992 in Armenia and it is designed to assist the Republic of Armenia in enhancing its anticipation in the international community by increasing the quality of English program and providing other educational opportunities throughout Armenia.
Meanwhile, Matthew Soniat expressed a desire to stay in Armenia.
Matthew Soniat:
During two - year of service I managed to fall in love with Armenia and Armenians.
Reporter:
The US Peace Corps has three goals: to provide trained assistance to people of other countries as requested, to promote a better understanding of Americans by the people of the countries in which they serve, and to promote a better understanding of other cultures by Americans.
Patrick Hart
Peace Corps Armenia Country Director:
You will serve as ambassadors of Armenia and will teach Americans about Armenia on your return home.
Journalist:
This group of 43 Trainees ranges in age from 20 to 70, represents Americans from 23 States with college degrees from Bachelors to Ph Ds. They have completed three months of language and cultural training to prepare them for two years of service in towns and villages throughout Armenia. Many of them already speak Armenian.
Elvira Dana, Trainee:
I knew nothing about Armenia, but now I know. I like Armenian fruits, which is so delicious. I like Armenian language.
Journalist:
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans participated in the Ceremony. He addressed Trainees, "Use your abilities and knowledge in the best ways. Remember that you represent the best and the most perfect thing that the US has."
Since 1992 more than 500 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Armenia. With the addition of this new group, 90 volunteers will work throughout Armenia. The Volunteers organized a small presentation of an Armenian song right after the Swearing - In.
