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.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: March, 2006; Peace Corps Cambodia; Directory of Cambodia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Cambodia RPCVs; Expansion

When this story was posted in January 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

---

Subscribe to Peace Corps News Don't miss our new web site, Peace Corps News, for the latest news about the Returned Volunteer community and what is going on with the Peace Corps around the world. Subscribe to our news feed to get Peace Corps news delivered to your desk as it happens. Then visit the Peace Corps Library, History of the Peace Corps, the worldwide RPCV Directory or leave a message for the RPCV community on the RPCV Bulletin Board.

---

---

January 14, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Dodd declares candidacy in 2008 Presidential race 11 Jan Malawi RPCVs found "Orphan Support" 11 Jan John Garamendi takes oath as California Lt. Governor 8 Jan Amy Smith prepares her students for field trips to remote villages 8 Jan CES provides loans to rural constituents in Guatemala 6 Jan RPCV Tom Bissell writes: Rolling Estonia 5 Jan Lance Holter writes: 1st Lt. Ehren Watada risks it all 2 Jan Paul Theroux writes: Remember the Cicadas 2 Jan Louise M. Pascale republishes Afghan children's songs 31 Dec Husband remembers Niger RPCV Mary Ann Hobson 30 Dec Bob Leventry faces problems importing organic quinoa 29 Dec Congressmen urge increase in diplomatic and development programs 27 Dec Family says treatment after PCV death left bitter feeling 27 Dec Family finishes project after PCV dies in shark attack 26 Dec Mark Ridoff writes: Productivity doesn't aid middle class 24 Dec Dodd says begin process of getting troops out of Iraq 24 Dec PCVs caught in street protest in Bolivia 22 Dec Honda named to powerful Appropriations Committee 22 Dec PCOL and NPCA collaborate on story "Snowshoe Bob" 21 Dec Alejandro Toledo charged in Forgery Scheme 21 Dec Michael O'Hanlon writes: The State of Iraq 20 Dec Carl Pope writes: Renewable energy offers new jobs 20 Dec

---

December 20, 2006: This Month's Top Stories Tunisia RPCV Jeannie Ritter is new first lady of Colorado 13 Dec John Nichols writes: Petri ought to consider change to Democrat 19 Dec Craig Simons writes: Wolong is home to wild pandas 17 Dec George Neavoll holding essay contest for stamp collection 17 Dec Taft plans to revisit Tanzania where he served as PCV 17 Dec Tschetter gives address at Florida Gulf Coast University 16 Dec President of Macedonia addresses PCVs taking oath 15 Dec President Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin visits PC HQ 14 Dec Submissions sought "Letters Home from the Peace Corps" 14 Dec Hill leads negotations with North Korea after 13-month hiatus 14 Dec Reed Hastings endows new charter school organization 14 Dec John Bridgeland launches 'Malaria No More' 14 Dec Ann Easterly creates libraries in Africa 13 Dec Damian Jones started Annapolis-based "Aid Through Trade" 13 Dec Alberto Ibarguen to be Chairman of the Newseum 13 Dec Jonathan Lash writes: World undergoing rapid change 13 Dec Ben Moyer named Chief Executive Officer of Pro Mujer 12 Dec James Rupert drafts letter of protest to 'Newsday' 11 Dec Tom Weisner potential contender to replace Dennis Hastert 11 Dec PC deploys SPSS Predictive Analytics for PCV Surveys 11 Dec Congress passes Walsh's Resolution supporting democracy in Nepal 10 Dec

---

Ron Tschetter in Morocco and Jordan On his first official trip since being confirmed as Peace Corps Director, Ron Tschetter (shown at left with PCV Tia Tucker) is on a ten day trip to Morocco and Jordan. Traveling with his wife (Both are RPCVs.), Tschetter met with volunteers in Morocco working in environment, youth development, health, and small business development. He began his trip to Jordan by meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and discussed expanding the program there in the near future.

---

Election 2006: Results of RPCV Races Chris Shays claims victory in closely watched race Jim Walsh wins re-election to Congress in close race Tom Petri unopposed for re-election to Congress Sam Farr wins re-election to Congress Mike Honda wins re-election to Congress Jim Doyle wins re-election to Wisconsin Governorship Kinky Friedman loses in long shot bid for Texas Governor John Garamendi elected Lt. Governor of California

---

The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. FAQ: Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL.

---

Chris Dodd's Vision for the Peace Corps Senator Chris Dodd (RPCV Dominican Republic) spoke at the ceremony for this year's Shriver Award and elaborated on issues he raised at Ron Tschetter's hearings. Dodd plans to introduce legislation that may include: setting aside a portion of Peace Corps' budget as seed money for demonstration projects and third goal activities (after adjusting the annual budget upward to accommodate the added expense), more volunteer input into Peace Corps operations, removing medical, healthcare and tax impediments that discourage older volunteers, providing more transparency in the medical screening and appeals process, a more comprehensive health safety net for recently-returned volunteers, and authorizing volunteers to accept, under certain circumstances, private donations to support their development projects. He plans to circulate draft legislation for review to members of the Peace Corps community and welcomes RPCV comments.

---

He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.

---

Meet Ron Tschetter - Our Next Director Read our story about Ron Tschetter's confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that was carried on C-Span. It was very different from the Vasquez hearings in 2001, very cut and dried with low attendance by the public. Among the highlights, Tschetter intends to make recruitment of baby boomers a priority, there are 20 countries under consideration for future programs, Senator Dodd intends to re-introduce his third goal Peace Corps legislation this session, Tschetter is a great admirer of Senator Coleman's quest for accountability, Dodd thinks management at PC may not put volunteers first, Dodd wants Tschetter to look into problems in medical selection, and Tschetter is not a blogger and knows little about the internet or guidelines for volunteer blogs. Read our recap of the hearings as well as Senator Coleman's statement and Tschetter's statement.

---

Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process.

---

The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace.

---

PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

---

History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

Read the stories and leave your comments.