"As I reflect on the challenges these Volunteers have already faced in coming to Tanzania and immersing themselves in the past nine weeks of intensive training, and the challenges they will face over the next two years, I have to admit that I am somewhat jealous. The Peace Corps provides a unique opportunity that combines adventure, significant intellectual and physical challenges, and the chance to help others while learning a great deal about oneself. For many of us in the U.S. diplomatic corps, the Peace Corps represents our alter ego. We often feel that we are unfortunately trapped by our suits and ties, and our official duties – with the result that we deal primarily with government officials and other diplomats. We rarely get the chance to get out among the quote-unquote normal people, to get to know them on a personal level; to openly discuss their hopes, desires, and possibly heartaches and to share with them our experiences. The unanswered question that circulates within the Peace Corps is whether the Volunteers have a greater influence on the lives of those they work with or whether the Volunteers ultimately experience a greater change in their lives than the people they have served. I think it may be the latter, as I have never met a Peace Corps Volunteer who regretted having made the choice to serve." US. Ambassador to Tanzania until the White House announced his replacement on June 8, 2007, Michael Retzer, is a former Mississippi businessman and former official at the state and national level for the Republican party.
US Ambassador to Tanzania, Michael Retzer, has swears-in a group of 36 new Peace Corps volunteers
36 New Peace Corps Volunteers Sworn-in In Morogoro
# Focus on education and HIV/AIDS awareness
November 29, 2005
US Ambassador to Tanzania, Michael Retzer, has sworn-in a group of 36 new Peace Corps volunteers who will be working in Tanzania for the next two years.
The swearing-in ceremony that was held in Morogoro on Tuesday, November 29, consisted of volunteers who will be working in secondary schools as teachers of physics, chemistry, biology, math, and information and communication technology (ICT). They will also be working on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention with in-and-out-of-school youth as their secondary projects.
According to a press release from the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, the swearing-in ceremony was also attended by Morogoro Regional Commissioner Stephen Mashishanga, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Service Management George Yambesi, who was the guest of honour, and Peace Corps Country Director Christine Djondo.
Ambassador Retzer told the volunteers and guests at the ceremony that the Peace Corps was starting its 34th year of service in Tanzania, and that relations between the United States and Tanzania continue to broaden and strengthen each year.
“With the end of the Cold War and a shared commitment to common interests such as economic development, education and the fight against poverty and disease, the bonds between our two countries have continued to strengthen,” he said.
Ambassador Retzer explained how educating young minds in the hard sciences, mathematics and ICT fields are just one of the ways that the Peace Corps programme here in Tanzania are helping to educate the country’s future leaders. These Peace Corps volunteers will also be working closely with youth on the all important issue of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, a critical issue for the future of the country.
The Ambassador said that he is proud that the United States has led the global fight against AIDS, he said, dedicating billions of dollars to research, prevention and care, while working closely with local partners in over 100 countries around the world.
Tanzania is one of the 15 countries in the world which the US has identified as a focus country for special HIV/AIDS funding - $15 billion over 5 years – because these countries represent almost half of the world’s infections.
Following is a full-text of Ambassador Michael Retzer’s remarks:
US Ambassador Michael Retzer Remarks
Morogoro Peace Corps Swearing-In Ceremony
November 29, 2005
Honourable Regional Commissioner of Morogoro;
Honourable Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Service Management; Other esteemed guests;
Asanteni sana kwa kuwa hapa leo.
• It is a pleasure and an honour for me to be here with you in Morogoro today for the swearing-in of this group of Peace Corps Volunteers. In particular, I would like to thank the families from the area that are represented here who have opened their homes to this group of Volunteers, helping them to quickly learn about the country they will be serving in for the next two years. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the community leaders and others who have helped this group of Volunteers during their training program. Asanteni sana wote!
• The history of the Peace Corps in Tanzania mirrors the relationship between the U.S. Government and the Government of Tanzania. When the Peace Corps was created over forty years ago, Tanzania was one of the first countries to request Peace Corps Volunteers, and it received its first Volunteers in 1962. The program continued for a little more than six years until it was interrupted for a decade by a downturn in diplomatic relations. In 1979, however, the program was resumed, and in 1983 President Nyerere was on hand to help the Peace Corps mark its 10th year of service in Tanzania.
• With this group of Volunteers here today, the Peace Corps is starting its 34th year of service in Tanzania. Today, relations between the United States and Tanzania are dynamic and based on mutual respect. With the end of the Cold War and a shared commitment to common interests such as economic development, education and the fight against poverty and disease, the bonds between our two countries have continued to strengthen.
• The horrible attack on the U.S. Embassy in 1998, also served to solidify our countries’ mutual commitment to remaining constantly vigilant to the threat of terrorism.
• In recent years, the United States government has invested significantly in the future of Tanzania with significantly increased funding to combat the two largest threats to the country: HIV/AIDS and malaria. The United States is also working closely with the Tanzanian government and directly with civil society groups to improve economic opportunities, strengthen the democratic process, and increase access to education.
• As you know, Tanzania is facing serious challenges in providing quality education to its young people. These Volunteers that we are swearing in today will be working in this all-important education arena. All of them will be working in secondary schools as teachers of physics, chemistry, biology, math and information communication technology.
• Educating young minds in the hard sciences, mathematics, and information communications technology fields, however, is just one way that the Peace Corps program here in Tanzania is helping to educate future leaders for this wonderful country. These volunteers will all also be working on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention with in-and-out-of-school youth as a secondary but critical part of their projects.
• I am proud to say that the United States has led the global fight against HIV/AIDS, dedicating billions of dollars to research, prevention and care, and working closely with local partners in over 100 countries around the world. Tanzania is one of fifteen countries in the world which the United States has identified as a focus country for special HIV/AIDS funding - $15 billion over 5 years – because these countries represent almost half of the world’s infections. When all is said and done, however, one of the most urgent tasks at hand in order to reduce AIDS in Tanzania is to better inform young people about the disease and help them develop the skills needed to engage in healthy behaviours.
• That is why this portion of the work of this group of Volunteers is of such critical importance. Increasing HIV/AIDS awareness among the youth is the best investment we can make in their future. Understanding the disease, and how to avoid it, greatly increases the chances that the young people of Tanzania will not fall victims to HIV/AIDS, and will instead have healthy and productive lives. I am proud of our Volunteers for taking on this important challenge and I encourage all of you to communicate openly with young people about HIV/AIDS whenever the opportunity arises. Working together, we can defeat this devastating disease.
• As I reflect on the challenges these Volunteers have already faced in coming to Tanzania and immersing themselves in the past nine weeks of intensive training, and the challenges they will face over the next two years, I have to admit that I am somewhat jealous. The Peace Corps provides a unique opportunity that combines adventure, significant intellectual and physical challenges, and the chance to help others while learning a great deal about oneself.
• For many of us in the U.S. diplomatic corps, the Peace Corps represents our alter ego. We often feel that we are unfortunately trapped by our suits and ties, and our official duties – with the result that we deal primarily with government officials and other diplomats. We rarely get the chance to get out among the quote-unquote normal people, to get to know them on a personal level; to openly discuss their hopes, desires, and possibly heartaches and to share with them our experiences.
• The unanswered question that circulates within the Peace Corps is whether the Volunteers have a greater influence on the lives of those they work with or whether the Volunteers ultimately experience a greater change in their lives than the people they have served. I think it may be the latter, as I have never met a Peace Corps Volunteer who regretted having made the choice to serve.
• That said, this is a significant commitment by these 36 Volunteers, who have chosen to take on the often daunting challenges of moving to a totally foreign environment, giving up the comforts associated with life in the United States and attempting to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people they will be working with for the next two years. It is truly a select and dedicated group of individuals who choose to take on these challenges.
• Peace Corps Volunteers present the human face of America to the people of Tanzania. You will serve as the ambassadors of the U.S. at the people-to-people, grassroots level. On behalf of the U.S. government and the millions of Americans who benefit from the positive relations you are promoting with our Tanzanian friends, I want to thank you for being such outstanding representatives of the American spirit of initiative, humanity and self-sacrifice.
• You have some hard work ahead of you, and you'll face trials and tribulations. I know life far from loved ones can be difficult and lonely. I know too, however, that you will be developing close bonds with the Tanzanians with whom you will be working, and that, ultimately, you will look back on your service in Tanzania as one of the more rewarding accomplishments of your life.
• Thank you for your commitment and resolve, we wish you the best of luck and, please remember, have fun!
