During that time, he said volunteers included doctors, nurses, and nursing tutors among others. He said many Batswana have benefited from the Peace Corps in one way or the other. Mr Matlhabaphiri said following the countrys economic success the programme was halted in 1997 only to be revived in 1998 when government declared HIV/AIDS a national crisis. He said American people were the first to extend a helping hand in 2003 when volunteers returned to Botswana. He urged the volunteers to make immense contribution to the development of Botswana and to interact with their host families and learn the Setswana language and culture.
Speaking during the occasion to welcome the 60 new Peace Corps at Molepolole College of Education Friday, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said the Peace Corps contributed immensely when there were significant shortages in specialized personnel in different sectors of the economy
US peace corps service critical
19 April, 2010
MOLEPOLOLE - The Peace Corps service has contributed immensely to improving the quality of life for Batswana since it first entered the country in 1966. Speaking during the occasion to welcome the 60 new Peace Corps at Molepolole College of Education Friday, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said the programme contributed immensely when there were significant shortages in specialized personnel in different sectors of the economy.
During that time, he said volunteers included doctors, nurses, and nursing tutors among others. He said many Batswana have benefited from the Peace Corps in one way or the other.
Mr Matlhabaphiri said following the countrys economic success the programme was halted in 1997 only to be revived in 1998 when government declared HIV/AIDS a national crisis. He said American people were the first to extend a helping hand in 2003 when volunteers returned to Botswana.
He urged the volunteers to make immense contribution to the development of Botswana and to interact with their host families and learn the Setswana language and culture.
On his part, MP for Molepolole South, Mr Daniel Kwelagobe informed the Peace Corps that Batswana are a proud nation and carry the responsibility for their livelihoods and progress.
It is thus no accident we formally adopted the principle of self reliance. He said the US government through the Peace Corps filled the enormous skill deficits across diverse fields that included health and education.
He said the challenges the country faced today were different from those it faced in the 1970s. The most intractable of them is HIV/AIDS, which devours our human and material resources like nothing we have known in the post independence period.
He said the disease also threatened to devour the resolve to prevail. Mr Kwelagobe also thanked the American government for a strong partnership it has demonstrated over the years. He also commended the volunteers noting that volunteerism was not out of fashion, but for making personal sacrifices.
In his welcoming remarks, KgosiKgolo Kgari Sechele III stated that hosting volunteers strengthened the friendship between Botswana and the US.
Kgosi Kgari urged host parents and Bakwena to make the volunteers enjoy their stay in the country. For those that have read the No 1 ladies detective, this is the country. While on his part, Peace Corps Director Botswana, Ms Peggy McClure said we are building on tradition of support to address the Botswana national strategic goals to address HIV/AIDS.
To the volunteers she said, it was time to embrace the culture and language of Batswana and bring rich experience and knowledge. BOPA
