FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2019
YANGON — Today, U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel swore in 32 new Peace Corps Volunteers, nearly doubling the total number of Peace Corps Volunteers in Myanmar. The Volunteers sworn in at the ceremony at the Summit Parkview Hotel will serve for two years, teaching English at basic education middle and high schools in Bago Region, Mon State. This year, they will also teach at schools in Magway Region for the first time. They join 42 Peace Corps Volunteers who are currently serving in Myanmar. Union Minister for Education Dr. Myo Thein Gyi made remarks at the event, welcoming the Peace Corps Volunteers. Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Magway Chief Minister Dr. Aung Moe Nyo, other Government of Myanmar, regional, and local officials, representatives from collaborating schools, and local families attended the event.
“The people of the United States want to support the people of Myanmar to reach their goals of greater freedoms, peace, and prosperity. Programs like the Peace Corps help us reach these shared goals,” Ambassador Marciel said.
This is the third group of American Volunteers to serve for two years in Myanmar. They come from all parts of the United States and reflect the country’s great diversity. These Volunteers have completed a ten-week pre-service training program concentrating on Myanmar language and culture, job-specific skills, and health and safety training. To facilitate their learning, the Volunteers have lived in a local community in Bago Region, learned from local sponsor families, and conducted practice school lessons for Myanmar students.
Country Director Pamela Martin told the new Volunteers, “through your service, working hand-in-hand with your Myanmar counterparts, community members, friends, and supporters, the hearts of our two nations are connected.”
Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, more than 230,000 Americans have served in 141 host countries. The Peace Corps operates at the request of the Government of Myanmar and provides qualified men and women who contribute to education goals while also promoting a better understanding between the people of the United States and Myanmar. Peace Corps Volunteers began working in Myanmar in 2016. With the addition of this new group, Peace Corps is significantly increasing the number of Volunteers serving the people of Myanmar; at the start of the new school year, 60 Volunteers will live and work side-by-side with their Myanmar counterparts.
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