May 24, 2017
Yangon, Myanmar — Peace Corps strengthens its commitment of service to the people of Myanmar with the swearing-in ceremony of a new group of 15 Peace Corps Volunteers in Yangon on May 26, 2017. This is the second group of Volunteers to serve in Myanmar. The Volunteers have successfully 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 and adaptation, the Volunteers lived in a local community in Bago Region and conducted practice school lessons for Myanmar students. During their two years of service, Volunteers will teach English at basic education middle and high schools in Yangon and Bago Regions.
A ceremony celebrating the commencement of their volunteer service will be held on Friday, May 26 at Karaweik Palace at 10:00 a.m. Those in attendance will include U.S. Charge d’affaires Kristen Bauer and representatives of the U.S. Embassy, the Acting Director of the Peace Corps Sheila Crowley, the Minister of Education Myo Thein Gyi, regional and local government officials, collaborating schools, Peace Corps staff, and Peace Corps Volunteers.
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. The Peace Corps program began in 2016 in Myanmar with the first group of Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Yangon Region. Volunteers worked side by side with Myanmar teachers of English in basic education middle and high schools.
Peace Corps Volunteers partner with Myanmar people to strengthen local capacity, facilitate cultural exchanges, and build friendships that last a lifetime. Peace Corps collaborates with the Ministry of Education to support their goals and priorities of upgrading education standards, improving the capacities of teachers, and providing quality English language instruction to students. Peace Corps uses participatory approaches to help teachers, parents, and community members build English skills and access greater opportunities to academic and professional growth.
Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 225,000 Americans have served in 141 host countries. Today, more than 7,000 Volunteers are working with local communities in 65 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries.
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