Press Release

Newest U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers Take Oath of Service

On Tuesday, January 6, 2009, the 28th group of Peace Corps Volunteers assigned to Namibia took their oath of service.  Dennise Mathieu, U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, administered their oath of service at 10:00 a.m. at the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) in Okahandja. 

These 20 Volunteers come from all parts of the United States and reflect America’s rich ethnic diversity.  They bring with them professional experience in education, health and community service.

The new Volunteers were selected through a rigorous, year-long nationwide process.  Since arriving in Namibia in November 2008, they have participated in an intensive eight week training program in Okahandja to improve their knowledge of Namibia, including extended study of local languages, culture and society, and the proud history of Namibia and the Namibian people.  They have also studied the professional and technical aspects of the positions to which they will be assigned while in Namibia.

Each of the 20 Volunteers has committed themselves to two years of service in Namibia.  They will be assigned to the Kavango, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto and Omusati regions and live  among the local Namibian population.  The Volunteers will be placed in either teaching or training positions through the Ministry of Education.  They will teach English, mathematics, science, or information technology at local schools.  They will also incorporate life skills training and HIV/AIDS information in their classroom activities and community projects. Such efforts represent an important component of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which will total over 100 million US dollars in 2009.

The Peace Corps operation in Namibia continues to be a vibrant and dynamic program.  Currently, there are 92 Peace Corps volunteers assigned to Namibia and the Peace Corps now serves all 13 regions of Namibia.  

In 2009, the United States Peace Corps will celebrate its 19th anniversary of service in the Republic of Namibia.  One of the first international organizations to work in Namibia after independence, the Peace Corps first arrived in Namibia in September 1990.  Their initial focus was educational reform and they worked closely with the Government of the Republic of Namibia to develop a truly national and inclusive educational program open to all Namibians.

####