30 Peace Corps volunteers arrive in Guyana

A total of 30 Peace Corps trainees arrived in Georgetown Tuesday morning and will be starting their 27 months of service to the people of Guyana, the United States Embassy said in a statement Tuesday.

The new trainees make up the 32nd group of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in Guyana since 1995; representing 19 out of the 50 United States, with ages ranging from 21 to 54 and coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

According to the US Embassy, for the next ten weeks of pre-service training, trainees will live with host families who will teach them the Guyanese way of life as they learn how to prepare local food, negotiate in the market place, and participate in community activities.

In addition, their Pre-service training will consist of a strong technical component within the health, education and environment sectors where trainees will be engaged in field practicums within our new local model school program.

“Combined, these efforts enhance their abilities to meet the needs of the nine communities in which they will serve.  The group is expected to be officially sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers on Wednesday, August 07, 2019,” the Embassy noted in its statement.

In March 1961, President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps to provide human resource and technical assistance to developing countries that requested support.

The Peace Corps was first active in Guyana from 1966-1971.  The agency later returned in 1995 upon the re-invitation of President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Since its establishment, more than 900 American Volunteers have supported numerous communities throughout Guyana.