20th group of US Peace Corps Volunteers in the Kyrgyz Republic to be sworn-in on July 18th
Bishkek, July 18 / Kabar/. With the completion of their training, 37 Peace Corps trainees will swear-in on Wednesday July 18th at a ceremony at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek. The Honorable Pamela Spratlen, Ambassador of the United States of America will administer the oath of office to this, the 20th group of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Deputy Minister of Healthcare, Marat Kaliev, will speak to the Volunteers on how they can support the healthcare programs of the country. Also attending the ceremony will be the Volunteers’ local counterparts, their host families at their new sites, Peace Corps staff, and former Volunteers who have served in this and other countries. After taking the oath, the new Volunteers will move to work sites in the Talas, Chui, Naryn, and Issyk Kul oblasts.
This 20th group of Volunteers has been in training for the last three months in Sokuluk Rayon. For nine weeks they have received intense instruction in either Kyrgyz or Russian depending on the dominant language in the community where they have been assigned. They also learned about the local culture and traditions, and how to stay safe and healthy.
Peace Corps Volunteers provide technical assistance in three program areas: English language instruction, healthcare education, and business skills development. Volunteers live and work in villages and cities for two years. In addition to their regular work, Volunteers organize educational camps for children, and provide training on critical thinking, life skills and healthy lifestyles. They also share American culture with their communities, and share Kyrgyzstani culture with their friends and families in the United States.
Next year the Peace Corps will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Volunteers to serve in the Kyrgyz Republic.
