20th group of US Peace Corps Volunteers in the Kyrgyz Republic to be sworn-in on July 18th

July 17, 2012

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 20^th 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 20^th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Volunteers to serve in the Kyrgyz Republic. 

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About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. 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. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.

The Peace Corps Volunteers are here at the invitation of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic based on an agreement that was signed in 1993. With the swearing-in of the K-20 group, there will be a total of 82 Volunteers serving in the Kyrgyz Republic. For more information about the Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic, visit kyrgyz.peacecorps.gov.