New Peace Corps Volunteers Start Work in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, February 13, 2009 – Thirty Eight new Peace Corps Volunteers were officially sworn in for duty today after taking an oath that they will work with their Ethiopian partners in friendship and in peace.  The volunteers will work in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and SNNP Administrative regions, focusing on the prevention, care and support and orphan and vulnerable children on HIV/AIDS.

In a ceremony at his residence, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto administered the Volunteers’ oath and commended their dedication to helping others.  “You are all Ambassadors, and your service contributes to the partnership between the United States and Ethiopia to create a more peaceful and prosperous future for all our citizens,” he said.  Ethiopian government officials, local dignitaries, and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who once served in Ethiopia attended the ceremony. 

The East African nation of Ethiopia was one of the first countries to invite Peace Corps to establish its program in 1962, just one year after the Peace Corps was founded. The primary focus of the program was on education, with the goal of training skilled workers and promoting economic development. In addition, Volunteers worked in agriculture, basic education, tourism, health, economic development and teaching English as a foreign language.

The Peace Corps remained in Ethiopia until 1977 and returned again in 1995 but suspended the program again in 2000 due to security concerns during the border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. More than 3,500 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Ethiopia over those years.

Peace Corps re-entered Ethiopia to work in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, specifically the Ministry of Health, in 2007. This is the second group to come to Ethiopia under the new program, funded in part by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The Volunteers will be working on HIV/AIDS related activities mainly prevention, care and support; and orphan and vulnerable children services.

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Since 1961, more than 190,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.