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US Peace Corps equipped with local dialects to help SA communities
Fifteen US Peace Corps volunteers have been equipped with Sepedi and Setswana language skills to make a positive impact in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. They were sworn in on October 4 during the Peace Corps South Africa annual ceremony in Waterkloof, Pretoria.
These volunteers will spend the next two years residing in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, focusing on improving health and basic education in local communities. Nine volunteers will work on the HIV Awareness & Prevention Programme for Youth Project, while six will concentrate on the Literacy Enrichment Project (LEP).
Having arrived in South Africa on July 17, the 44th group of volunteers recently underwent a ceremony in Pretoria to implement literacy and HIV prevention initiatives in the targeted regions, particularly supporting teachers from grades R to 4.
Prior to their assignment in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, the volunteers underwent a rigorous 10-week pre-service training period, during which they applied their acquired skills within their host families in Groblersdal.
Reflecting on the occasion, US Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Reuben E. Brigety II, commended the volunteers for their dedication and cultural immersion. Dr Brigety highlighted the collaborative efforts with local organisations to enhance the health and well-being of communities, expressing gratitude for the long-standing collaboration between the US Peace Corps and the South African government.
Nkangala district education department Douglas Metji Maja acknowledged the Peace Corps’ work and their understanding of local languages, emphasizing the positive impact on schools and communities.
Volunteers Molly Feeley and Danna Kaufman expressed readiness to embrace South African culture while exchanging varied traditions and experiences. They emphasized shared goals of service, learning, and promoting world peace and friendship.
Dr John Nkengasong, US Global AIDS Coordinator, emphasized the volunteers’ role in nation-building and imparting valuable knowledge to the communities they serve.
Country Director of Peace Corps SA, Kristi Raube, highlighted the strong relationship between the US and South Africa, showcasing mutual efforts towards positive global impact.
The Peace Corps has been supporting South Africa since President Nelson Mandela’s invitation in October 1994, with the aim of addressing key social issues. The addition of 15 new volunteers brings the total number of Peace Corps participants in the country to 1,800.
For further details on the Peace Corps and its initiatives in South Africa, visit Peace Corps South Africa website.
