On October 27, the U.S. government, through Peace Corps Zambia, swore in 31 new American volunteers. They had been trained for 11 weeks in intercultural sensitivity, language skills, and technical skills.

The volunteers will work on education and health projects with people in rural Central, Eastern, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Northwestern, and Southern Zambia for two years.

In addition to teaching English, 18 volunteers will work with the Ministry of Education to help teachers in grades 5–9 (primary and lower secondary schools) develop new ways to teach that are fair for both boys and girls.

The remaining 13 volunteers will work with the Ministry of Health to assist community health professionals in advocating measures to enhance maternal, neonatal, and paediatric health, as well as educate about malaria preventive and control measures.

The ceremony’s special guest was the Honorable Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education.

Special guests were Dr. Patricia Bobo, director of public health for the Ministry of Health, and His Royal Highness, Chief Chamuka VI of the Lenje people. Michael Gonzales, the American ambassador, administered the 31 new volunteers’ oaths of office.

Through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), all 31 volunteers will help prevent HIV/AIDS in their communities. This is in addition to their primary jobs in education and health. Additionally, they will promote access to the COVID-19 vaccines provided by neighborhood health centres and spread knowledge about COVID-19 transmission prevention in their areas.

Zambia’s government has invited the Peace Corps to work there.

Over 2,400 Peace Corps volunteers have lived in and served in rural communities across Zambia since the organization’s first volunteers entered the country in 1994.

In the past, Zambia has consistently welcomed the most Peace Corps volunteers worldwide.

It is distributed by APO Group on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Zambia.