They are part of Micro-77, which sent 28 volunteers to islands throughout the FSM and Palau.
Attendees of the swearing-in ceremony included Prahar, Peace Corps Country Director for FSM and Palau Kevin Carley, Peace Corps program and training officer Janeen Dorsch, other Pohnpei-based programming and training staff, Pohnpei Department of Education Director Joe Villazon, other department administrators, and Peace Corps volunteers orientation host families and new site families.
U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Lori Dando and new Peace Corps Country Director Renwick Nelson attended the swearing in of four volunteers in Yap on Nov. 11.
In his speech, Prahar highlighted the upcoming 50th anniversary of the U.S. Peace Corps, saying that “it is almost unbelievable that in the half-century since [Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kennedy proposed the program], Americans from all walks of life, in good times and in bad, have continued to respond to Kennedy’s challenge with similar desire, enthusiasm, and determination.”
Speaking directly to the members of Micro-77, Prahar acknowledged that they had responded to the “challenge to serve, the challenge to give something back, the challenge to make the world a better place to live, the challenge to test [oneself] and to grow stronger.”
Looking beyond their two-year Peace Corps commitment, Prahar said: “I have every confidence that…you will continue to take an active role in matters of public service and public concern. And I have every confidence that for the rest of your lives, you will cherish your memories of the generous, warm-hearted, very, very special and dear to all our hearts people of Micronesia.”
In addition to the Pohnpei group, two Peace Corps volunteers will serve Kosrae, four in Chuuk Lagoon, three in the Mortlock Islands, one in Yap proper, three in Ulithi, and eight in Palau.
The volunteers’ efforts will be focused primarily on education.
The Peace Corps is a U.S. government agency that sends volunteers to countries requesting assistance worldwide. Peace Corps was founded in 1960 when then-Sen. John F. Kennedy, who later became America’s 35th president, encouraged students to serve their country by living and working in developing nations.
Volunteers work at the local level and focus on improving education, health, business, information technology, agriculture, and environment sectors.
The Peace Corps mission is “to promote peace and friendship.” Since its official establishment in 1961, the Peace Corps has sent approximately 195,000 volunteers to countries all over the world. Peace Corps volunteers first arrived in Micronesia in 1966. Since then, more than 5,000 volunteers have served in various islands throughout the FSM.
