U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien, swore in 16 new American Peace Corps Volunteers. This is the first group of Volunteers to arrive to Armenia since they were evacuated in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Volunteers have completed an 11-week training of Armenian language and culture and will now depart to different regions of Armenia, where they will live and serve for the next two years. The Volunteers will be living with Armenian host families and will work with English teachers and youth workers to support students in enhancing their English language skills and with young people as they transition from adolescence to become empowered, productive, and civically engaged adults.
“It’s a big day for Peace Corps Armenia and all our partners. Today we celebrate the return of Peace Corps Volunteers to Armenia. In just two days, our Volunteers will travel to their towns, cities and villages across Armenia, where they will work with their local partners to inspire students, teachers and the Armenian youth,” said Peace Corps Armenia Country Director, Joanne Fairley.
An audience of over 200 people attended the event including representatives of the Armenian government, U.S. Embassy staff, current and former Peace Corps Volunteers, families who have hosted Peace Corps volunteers in their homes, and international and local program partners.
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About Peace Corps: Peace Corps is an international service network of volunteers, community members, host country partners and staff who are driven by the agency’s mission of world peace and friendship. At the invitation of governments around the world, Peace Corps volunteers work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development and youth development. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have served in 142 countries worldwide.
About Peace Corps Armenia: In 1992, the Government of Armenia invited Peace Corps to establish a program in Armenia. Since 1992 Peace Corps has promoted peace and friendship in Armenia, while also contributing to the development of the education and youth sectors. Peace Corps Volunteers have also taught Armenians about American culture and brought what they’ve learned of Armenian culture back home to their communities in the United States.
Since 1992, more than 1,100 Volunteers have served in the Armenia Peace Corps Program.
