Peace Corps: 44 New Volunteers Take Oath of Service

U.S. ambassador Lewis Lukens (right) and Minister-Counselor Abdou Latif Coulibaly (left). [US Embassy photo]

One of the volunteers speaking [US Embassy photo]

On Friday, May 11, 2012, the U.S. ambassador to Senegal, Lewis Lukens, presided over the swearing-in ceremony for 44 new Peace Corps volunteers.  Abdou Latif Coulibaly, Minister-Counselor to President Macky Sall, represented the Senegalese government.  The 44 volunteers were sworn in and received their assignment letters.  24 of the volunteers will serve in the health education field, and 20 will serve in the field of environmental education.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.  The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

From St. Louis to Saraya, from Fongolimbi to Foundiougne, and from Kanel to Kolda, Senegal has about 260 Peace Corps volunteers involved in the fields of sustainable agriculture, urban agriculture, agroforestry, environmental education , health education, small business development, and ecotourism.  The choice of fields is based on needs expressed by the Government of Senegal.  Assignments to the villages and towns in Senegal are made in partnership with Senegalese authorities