Today in Kathmandu, Ambassador Dean R. Thompson and Peace Corps/Nepal Country Director Troy Kofroth officiated the swearing-in ceremony of 22 new Peace Corps Volunteers. These volunteers will embark on a two-year service period in Nepal, marking the 209th group of American Volunteers to serve in the country since the program's inception in 1962.
Ambassador Thompson emphasized the enduring mission of the Peace Corps by quoting President Kennedy: “Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed–doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language.” He added that this tradition continues as volunteers integrate into Nepali communities by living with host families, using local languages, and working for a small stipend.
The newly sworn-in volunteers arrived in January 2024 and completed an intensive 11-week training program focusing on language acquisition, cross-cultural understanding, and technical skills. They have been assigned to various districts within Gandaki and Bagmati provinces. Their roles include teaching English at government schools and collaborating on food security and health initiatives with multiple Nepali ministries.
This latest group brings the total number of active Peace Corps Volunteers in Nepal to forty, distributed across seven districts.
The Peace Corps is an international volunteer network dedicated to fostering world peace and friendship through collaboration with community members on projects tailored to local needs. Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, it has seen over 240,000 Volunteers serve across 144 countries worldwide.
For more information about their work or how to get involved, visit peacecorps.gov or follow them on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.