At a ceremony in Terelj, Ambassador Richard L. Buangan addressed the newest group of Peace Corps Volunteers, known as the M34 cohort, as they completed their pre-service training and prepared to begin two years of service in Mongolia.
Ambassador Buangan congratulated the volunteers for finishing their training and thanked them for their commitment. "Congratulations to the M34 group of trainees for successfully completing your pre-service training. Thank you for volunteering to serve in the Peace Corps and for dedicating the next two years of your lives to working alongside your Mongolian Supervisors and Counterparts in schools. I’ll never forget the warm welcome you all gave me last month when I visited you during your training. It was immediately evident to me then your talent, your energy, and the enthusiasm you all are bringing here. I’m honored to return to send you all off as you embark on your journey as Peace Corps Volunteers. I’m excited for all the adventures and experiences that lie ahead for you. You are well versed in Mongolian customs; you are fluent in the Mongolian language. As they say in Mongolian: Усыг нь уувал Ёсыг нь дага. You will not just serve the community, but you will be part of it as well."
He emphasized that living among local communities is key to understanding cultural traditions: "I cannot think of a higher form of respect for people’s social customs and traditions, than by living among them. That is a Peace Corp Volunteer’s greatest asset and most powerful tool in achieving mutual understanding."
The ambassador noted shared values between Mongolia and the United States, such as individual freedom and representative democracy, stating these connections go beyond government relations: "As you all have discovered over the course of your training, the United States and Mongolia share a special connection. We have common values and beliefs in individual freedom and representative democracy which make our connections important at a personal level, not just at a government level..."
He highlighted that volunteers play an essential role in building lasting relationships between both countries: "The strongest bridge that we have between our two countries is the one formed between our two peoples... Unlike Americans who come to Mongolia for a short term as tourists or to do business – and only in the summertime- you all come here to live and work in local communities for many winters and years at a time..."
Ambassador Buangan described Peace Corps service as challenging but meaningful: "Peace Corps service is not easy... President John F. Kennedy when creating the Peace Corps in 1961 anticipated that Peace Corps Volunteers would be challenged and serve under hardship to carry out their duties... Whether it is a hard winter, traveling to a remote area with no electricity or sewage system, or having feelings of isolation and homesickness, you will encounter challenge and hardship during your service..."
He encouraged volunteers to rely on each other during difficult times: "You also learn to depend on each other for strength, inspiration, and confidence... Above all, be patient and face each challenge with optimism..."
Ambassador Buangan thanked Mongolian officials present at the event for supporting Peace Corps activities: "I want to take a moment to thank our host government and the representatives in attendance today for their support of Peace Corps’ mission and our volunteers..."
He remarked on how English education provided by volunteers has contributed over four decades toward strengthening Mongolia's society: "Just talk to ministers, and members of Parliament, and CEOs, and Mongolians from all walks of life who have learned English from a Peace Volunteer over the past 40 years... They are all better equipped to build their country because of what they learned from a Peace Corps Volunteer."
In closing his remarks he told new volunteers: "So go forth... In Mongolian they say Эвийг эрхэмлэвэл Эрдэм дэлгэрнэ – Where there is harmony or peace, wisdom thrives..." He expressed appreciation on behalf of both nations.