Peace Corps Volunteers Returning to Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia
May 19, 2009
Peace Corps is pleased to announce the resumption of its service to Georgia with the upcoming arrival of a new group of Peace Corps Volunteers in June. This will be the first group of Volunteers to serve in Georgia since the program was suspended in August 2008. Volunteers will teach English at secondary schools or work in NGOs or business support organizations in Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli.The US Peace Corps operates in Georgia at the request of the Georgian government and provides qualified men and women who contribute to social and economic development while promoting a better understanding between Americans and Georgians.The Peace Corps Georgia program was established in 2001 and since that time more than 255 Volunteers have served in Georgia.
This will be the ninth group of Volunteers to serve in Georgia and will consist of 20 English teachers and 10 business advisors. The Volunteers will participate in a nine-week Pre-Service Training program concentrating on Georgian language and culture, technical, health, and safety training prior to commencing their service. To facilitate their learning and adaptation, they will also live with Georgian host families.The Peace Corps is a United States Government agency founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship.
The Peace Corps has shared with the world America's most precious resource - its people. Coming from all walks of life, Volunteers represent the rich diversity of American society. As the Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary in 2011, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world.Since 1961, over 195,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries in which they have served. Currently, 7,876 Peace Corps Volunteers serve in 76 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East.