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Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers and Staff in Africa; Helps Celebrate 45th Anniversary of Peace Corps Cameroon

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 14, 2007 Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter departs today for a two-week trip to Africa, where he will meet with Peace Corps Volunteers in two countries, deliver a commencement speech and participate in the celebration of Peace Corps 45th Anniversary in Cameroon.

"Peace Corps has a long and positive legacy in Africa, and today more than a third of our Peace Corps Volunteers are serving there, Tschetter said. "There is immeasurable potential that resides within this great continent. The collaboration between American Peace Corps Volunteers and their African counterparts is truly inspiring and is helping so many communities move forward toward a brighter future.

Tschetter will travel to both Cameroon and Kenya. On June 21, he will participate in the 45th Anniversary of Peace Corps in Cameroon and the dedication of a bust of Peace Corps founder, President John F. Kennedy. Tschetter will then travel to Kenya where on June 23 he will be the commencement speaker at Daystar University, near Nairobi.

Tschetter is also scheduled to visit Peace Corps Volunteers at their sites in both countries and meet Peace Corps staff. Currently 101 Volunteers are serving in Cameroon and 134 Volunteers are serving in Kenya, working to help eradicate hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children, start new small businesses, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, among other projects.

Since 1961, more than 187,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.