Washington, D.C., October 19, 1998—Twenty-four new Peace Corps volunteers will make Peace Corps history this week, when they land in the southern African country of Mozambique to become the first group to serve there. Plans for the send-off of the volunteers include an event and reception in Denver on October 21.
At the invitation of the Mozambican government, the volunteers will work to help improve the quality of English taught in grades 8-10, and work to help Mozambican teachers upgrade their skills.
"Sending volunteers to Mozambique is a momentous step for the Peace Corps and the people of Mozambique," said Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan. "By living and working at the grass-roots level, Peace Corps volunteers can further strengthen the personal ties between our two countries."
Gearan will attend the send-off event on Wednesday, and will be joined by special guests including Mozambique Ambassador Marcos Namashulua and Denver Mayor Wellington Webb.
The volunteers are in Denver for three days of training this week before they depart for Mozambique on October 22. Once in Mozambique, the volunteers will begin their service with three months of intensive technical, language, and cross-cultural training.
Mozambique represents the 133rd country the Peace Corps has entered in its 37-year history. Currently, more than 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 80 countries around the world to bring clean water to communities, teach children, protect the environment, help start new small businesses, and prevent the spread of AIDS. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.