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His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho Visits Peace Corps Headquarters
WASHINGTON – Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen welcomed His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Peace Corps Headquarters May 10, celebrating the long partnership between Peace Corps and Lesotho.
“We are deeply grateful for the chance to welcome you, just as you have welcomed our volunteers,” said Olsen. “For more than 50 years, Peace Corps has been proud to partner with your government and the people of Lesotho in changing lives and building a brighter future. This remarkable legacy is possible because of the support and collaboration of your Kingdom, and Peace Corps is deeply grateful.”
More than 2,500 volunteers have lived and worked in Lesotho since 1967. Today, the 120 volunteers serving in the Kingdom are working in the health and education sectors, prioritizing life skills and HIV prevention among youth.
Director Olsen and King Letsie III were joined by Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lesego Makgothi, Ambassador to the United States Eliachim Molapi Sebatane, Director of Europe and Americas Itumeleng Rafutho-Labuschagne, Senator Peete Lesaoana Peete, Senior Private Secretary to His Majesty Monehela Posholi, and Peace Corps officials.
Following his visit to Peace Corps Headquarters, King Letsie III will deliver the Commencement address May 12 at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Wittenberg has strong ties to Lesotho thanks to history Professor Scott Rosenberg, who served in Peace Corps Lesotho and launched a program that sends Wittenberg students to the Kingdom for service projects.
About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their Peace Corps experience, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 230,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide.
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