{'html': "Washington, D.C., February 14, 2000—New Peace Corps Director Mark L. Schneider, who served as a volunteer in El Salvador from 1966-68, visited his old volunteer job site in San Salvador last week.
As part of a weeklong trip to Central America, which also included stops in Guatemala and Honduras, Schneider visited a small footbridge he built over a ravine in San Salvador, which had divided his community. The bridge still stands and has been named after Schneider.
Schneider's wife, Susan, who served with him as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador, accompanied him on the trip. This was Schneider's first trip overseas since he was named Director eight weeks ago.
The trip included visits with current Peace Corps volunteers in all three countries. In Guatemala and El Salvador, Schneider met with public and private sector officials involved in the post-conflict governance process. In Honduras, Schneider also met with current Crisis Corps volunteers (veteran volunteers who have returned to the region for short-term assignments) who are working in disaster management and mitigation in the wake of Hurricane Mitch.
Currently, more than 7,000 volunteers are serving in 77 countries around the world, working to help fight hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children, help start new small businesses, and stop the spread of AIDS.
"}