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About Namibia
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History of Peace Corps Namibia
Peace Corps Namibia started with 14 Education Volunteers in 1990, after Namibia gained independence from South Africa and transitioned from Afrikaans to the English language in schools. The government requested the partnership to support students and teachers in improving their English skills.
In 2004, Peace Corps started its Community Health and HIV/AIDS program in response to the growing HIV epidemic in the country. Peace Corps Volunteers focused on HIV prevention and treatment with a focus on youth engagement and behavior change. This was largely driven by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which was launched that same year by the American government and has since invested over USD$1.6 billion to prevent and treat HIV in Namibia. This successful partnership with the government has contributed to a 74% reduction in HIV-related deaths and a 65% reduction in new HIV infections since the onset of the partnership.
The Community Economic Development sector began in 2010 in response to the Namibian government’s request to meet their growing need for economic opportunities. This Peace Corps program is particularly popular given that almost half of Namibian youth are unemployed.
Since 1990, more than 1,800 Volunteers have served in Namibia. Volunteers can be placed either in rural or urban areas, though Community Economic Development Volunteers tend to be in more urban areas.
Three ways to serve
In addition to two-year Volunteers, who arrive late August and engage in a robust training including in local languages, Peace Corps Namibia also recruits Response Volunteers, who arrive in May, and Virtual Service Pilot Participants who begin at varying times.
Peace Corps Response Volunteers are experienced professionals who undertake short-term, high-impact service assignments in communities around the world. They are expected to possess the technical skills needed to fulfill their assigned role with minimal training.
The Virtual Service Pilot connects qualified U.S. citizens with host country counterparts to meet partner requests in new ways—from supplementing on-the-ground Volunteer efforts to reaching regions where Volunteers cannot go. Participants collaborate virtually with counterparts to complete project tasks, donating 5-15 hours per week for 3-6 months.
Partners
Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS)
Peace Corps places both two-year and Response Health Volunteers with the Ministry of Health and Social Services to support in a variety ways.
Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture
Peace Corps places both two-year and Response Volunteers with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture at national and regional levels to help with fundraising, strengthening capacity, or improving teaching and learning. Most two-year Volunteers support students in rural and urban schools—through teaching, tutoring, camps or small projects. Some Volunteers support libraries or computer labs.
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD)
Peace Corps Community Economic Development Volunteers often work with town councils, which fall under the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
Town councils
Many two-year Community Economic Development Volunteers work with regional town councils. Volunteers may set up a help desk where they support community members with resumes or setting up a small business. Others organize events such as workshops on business or computers skills.
U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Peace Corps receives funding from PEPFAR to implement the Health program in Namibia. Volunteers contribute to efforts to keep people living with HIV on antiretroviral drugs. Peace Corps Response Volunteers also help build sustainable skills and systems within government or nonprofits.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Peace Corps Namibia works closely with several international and Namibian NGOs such as Home of the Arts (HOTA) and Scouts of Namibia.
Resources
Peace Corps provides updates on activities and events that take place in country.
Peace Corps provides updates on activities and events that take place in country.
Learn some words in the local languages spoken in Namibia: Khoekhoegowab language, Subia, Oshikwanyama, Rumanyo, Afrikaans.
Peace Corps Volunteer Profiles
Check out profiles and highlights of Volunteers who are or have been Volunteers in Namibia. They share their highlights, activities, lessons learned and how Peace Corps has shaped their outlook on life.
To find information about social and political history, travel information, and U.S. embassy information.
The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)
A national nonprofit organization for Returned Volunteers. You can find links to “Friends of” groups for most countries of service.
U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Learn more about other U.S. contributions to AIDS relief in Namibia.
