FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 4, 1997

18 Peace Corps Officials From Overseas to Visit Long Branch Elementary School in Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA , June 4, 1997—Eighteen Peace Corps country directors will share their overseas experiences with more than 450 students at Long Branch Elementary School in Arlington on Friday morning, June 6.
The country directors, who oversee all of the Peace Corps volunteers serving in a particular country, will venture into individual classrooms to present information about the language, geography, culture, food, and music of their country of service. There will be a "closing ceremony" in which all the students will say good-bye to the directors in the native language of the represented Peace Corps countries.
The country directors are in Washington, D.C. this week to participate in a conference to plan for the Peace Corps\' future. They represent nations from all regions of the world, including such countries as South Africa, Romania, Honduras, Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Morocco. Three of the directors are previously from the Washington area.
Friday\'s event at Long Branch is in conjunction with Peace Corps\' World Wise Schools program, an ongoing effort to bring the experience and knowledge of currently serving and returned Peace Corps volunteers to Americans. Today, there are 3,500 currently serving Peace Corps volunteers corresponding with classes in all 50 states. Six Long Branch teachers and their students are World Wise Schools Program participants throughout the year.
"By talking to the students at Long Branch about their experiences around the world, the country directors will put a face on a place and encourage the students to become responsible global citizens," said Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan. "The country directors, like all those connected with the Peace Corps who participate in the World Wise Schools program, will help with one of the important goals of the Peace Corps: to bring the world back home."
Since 1961, more than 148,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, in 132 countries worldwide. Today, nearly 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in 91 countries, working in agriculture, business, education, the environment and health.
The event at Long Branch Elementary School will take place on June 6 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The school is located at 31 N. Fillmore St. in Arlington. For directions, please call the school at (703) 358-4220.

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