FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, May 26, 2017

First Group of Two-Year Peace Corps Volunteers to Begin Service in Myanmar

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 26, 2017 – Today, Acting Peace Corps Director Sheila Crowley joined U.S. Charge d’affaires Kristen Bauer and the Rector of East Yangon University, Dr. Kyaw Kyaw Khaung, in Yangon, Myanmar to swear in Myanmar’s first-ever two-year Peace Corps volunteers. After ten weeks of pre-service training, the 15 new volunteers were sworn in at a ceremony at the Karaweik Palace before leaving for their communities where they will teach English at local middle and high schools. Myanmar is the 141^st country to invite Peace Corps volunteers to work and live in local communities.

“This day marks a new chapter not just in our volunteers’ lives and careers – but also for the Peace Corps, and for the partnership between the United States and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,” Acting Director Crowley said. “I thank our Myanmar partners for their kindness, love, and warm welcome. We are honored to serve your communities, and we look forward to working with you, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, towards a brighter future for all our children.”

At the request of the Government of Myanmar, Peace Corps is providing qualified American men and women to assist Myanmar in meeting education goals while also promoting a better understanding between the people of the United States and Myanmar. The Peace Corps’ Myanmar program began in 2016 with a group of short-term Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Yangon Region. Volunteers worked side by side with Myanmar teachers of English in basic education middle and high schools.

Peace Corps volunteers around the world work with communities to strengthen local capacity, facilitate cultural exchanges and build relationships that last a lifetime. The Peace Corps works closely with local governments to support their goals and priorities such as upgrading education standards, improving the capacities of teachers, and providing quality English language instruction to students. 

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