FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 9, 2008

Peace Corps Director Visits Suriname

Ronald A. Tschetter is first Director to visit Volunteers in South American country

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 9, 2008 - Peace Corps Director Ronald A. Tschetter finished a four-day visit to the South American country of Suriname this week. The first Peace Corps Director in history to visit Suriname, Director Tschetter met the entire Peace Corps staff as well current Volunteers. More than 250 Volunteers have served in Suriname since the opening of the program in 1995.

U.S. Ambassador Lisa Bobbie Schreiber Hughes, an avid supporter of the Peace Corps program in Suriname, accompanied Director Tschetter on his visit to the Ministry of Regional Development. There he met with Director Patricia Meulenhof, who expressed her appreciation for the work of the Volunteers, and her interest in strengthening the involvement of the Peace Corps.

Ambassador Schreiber Hughes also hosted a reception at her residence for Director Tschetter. The reception was attended by numerous Peace Corps/Suriname partners, both governmental and those from the NGO community. In addition, Director Tschetter celebrated his birthday while in Suriname, along with two other Peace Corps Volunteers.

Currently, Peace Corps Volunteers in Suriname are working on either community health education or micro-enterprise and tourism development projects. Director Tschetter traveled up the Upper Suriname River to visit Volunteers serving in several Maroon communities.

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently there are 8,000 Volunteers abroad, a 37-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 190,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served, including Suriname. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. To learn more about the Peace Corps, please visit our website: www.peacecorps.gov.

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