FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, October 25, 1996

The Peace Corps to Send Americans to Jordan Peace Corps Director To Sign Agreement Monday in Amman

WASHINGTON, D.C.. Oct. 25, 1996—Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan will travel to Jordan this weekend to sign an agreement Monday morning that will send Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Jordan next year for the first time ever.
The signing in Amman by Gearan and Hammad Abu Jamous, the Jordanian Minister of Social Development, is the culmination of 18 months of planning between the Peace Corps and officials from the government of Jordan.
"This is a partnership of historic significance," said Gearan. "Sending volunteers to Jordan is a momentous step for the Peace Corps and the people of Jordan. By living and working at the grass-roots level, Peace Corps volunteers will strengthen the personal ties between Americans and Jordanians. I am confident that when our Peace Corps volunteers return home, they will share with other Americans what they have learned about the richness of Jordanian history and culture."
On Sunday, Gearan will visit three sites in Jordan where Peace Corps volunteers may work, including Sahab, Na\'ur and Iraq Al-Amir. On Monday and Tuesday, he will meet with Queen Noor, members of the Royal Court, the Prime Minister and other senior government officials, as well as leaders of the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation and the Queen Alia Fund to discuss possible activities for Peace Corps volunteers.
About 25 volunteers are expected to arrive next spring. They will likely work with local groups, particularly women\'s income-generating groups and organizations that manage tourism in Jordan\'s newly formed national parks.
Jordan represents the 133rd country Peace Corps has entered since 1961. More than 145,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps in its 35-year history. Today, close to 7,000 volunteers serve for two years in 91 countries all over the world, working in education, agriculture, health, the environment, small business development and other areas.

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