BY OWETHU DLAMINI
MBABANE– A grand welcoming and appreciation of Peace Corps post the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, who was represented by Principal Secretary (PS) to Prime Minister’s Office, Bertram Stewart, welcomed back and swore in the 11 Peace Corps volunteers at the US Embassy today.
The PS stated that the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini was proud of the enormous contribution made by the Peace Corps programme in Eswatini and the entire globe. He further elaborated that the government stood as witnesses of a programme that had changed lives and had contributed immensely to global peace.
“Since former U.S President JF Kennedy’s endorsement of the Peace Corp program through the signing of a legislation on September 22, 1961, we have witnessed the programme grow in leaps and bounds across all corners of the globe and indeed affirming President Kennedy’s declaration of Peace Corps promoting ‘world peace and friendship’,” said the PS.
Stewart dated back to when Peace Corps began working with the Government of Eswatini pointing out that even though the program closed down in 1996, the government was grateful that it returned in 2003 to assist with HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, working hand in hand with rural communities across the country.
“Through an agreement between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the United States, I am told that to date, 1 859 volunteers have served in Eswatini, joining some 240 000 who have served around the globe. These volunteers come from every corner of the USA, and they have served in every corner of Eswatini, touching the lives of thousands here and abroad.
“Remarkably, the 35 emaSwati currently employed by Peace Corps provide such high-quality on going language, cultural and technical training as well as supervision to volunteers that most volunteers end up being fluent in SiSwati, experts in our cultural practices and HIV prevention experts as well. For that, I would like to acknowledge the Peace Corps staff for their expert training. If this precedence holds, they will use this knowledge and experience in some capacity for the rest of their lives,” said the PS.
Stewart commended the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Training, as well as partner organisations for working alongside Peace Corps as the implementing and collaborative partners to ensure the success of the Peace Corps programme in Eswatini.
He finally welcomed the first volunteers back after 977 days without them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are many achievements waiting to be accomplished in this country that I am proud to call my home. It will take a bit from all of us to make the strides we know can be made. But one thing I am sure of is that achievements are always a group effort, they take both time and a great deal of work.
“And so I leave you all with the words of a great African leader, Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, who aptly said ‘It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference’. Together, as partners, we can make that difference. With these remarks, I wish to welcome our new and returning Peace Corp volunteers and wish them a fruitful stay in the Kingdom of Eswatini,” said the PS.
The Peace Corps Country Director, Katharine Kreis, who was also in attendance of this ceremony, expressed that she was humbled by the recognition that it was only through the dedication of people like the volunteers as well as countless community members, partners, families, friends, mentors and teachers that they could collectively make a revised Peace Corps a reality.
She further expressed words of encouragement towards the 11 volunteers, stating that they should be eager to learn from emaSwati.
“When in doubt, remember that emaSwati are your greatest resource, learn from their wisdom. Learn how they cook, how they educate their children, how they make decisions and how they prioritize those decisions. Yes, you came to Peace Corps to offer assistance, but you will undoubtedly find throughout your service that you will learn more than you teach and you will receive more than you give,” said Kreis.
Courtesy Pics of the Eswatini Government Social Media.
