BISHKEK (TCA) — 25 years ago, on 8th June 1993 the first group of 20 US Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Kyrgyzstan with a mission of peace, friendship and development. Since that time, more than 1,100 Peace Corps Volunteers have helped over 100,000 people learn English, develop management and leadership skills, engage in community projects and build healthy lifestyles. These Volunteers helped strengthen community participation by teaching teachers advanced teaching methods and promoting critical thinking, leadership, project planning and implementation, gender education, computers and Internet technology, Peace Corps–Kyrgyz Republic said.
Peace Corps Volunteers are committed to grassroots development by working and living hand-in-hand with local people. They work as teachers, business advisors, information and technology consultants, as well as youth development specialists. They are committed to integrating themselves into the culture of the country, as well as participate in the community designed development and service projects. All Volunteers serve at the invitation of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic and work in partnership with a host agency – mainly at schools.
Today, over 70 Volunteers work side by side with local counterparts across the country to support the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic on the way towards achieving the forth Sustainable Development Goal – “Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.”
Peace Corps Volunteers work as teachers and teacher-trainers to strengthen methodologies and to promote the exchange of information on effective teaching methods; provide assistance to their schools and communities in establishing or expanding English teaching resources, contributing to curriculum development, and production of innovative teaching materials.
“Peace Corps volunteers mainly work in the remote areas. They are providing support not only by teaching English to students, but also by developing capacities of English teachers, integrating 21st century skills and standards, as well as information technologies into teachers’ professional lives and the lives of students. Today, at this solid milestone – 25 years of successful cooperation, all the volunteers and staff of Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic are proud to share in the success of this beautiful country, its rich culture, and its aspirations to build a better future for all of its citizens,” said Robert Glover, Director of Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz republic.
The Peace Corps is an independent non-political and non-religious U.S. Government agency that provides Volunteers to countries requesting assistance around the world. It was officially established in 1961 by the President John F. Kennedy to promote world peace and friendship, and that mission has not changed.
