2002 Press Releases

Peace Corps Volunteers Sworn in to Begin Work in Turkmenistan

Nov. 6, 2002

Forty-eight new Peace Corps volunteers were sworn in today in Ashgabat by Director of the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan Sharon Sugarek to begin their two-year service in Turkmenistan. Ambassador of the United States Laura E. Kennedy welcomed the new volunteers in her remarks at the ceremony. The Peace Corps resumes its full-scale operations in Turkmenistan after the withdrawal of its volunteers from the region in September 2001. Seven of the volunteers who left Turkmenistan then returned in April to finish up their two-year term in the country.

Newly arrived Peace Corps volunteers will work in all five welayats of Turkmenistan; only three of them will serve in Ashgabat. Twenty-nine Education Volunteers will teach English while working with a local teacher. They plan to conduct seminars on English teaching methods. Community Health Volunteers will work with the Ministry of Health to provide training in healthy lifestyles, reproductive health, and nutrition. Business volunteers will teach business English, assist in developing successful business methods, and provide training and consultation for small entrepreneurs.

The Peace Corps came to Turkmenistan in 1993. Since then around 300 volunteers have served here. The mission of the Peace Corps is to help interested countries meet the need for skilled professional men and women and to promote better mutual understanding between American and foreign citizens.