US envoy passes out 42 education volunteers

By Chris Kiwawulo                          

The US envoy to Uganda, Scott H. DeLisi, has passed out 42 Peace Corps who will offer free services in a bid to improve primary and secondary education as well as teacher training in the country.

DeLisi presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the 42 education volunteers at his residence in Kampala on Wednesday, according to a statement from the US embassy in Kampala.  

The swearing-in ceremony was the culmination of eleven weeks of training for the 42 Peace Corps volunteers who received technical school-based training at Shimoni Core Primary Teachers College and Kira town council primary School in Wakiso district.

“This newest group of Peace Corps Volunteer Literacy Specialists brings the total number of Peace Corps education volunteers serving in Uganda to 83.  Five of the new volunteers hold doctoral degrees.  In total, there are 166 Peace Corps volunteers serving in the sectors of community health, agriculture and business development, secondary education, primary education, and teacher training,” the embassy stated.

The volunteers, who were hosted by Ugandan families for four weeks to learn about local cultures and languages and share their American culture, have since traveled to their volunteer sites in various corners of Uganda.   

"For Americans and our partners around the world, the Peace Corps represent the highest ideals of volunteerism and service.  I am honored to have the privilege of swearing in our new education volunteers today and I thank all of you for your commitment to service and your desire to help make the world a bit better every day," Ambassador DeLisi was quoted as saying during his welcoming remarks.

Peace Corps education volunteers serve in primary, secondary, and teacher training schools throughout Uganda.  Through the Peace Corps Uganda Primary Literacy Project, they work hand-in-hand with Ugandan teachers to learn and share teaching methodologies that help tap the potential of one of Uganda’s most precious resources – the children.