71 Americans sworn-in as Peace Corps Volunteers

United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. administered the oath to 71 American Peace Corps Volunteers at the United States Embassy in Manila on September 18, 2013.  Returned Peace Corps Volunteers-- currently living and working in the Philippines, representatives from the national and local governments, non-government agencies, and senior U.S. Embassy staff attended the ceremony.

The Peace Corps program in the Philippines has a long and rich history as the Philippines was the second nation chosen to receive volunteers.  Since the program was established in 1961, more than 8,500 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Philippines.  It is a true partnership between the people and government of Philippines and the United States. The new Volunteers have undergone 10 weeks of comprehensive cross-cultural, language, and technical training to prepare them for their work in the Philippines.  A day after the ceremony, the new Volunteers traveled to their local communities where they will complete 24 months of service to become part of Peace Corps’ proud tradition of helping make the world a better place.