63 US VOLUNTEERS TO WORK IN RURAL COMMUNITIES (BACK PAGE)

Sixty-three Peace Corps volunteers who have successfully undergone a 10-week orientation, have been posted to serve in rural communities and selected schools.
The volunteers, comprising teaching and development groups, were trained in education, water and sanitation, health and small enterprise development and also studied various aspects of the country’s culture.
The teaching group has been posted to some selected basic schools, second-cycle institutions and special schools for the deaf to teach subjects such as mathematics, English, science, art and information and communication technology (ICT) for two years.
The development group has also been attached to institutions to assist in the areas of environment, health, water and sanitation and small enterprises development.
Addressing the closing session of the training programme, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum, reminded the volunteers that the Peace Corps programme was very dear to the US, a gesture that was amply demonstrated when President Barack Obama visited the country recently.
He, therefore, advised the volunteers to make every effort to impact positively on the lives of the pupils and students they would teach as well as the entire communities.
Such commitment, he said, would help to maintain the positive legacy that over 4,000 predecessors had left in the country in the last 48 years.
According to him, Ghanaians appreciate the positive influence many Peace Corps volunteers have made in their lives, adding, “I am sure you too will have that kind of lasting impact on your students and communities.”
He added, “Always remember your work is important; even if you cannot see the change immediately. Your success and satisfaction will flow from the deep commitment and abiding respect you have for your students, counterparts and your communities.”
Ambassador Teitelbaum advised the volunteers to live above reproach and not to allow themselves to be carried away beyond their mission, warning that “if you are to be found wanton you may find your way out sooner than you think”.
He particularly urged the volunteers to treat the people they would come into contact with, with respect, especially the elderly, adding that “do not equate one’s inability to read and write with stupidity”.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, acknowledged that the activities of the Peace Corps in Ghana had had profound impact on the lives of the people including many people in responsible positions whose lives had been influenced by the volunteers.
“This positive impact is due to the hardworking nature of Peace Corps volunteers and their willingness to live and work under unfavourable conditions in rural communities across the country,” he stated.
He, however, reminded them to be mindful of the cultural differences that existed between the two countries and endeavour to live above reproach to enable them to become role models to the beneficiary communities.