Niël Terblanché
In a ceremony at the Peace Corps Training Center in Okahandja, 30 Peace Corps Trainees were officially sworn in to commence their two-year service as Economic Empowerment and Community Health HIV/AIDS Volunteers across Namibia.
The event held on Thursday was attended by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, the United States Ambassador to Namibia, Randy Berry, and Peace Corps Country Director, Dr Elizabeth Anderson.
Ambassador Berry reiterated the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Namibia.
“The U.S.-Namibia partnership is built upon a foundation of meaningful people-to-people relationships and forged in shared values including democracy, rule of law, and human rights. Peace Corps is a significant part of the overall U.S. presence in Namibia and is an important cornerstone of our friendship,” he said.
This cohort of volunteers is the 53rd group to serve in Namibia since the Peace Corps inception in the country in 1990.
Berry said they arrived on August 28th and have completed an intensive 12-week Pre-Service Training.
He added that the training encompassed hands-on learning experiences, including collaboration with the Okahandja community to apply Participatory Analysis for Community Action (PACA) tools, aimed at creating effective partnerships between trainees and their host communities.
The program also provided in-depth technical training, insights into Namibia’s health and economic sectors, current HIV/AIDS interventions, and intercultural sessions to enhance understanding of local cultures.
Each trainee acquired proficiency in one of Namibia’s local languages: Afrikaans, Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Rukwangali, or Silozi.
The Peace Corps’ presence in Namibia began at the invitation of the Namibian government in 1990, shortly after the country gained independence.
Initially, 14 education Volunteers were deployed to support the nation’s transition from Afrikaans to English as the official language in schools.
Over the years, the program expanded to include health initiatives in 2004 and community economic development in 2010.
To date, more than 1 800 volunteers have served in Namibia, working in sectors such as education, health, and economic development.
Berry said the volunteers immerse themselves in local communities, learn indigenous languages, and integrate into the culture to promote world peace and friendship.
Their efforts focus on locally prioritized projects that build relationships, facilitate knowledge exchange, and create lasting, measurable impacts.
The global COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the evacuation of all 126 volunteers serving throughout Namibia as the country entered lockdown.
With the induction of the new volunteers, the Peace Corps now has 60 individuals serving in all regions of the country, from Lüderitz to Katima Mulilo.
The arrival of this group of Americans signifies a renewed commitment by the United States to collaborate with Namibians in addressing challenges related to economic empowerment and critical healthcare issues in both rural and urban areas.
Their integration into local communities is expected to bolster ongoing efforts to enhance economic opportunities and improve health outcomes, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
As these volunteers embark on their service, they carry forward a legacy of collaboration and mutual respect that has defined the Peace Corps mission in Namibia for over three decades.
Their dedication to creating sustainable development and cultural exchange continues to strengthen the bonds between the two nations, contributing to a shared vision of progress and prosperity.
