Peace Corps/Mongolia Welcomes Largest Training Class in History

On Wednesday June 6th U.S. Ambassador Pamela Slutz and Peace Corps/Mongolia country director Ken Goodson welcomed 57 new Peace Corps Volunteers to Mongolia.  The group, the 17th of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in Mongolia, arrived from Los Angeles on June 5th and is here to complete two years of service in communities throughout Mongolia. 

Peace Corps Volunteers are American citizens who share technical skills and knowledge to promote community identified development needs.  Additionally, Peace Corps Volunteers, promote cross cultural understanding by sharing American culture and learning about Mongolian culture so as to educate American citizens about Mongolia.  The Peace Corps is a U.S. government program established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to promote world peace and prosperity.

Meeting with the new arrivals at the Chingissin Khuree ger camp along, Ambassador Slutz told the group that they in fact will serve as "informal Ambassadors" of the United States.
"For many Mongolians, you will be their first contact with a foreigner or their first real contact with an American citizen.  Take this responsibility seriously as you make Mongolian friends and serve the Mongolian people."

Additionally Ambassador Slutz highlighted the rich history of the Peace Corps program in Mongolia.  "Over 550 Peace Corps Volunteers have come before you and have done an excellent job.  You now become a part of this history at a time when the interest in the work of the Peace Corps in Mongolia is at a historic high."

The Mongolian government requested the establishment of a Peace Corps program in 1990 and Peace Corps officially opened operations in 1991.  Peace Corps has provided Volunteers in English Education, Health Education, Computer Skills Development, Environmental Education, Small Business Development and Youth Development.  Volunteers have served in every aimag, with a focus on rural populations, soums and underserved communities. 

In 2005 the Mongolian government requested that the Peace Corps provide a significant increase of Volunteers to serve in the country.  The new training class responds directly to this request by providing the largest single training class in Peace Corps/Mongolia's 15 year history.  Additionally with 41 new arrivals in Peace Corps' English Education program, responds to the Mongolian government's desire for increased Peace Corps support in making English the official second language of Mongolia.

The new arrivals are now off to Darkhan where they will complete 11 weeks of training in Mongolian language prior to beginning their service in communities around the country.