By Sariba Manneh
Four Peace Corps volunteers were sworn in on Wednesday to serve in the education sector, at a ceremony held at the Massembeh training center. The scheme is part of a project meant to complement the government’s efforts to enhance the education sector.
The four volunteers are William, Marissa, Scott, and Iyana, and they will serve in the North Bank and the North and South banks of the Central River regions.
Under the theme of improving the literacy and numeracy sector-education project (2020-2027), Peace Corps, intends to work closely with local institutions and government institutions particularly the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and affiliated local and international organizations that support service delivery in the education sector of the country.
Siiri Morley, the Peace Corps country director said they are ready to continue building on their successes and meet the needs of more communities throughout the country.
“Our dream is to have over 115 Peace Corps volunteers in the country again, to support communities throughout this beautiful country, and to focus on education, health, agriculture, and the environment,” she said. “We have faced hard times both in the United States and in The Gambia over the last few years. Yet we are still here, building back,” adding that they are standing together, and working with love and determination to invest in a better world for all.
Sharon Cromer, US Ambassador to The Gambia, called on the volunteers to be more proactive in their respective posts and make a difference.
“You are change agents. You can decide to develop relationships and explore ways in which to make your community a healthier and more productive place. I can count on you to help us reach the US and Gambian goals of improving education and expanding literacy across this beautiful country,” Ambassador Cromer said, stating that as Peace Corps volunteers, there are two things they can be sure of; first they will be loved and remembered for how they make people feel. She added that more than 1,800 Peace Corps volunteers have served in The Gambia, since the program was established in 1967.
“Since 1961, the Peace Corps has been a leader in international development and citizens diplomacy in 140 countries around the world. Globally, more than 220,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps,” Ms Cromer said.
Prof. Pierre Gomez, the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, said Peace Corps volunteers in the education sector contribute to the improvement of teaching and learning in Schools.
“Peace Corps education project seeks to improve early literacy, numeracy foundational learning, capacity building for teachers to improve teaching and increase the learning outcomes of students. We all appreciate their importance and the sustainable goals that we have set ourselves to achieve as a country,” he said; adding that the project is relevant and addresses priorities of her Ministry and that of the government of the Gambia, as well as the Sustainable Development Goal 4. Prof. Gomez urged the volunteers to explore as much of it as they can.
