Philippine-American Friendship Week sees arrival of 72 New Peace Corps volunteers

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 13): Philippine-American Friendship Week sees arrival of 72 New Peace Corps volunteers

A total of 72 new U.S. Peace Corps volunteers who arrived on Sunday, July 3, now joined the nearly 9,000 Americans who have served as Peace Corps contingent in the Philippines since 1961, according to the US Embassy in Manila.

 In an email to this writer, the Information Office of the US Embassy stated that the new U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers will work anew side-by-side with Filipinos to address community-based needs and engage in cross-cultural learning and living.

The Philippines is the second oldest Peace Corps program.

Inspired by President John F. Kennedy, the goal of the U.S. Peace Corps is to promote world peace and friendship between the U.S. and the nations we serve. 

Following their arrival, the volunteers will immediately undergo at least 10 weeks of intensive pre-service training that includes technical, language, and cultural studies to prepare them for their service.

The volunteers will be assigned to work for a period of two years in communities throughout the Philippines in the fields of education, youth development and environment in partnership with the Department of Education, the Department of Welfare and Social Development, local government units and local non-governmental organizations.

The new volunteers range in age from 21 to 68, and bring a variety of experience and technical skills, as well as a spirited enthusiasm to learn about the Philippines. 

 http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3211468395697/philippine-american-friendship-week-sees-arrival-of-72-new-peace-corps-volunteers