Speaking at the swearing in ceremony in Lilongwe United States Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer said this has been an exciting development from both countries sharing culture and skills.

She said over the years Peace Corps volunteers have left a mark in peoples’ lives in most communities.

Virginia Palmer said these volunteers will help to address some challenges faced in communities in areas of health and environment while they learn Malawian culture.

The Ambassador however pointed out that Peace Corps volunteers do not go to community as people who know everything but rather skilled workers who would want to help people and learn from them.

She said peace corps is about people coming together in friendship and mutual respect to solve very difficult problems and learn about each other.

“it is about testing ourselves and realizing that together- we can achieve more than we dreamed was possible” said Ambassador Palmer.

And Chief of health services in the ministry of health Dr Charles Mwansambo said these volunteers have come at a right time when the ministry is looking for different skills in health sector who can work in remote areas of the country.

Dr Mwansambo added that it was imperative that United States embassy under Peace Corps department worked together with the ministry officials to identify places where skills of the 19 volunteers were needed most.

Dr Clement Salima represented the ministry of natural Resources, energy and mining where 22 Peace Corps volunteers will be going to work in the Forestry and Parks wildlife departments.

Since the establishment of Peace Corps volunteers programs in Malawi in 1963, more than 2800 volunteers have served in the country. Currently 131 volunteers serve in Malawi working in areas of Education, Environment and Health