Eight Peace Corps Volunteers from the United States of America (US) have been sworn-in to start their volunteer work in Malawi.

This is the first cohort of volunteers to return to Malawi after an emergency evacuation three years ago following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony in Mchinji yesterday, United States Ambassador David Young said the coming in of the volunteers signifies the cordial relationship between the US and Malawi.

He said the volunteers completed 11 weeks of intensive training in a village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkanda in Mchinji and they will serve in Malawi for 24 months.

Young congratulates the volunteers

“Another set of volunteers will be coming in soon. We are excited. This is a sign of a good partnership between the two countries,” said Young.

The volunteers, working in the Environment, Health and Education sectors, were hosted by local families in the communities during the training.

Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud hailed the US Government for the peace corps, saying they will help fill the gap in the three sectors.

She said: “We look forward to these and future health sector volunteers supporting initiatives and efforts to help mitigate the possibilities of similar health crises that challenge countries around the world.”

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corps partnership with the Republic of Malawi.

In 1963, the Government of Malawi requested the support of the Peace Corps and, since then, over 3 000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in the country

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