LUSAKA – On June 5, the U.S. government through Peace Corps Zambia welcomed and swore into service 11 new Volunteers from the United States following 11 weeks of intensive training.
The Volunteers, who arrived in Zambia on March 19, completed rigorous pre-service training in technical skills, language, and multicultural knowledge. They will now live and work for two years in rural villages across Central, Southern, Northwestern, and Western provinces.
The new Volunteers will serve under two key initiatives: The Linking Income, Food, and Environment (LIFE) Project and the Rural Aquaculture Promotion (RAP) Project. LIFE Volunteers will work in collaboration with Zambia’s Forestry Department focusing on tree conservation and agricultural enhancement while partnering with smallholder rural farmers. These efforts aim to enhance agricultural practices and increase income while promoting environmental sustainability. RAP Volunteers will support the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and will assist smallholder rural farmers in achieving economic and food security through sustainable fish production.
The swearing-in ceremony featured several distinguished guests. Mr. Rainford Simumbwe, representing the Honorable Minister Eng. Collins Nzovu, MP from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, served as the guest of honor.
Other special guests included Mr. Daliso Mbewe representing Permanent Secretary Eng. Himba Cheelo from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Princess Cholwe Nkomeshya of Chongwe, Nkomeshya Chiefdom representing Her Royal Highness Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II; and His Royal Highness Chief Chamuka VI of the Lenje people. U.S. Embassy Zambia Chargé d’Affaires Linnisa Wahid officially administered the oath to the new Volunteers.
Peace Corps works in Zambia at the invitation of the Zambian government. Since the first Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in Zambia in 1994, over 2,400 volunteers have lived and worked in rural communities throughout the country. Zambia hosts the largest number of Peace Corps Volunteers in the world.
