Africa-Press – Botswana. United States Ambassador to Botswana says Peace Corps volunteers’ work will help strengthen capacity, support innovation and foster sustainable growth.
Speaking at a ceremony in Gaborone on Wednesday where five new volunteers were sworn in while seven were pledged from Mozambique, Mr Howard Van Vranken said as volunteers. They brought valuable skills and experience. He said they would be working closely with local entrepreneurs, communities, and civil service organisations across the country over the next year. Therefore, he encouraged them to foster respect and understanding in the relationships they were going to build. He encouraged them to listen, learn, approach the experience with patience, curiosity, and humility as well as to always return home with experience. “Botswana is a beautiful country with a rich culture and a strong sense of community. I know you will find your time here both challenging and deeply rewarding,” he said.
For new Peace Corps volunteer, Kathleen Daly, a strategic, digital and marketing expert whose 30 plus years of experience included leading business teams at companies that include Google, NIKE, and Coca-Cola, this experience will be an opportunity to share her expertise to her assigned local community. “I’ll be working in a non-profit organisation in the Ghanzi District, helping young people and women to develop basic entrepreneurial skills, and teach them more about finance, accounting and marketing,” she said.
Ms Daly said her Setswana was not perfect yet, but the reception she got upon her arrival to Botswana was exceptional. Peace Corps Response Volunteers are experienced professionals undertaking short term and high impact assignments. They are expected to contribute to the Community Economic Development Project, support local entrepreneurs, cooperatives, community organisations, along with vocational education and training institutions by providing essential technical expertise to enhance economic growth and sustainability.
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