By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- Last week saw the swearing-in of the 92nd cohort of Peace Corps Lesotho Volunteers. The event, which celebrated 57 years of Peace Corps partnership in Lesotho, witnessed the ushering in of 25 Volunteers take the oath to serve in education and health across eight districts.
The volunteers have embarked on their two-year journey and will be deployed to various communities across the country.
The Country Director for Peace Corps Lesotho, Randa Wilkinson said since the country invited the first cohort of Peace Corps after its independence, 2 685 volunteers have served Lesotho.
“They have collaborated closely with their Basotho counterparts in education both primary and secondary education, health, community and economic development, agriculture and environmental initiatives,” she said.
Wilkinson said these volunteers hail from diverse backgrounds in the United States from Louisiana, California to New York adding that they bring with them their skills and competences to serve Basotho.
She said one of them has conducted research using a telescope to study stars and planets, while another has been featured in a documentary at an art gallery in the United States. The other volunteer holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management.
The Country Director mentioned that while they are all uniquely qualified, they share the same value which is one of service. “As education and health specialists, these volunteers will empower young people by increasing their numeracy and literacy skills in the classrooms, by promoting central life skills and collaborating with their Basotho patterns to prevent HIV.”
She further highlighted that these incoming volunteers will support local communities to address climate change.
Swearing-in the United States Embassy Acting Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Hines said the Peace Corps volunteers engage in a wide range of programmes including those that equip the youth with lifeskills, HIV awareness and health knowledge “As volunteers take their places in the communities, they will support numeracy and literacy and education initiatives that will shape a brighter future for young Basotho.”
Hines showed that the volunteers embody the bond of friendship between the two countries, contributing to a shared vision of collaboration and mutual progress. Their efforts highlighted that they reflect a commitment to strengthening ties and promoting cooperation.
The Peace Corps is an independent agency of the United States government that sends American volunteers to assist developing countries. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, its mission is to promote world peace and friendship.
Volunteers work in areas such as education, health, agriculture, and community development, collaborating with local communities to address their specific needs. They undergo training to learn the local language and culture, enabling them to integrate into their host communities.
A Peace Corps volunteer who will be serving in the health category, Morgan Hartman said they have learned the Basotho ways of living and lauded their host families of Ha-Senekane where they were welcomed to different Basotho families to learn the language, culture and norms of Basotho ahead of undertaking their volunteering duties.
She expressed readiness to interact with the Basotho communities in different districts.
Hartman stated that they are looking forward to forging relations with the Basotho whom they will be serving.
She wished all Peace Corps volunteers the very best in their two-year journey of service. She expressed her commitment to walking this journey alongside them, supporting and helping one another along the way.
She emphasised the dedication required for serving and pledged to be there for each other throughout the experience.
Daniel Mertzeger who will be serving in the education category said they take pride in serving the country whose leadership is committed to fighting the HIV/AIDS stigma.
He said he hopes the two years they will spend in Lesotho will be meaningful.
Speaking at the ceremony, His Majesty King Letsie III expressed gratitude that Basotho have enjoyed for almost 60 years saying the journey has been very “transformative”.
He commended the contribution of the Peace Corps and those of the previous cohorts have transformed many Basotho communities.
Addressing the volunteers, the King praised them and charged them: “From every corner of the country, I want to thank the Peace Corps; I want to thank the Peace Corps volunteers for their selfless and wonderful contribution and support they have rendered to our nation over the years.
“Thank you for volunteering, and thank you for your willingness to come to this far flung inner of the world and serve Basotho people. I am sure you know that you follow the footsteps of giants; those who have served before have served and represented the United States, represented the Peace Corps with honour and dignity, serving with dedication, diligence, kindness and compassion and this is what we expect from you to follow in that example.”