The United States Embassy in Lilongwe has sworn in 41 Peace Corps volunteers who have since been committed to health and environment sectors and shall work there over a period of about two years. Of the 41 volunteers, 19 have been assigned to the health sector while 22 have been assigned to the environment sector, based on their areas of specialty.
US Ambassador Virginia Palmer, who presided over the ceremony at her Lilongwe residence yesterday, said the Peace Corps team has been taught how to live in a Malawian rural set-up where they are expected to work and leave a positive mark.
Director of health services in the Ministry of Health, Charles Mwansambo, said the coming in of the volunteers will drastically address the acute shortage of health personnel.
On his part, director of forestry in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Clement Chilima, said the volunteers have come at a time when there is growing need to address challenges which have led to environmental degradation.
