On 8 Aug., KWNExecutive Director Igballe Rogova spoke to approximately 20 Peace Corps volunteers about the position of women in Kosovo. The volunteers are the first-ever group to volunteer in Kosovo. They underwent a three-month comprehensive cross-cultural, language and technical training before leaving for their specific regions across the country to teach English in primary schools.
“On behalf of our U.S. Mission, I am proud to support Peace Corps in opening its newest post here in Kosovo,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo Tracey Jacobson. “We are excited by the prospect of volunteers working with Kosovo’s citizens and making significant contributions to communities throughout the country. The friendships they make will serve the people of Kosovo and the United States for years to come.”
The Peace CorpsProgram in Kosovo was launched on 9 Sep. 2013 with an official signing ceremony at the Office of the President in Pristina. The Program was invited to start its work by Atifete Jahjaga, President of Kosovo,who signed the agreement along with Helen Lowman, Peace Corps former Regional Director and current Associate Director of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection.
“With the great support of USAID and the U.S. Department of State, the Peace Corps looks forward to establishing a vibrant and enduring program in Kosovo,” Lowman said following the signing ceremony.
Upon signing this agreement, Kosovo became the Peace Corps’ 140th country of service since its establishment in 1961. It is also the organization’s first entry into a new country since opening a program in Cambodia in 2007. Peace Corps staff visited Kosovo after the agreement was signed and worked together with Kosovo’s government to identify the local communities that would be best served by the agency’s volunteers.
On 20 August President Jahjagawelcomed Peace Corps volunteers .
Peace Corps volunteers are also encouraged to participate in community and school-based projects. This offers opportunities to share experiences, exchange skills and knowledge and establish increased understanding between volunteers and their host communities. The Peace Corps approach is built on the importance of people-to-people, grassroots exchange of ideas.
Since its founding by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have volunteered across the globe. The Peace Corps’ mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three main goals: help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; help promote a better understanding of Americans by the peoples served; and help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Currently, volunteers are working in local communities in the focus areas of agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth development.
