Peace Corps Return to Sierra Leone
In an elaborate and well planned ceremony commemorating the return of the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone held at the Peace Corps Coverdell Headquarters in Washington, D.C., members of the Sierra Leone Embassy staff headed by the Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Ibrahim Conteh, Mrs. Stevens, wife of His Excellency, Bockarie Stevens, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the U.S., and a host of dignitaries, Sierra Leoneans and Americans witnessed the occasion.
In his opening remarks, former Peace Corp volunteer who later became an Ambassador to Sierra Leone and a member of Friends of Sierra Leone, Ambassador Thomas Hull recalled how receptive and hospitable the people of Sierra Leone are. He admonished the 34 Peace Corps volunteers who are due in Sierra Leone in July 2010, to be ready to face the challenges of a new generation that is recovering from 11 years of civil war. However, Ambassador Hull said, “with perseverance and good reputation the volunteers endeavor will pay off.Â
It can be recalled that the Peace Corps left Sierra Leone in 1994 at the peak of the civil war which devastated the country.  Since 1960, when President John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries, more than 182,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 countries all over the globe and Sierra Leone has been one of the country that benefited from this great humanitarian service since 1962.
The Deputy Ambassador of Sierra Leone, Mr. Ibrahim Conteh on behalf of Ambassador Bockarie Stevens, paid homage to President Kennedy whose vision to promote world peace and friendship led to the establishment in March, 1961 of the peace Corp program. The Deputy Ambassador said this unique human experiment engendered by President Kennedy in human history for nearly half a century has stood the test of time. He recalled President Kennedy’s days in power as been a period of boundless energy, optimism, renewal and hope; a period which gave hope to the newly independent states in Africa of their hard won freedom which was irreversible. Indeed, the Deputy Ambassador reiterated, it was a period to remember where everything seemed possible.Â
To the Peace Corp Volunteers who are due in Sierra Leone shortly, he encouraged them that they are going to country that is grateful with cherished memories of the good work of their predecessors that made a worthy contribution to the cause of nation building of an independent Sierra Leone. Furthermore, he admonished the Peace Corps volunteers that they will be arriving in a post conflict country ravaged by 11-year brutal civil war. However, he said the war has ended about a decade ago and with the resilience of the people of Sierra Leone coupled with the assistance of developmental partners and the international community, Sierra Leoneans are able to rise up to the challenges and restore back the country from the doldrums.
With optimism, the Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Ibrahim Conteh encouraged the Peace Corps Volunteers that he has no doubt that with endurance, dedication, patience, understanding and hard work which characterize the Peace Corps, Sierra Leoneans remain confident that they will be successful in their endeavors and will ultimately become partners with Sierra Leone in order to put the country back to sustainable development, thereby bringing to fruition President Ernest Koroma’s vision of development as encapsulated in his agenda for change.Â
In his final remarks, Deputy Ambassador Ibrahim Conteh assured the Peace Corps volunteers that Sierra Leone is peaceful and that a rousing welcome awaits all of them and the people of Sierra Leone will do everything possible to make their stay fruitful and memorable as their predecessors.
The occasion was climaxed by a reception with delicacies and dishes from Sierra Leone and USA and interaction with staff of the Peace Corps and the new Peace Corps volunteers slated for Sierra Leone who are very enthusiastic and ready for an adventure of the new host country.
Joseph Seidu Sherman, Washington, DC-USAStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
