Today in Charentsavan (Armenia) U.S. Peace Corps Armenia conducted a swearing-in ceremony for the seventeenth group of volunteers serving in Armenia. U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch presided over the ceremony, which has become an annual event. During the event, 44 Peace Corps Trainees demonstrated their knowledge of Armenian language and culture learned during their training program. They performed Armenian songs and shared their experiences with their host families during these first weeks.

Before moving to their permanent sites, Peace Corps volunteers completed eleven weeks of Armenian language, cultural, technical, and safety and security training to prepare them for two years of service in towns and villages throughout Armenia. Volunteers will collaborate with Armenian counterpart organizations in the areas of English language education, business and community development, health education, and environmental education.

Peace Corps Armenia was established in 1992 at the invitation of the Government of Armenia. Since that time, more then 600 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Armenia. With the addition of this new group, there will be total of 80 volunteers working in schools, universities, NGOs, and health facilities throughout Armenia.