A cohort of twenty U.S. Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in Moldova two months ago to live in the country’s communities and teach English and Health Education in schools for two years were sworn in on Friday.

Before being sworn in, they completed a 10-week training that included Romanian language basics, while simultaneously discovering the culture, history and people of Moldova.

The volunteers promised to carry out their mission with an open heart and overcome the challenges they will face with calmness, humanness and determination.

Officiating at the swearing-in ceremony, Nina Maria Fite, acting U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Moldova, said that these volunteers come to Moldova not only with ideas, energy and the best intentions, but most importantly, they come with the desire to listen and to learn. “The Peace Corps is essentially a cross-cultural exchange program, providing the opportunity for two countries and two peoples to learn new things from each other”, said the American diplomat.

Sara Chesters, director of the Peace Corps Moldova, said that the presence of volunteers is a confirmation of the extraordinary friendship and partnership between the Peace Corps and Moldova, which began in 1993 and continues to strengthen every year.

Marcelina Baleca, department head at the Ministry of Education and Research,  mentioned the effort of more than 1300 volunteers who shared with the citizens, students and teachers of Moldova what democratic values ​​mean. “Don’t be afraid of challenges, don’t be afraid of problems. You are so strong to find a solution to every problem and open your hearts to all citizens of the Republic of Moldova, and we encourage you to do this”.

The volunteers will live in host families and will serve Moldovan communities, teaching English and promoting health education in schools. They will also work to strengthen organizational capacities and develop the host communities.