Jordan Times
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Peace Corps director arrives today
AMMAN (JT) — On his first overseas trip,
newly-appointed Peace Corps Director Ronald Tschetter arrives in Amman today on
a five-day working visit to the Kingdom.
Tschetter is expected to meet His Majesty King Abdullah, hold consultations with
government officials and observe Peace Corps volunteers at work, according to a
statement released by the American embassy in Amman.
The Peace Corps is an independent federal agency of the United States designed
to promote understanding between Americans and other peoples of the world.
At the invitation of Jordan, the Peace Corps began service in the country in
1997. Since then, more than 300 Peace Corps volunteers have supported Jordan’s
own efforts in the areas of community and youth development, microenterprise
development for women, environmental management and awareness, and teaching
English as a foreign language, the statement said.
Volunteers also participate in special education programmes designed for the
physically and mentally challenged.
Since 1961, more than 182,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 138
countries, working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS
education, information technology, business development, the environment and
agriculture.
Peace Corps volunteers must be US citizens and at least 18 years of age. At the
invitation of host governments, the Peace Corps sends Americans who volunteer
for two-year assignments to help countless individuals worldwide who want to
build a better life for themselves, their children and their communities. Today,
more than 7,800 volunteers are currently serving in 75 countries, including
Jordan.
Tschetter, who was sworn in as the 17th director of the Peace Corps on September
26, and his wife, Nancy, served as Peace Corps volunteers from 1966-68 in India
as community health workers. After returning home from India, Tschetter worked
in the financial securities industry for over 30 years, gaining strong
management and leadership skills throughout his distinguished career.
Tschetter holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social studies from Bethel
College in St. Paul, Minnesota.