U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William Heidt will swear in 71 Americans as members of the eleventh cohort of Peace Corps Cambodia volunteers during a special ceremony 9 a.m. Friday, September 15, 2017, at the Himawari Hotel in Phnom Penh. The swearing-in ceremony for the newest group of Peace Corps volunteers coincides with the 11th anniversary celebration of Peace Corps in Cambodia. Two Peace Corps volunteers will be available to speak with members of the media after the swearing-in-ceremony.

After two months of intensive language, culture and technical training, Peace Corps Volunteers live with host families in the rural villages and communities where they work for two years. Living with a family helps volunteers integrate into the community, study local culture and traditions, and learn to speak Khmer.

Since 2006, more than 500 Peace Corps volunteers have served and worked in Cambodia, providing English teaching and teacher training as well as community health education.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship. The goals of the Peace Corps are to build the capacity of men and women in interested countries and to promote mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.

The swearing in ceremony is open to members of the media. Media members wishing to cover the event are requested to arrive by 8:30 am.