Two-Year Commitment to Serving Local Communities

Since 1993, nearly 1,700 American volunteers have served in Madagascar in the fields of education, health, and agriculture, living within local communities, learning the language, and integrating into the culture to promote peace and friendship.

On November 14, 2025, twenty new volunteers took their oath under the supervision of the U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar and the Comoros, Claire Pierangelo. This 61st group begins a two-year service after eleven weeks of intensive training.

The preparation covered several essential aspects. The volunteers participated in sessions on teaching English, classroom management, and strengthening their teaching skills. These participants also studied maternal and child health as well as sustainable agricultural techniques. Intercultural sessions deepened their understanding of local communities and fostered their integration. Each volunteer learned the Malagasy dialect corresponding to their assigned region, facilitating communication with the local population.

The deployment will cover five regions of the country. In education, the volunteers will teach in middle and high schools, share their teaching methods with local teachers, and organize extracurricular activities to raise students’ awareness of their community and their future role. In agriculture, the group will support farmers in adopting sustainable practices, offer cooking demonstrations, and assist in the creation of family vegetable gardens. The health workers will conduct awareness campaigns on vaccination, hygiene, water and food sanitation, and maternal and child health.

Ambassador Pierangelo emphasized the importance of the program, noting that the Peace Corps strengthens the ties between Madagascar and the United States. For his part, Acting Country Director David Solomon encouraged the group to build relationships with local communities, share their knowledge on a daily basis, and embody cooperation and solidarity.

Since its creation in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has mobilized more than 240,000 participants in 142 countries. Today, more than 3,100 personnel work in 60 countries alongside local communities, contributing to mutual understanding, cooperation, and lasting impacts on local development.