Bereng Mpaki
THE United States (US) Peace Corps Volunteers are set to resume services in Lesotho later this year after the 2020 suspension of their programme due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was confirmed by the new US Ambassador to Lesotho, Maria Brewer, after she presented her credentials to His Majesty King Letsie III.
Ambassador Brewer was nominated by US president, Joe Biden, last year to replace Ambassador Rebecca Gonzales. She was subsequently confirmed by the US Senate on 18 December 2021.
Under the Peace Corps initiative, Americans with a passion for foreign service are sent abroad on behalf of the US to work with communities for lasting change.
The volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, the environment and youth development.
To date, Lesotho has received more than 2600 Americans who have served alongside communities across the country since 1967.
The Peace Corps was established in 1961, and since then more than 235 000 Americans of different ages have served in 141 countries worldwide.
“The United States is fortunate to count Lesotho as a firm friend, as demonstrated in a variety of close, people to people relationships,” Ambassador Brewer said.
“An extraordinary example exists in our 54-year Peace Corps presence across the mountain Kingdom. Although it was temporarily curtailed by Covid-19, we are excited about the prospect of volunteers returning to communities later this year.”
The ambassador also commended Lesotho’s efforts towards combating human trafficking.
“I would also like to highlight the important progress the government of Lesotho is making related to human trafficking, and the supportive role the US has played. Ultimately, ending modern slavery secures a most basic human right, the right to be free. Hard work remains, but I am certain achieving these important reforms is possible.”
Ambassador Brewer also affirmed the US’ support for Lesotho’s economic development.
“We support the development of Lesotho’s economy and the ability of all Basotho to participate and benefit from it. In this, our partnership enjoys a wide range of programmes.
“These include the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, better known as AGOA, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
“Both programmes have demonstrated the power of our partnership to bring real economic gains across the kingdom. We join you in committing to see those gains continue and expand.”
Before her assignment to Lesotho, Ms Brewer had served as her country’s ambassador to Sierra Leone from 2017 to 2021.
She previously served as the deputy director in the Office of Career Development and Assignments for the US State Department; as the Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria; and as a leader of the management team at the US Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Earlier in her career, Ambassador Brewer served as the management officer at the US Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and management officer at the US Consulate General in Mumbai, India. She was also deputy executive director and supervisory post management officer in the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs; Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Management; and Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration.
