Peace Corps officially closed in Kazakhstan

Official ceremony of closing the Peace Corps office in Kazakhstan has been held in the Academy of Science today, on February 17, Tengrinews.kz reports. Director of the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan Bob Cone told about the organization’s work in the country. Its main purpose was teaching English and aiding in development of small business. According to Cone, the volunteers compare their work to riding roller-coasters: there were rises and falls in the last 18 years. U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Kenneth J. Fairfax thanked Kazakhstan citizens for their help in the organization’s work in Kazakhstan. Seth Fearey, Director of Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan, read the letter of Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams who thanked Kazakhstan government, the ministries and U.S. Embassies in Almaty and Astana for their support. Director of Peace Corps Paul Burnore (1992-1995) also expressed his gratitude in the letter. Head of the Foreign Ministry’s representative office in Almaty Igor Mussalimov noted that over one thousand volunteers performed a huge work that was highly appreciated by Kazakhstan party. On November 18, 2011, the Peace Corps announced suspension of its mission in Kazakhstan. The official statement noted that such decision was based on “several operational concerns”, as well as on the fact that Kazakhstan is one of the most developed countries where Peace Corps had its offices. By Sabina Serikova