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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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Speaking at the farewell organised by the US Embassy, the Ministry of Health's Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho spoke in glowing terms about the sterling service performed by the volunteers.

Dr Malefho said the Peace Corps office in the United States of America heeded former President Festus Mogae's plea for the volunteers to return to Botswana.

He said they helped the country to make strides in the campaign against HIV/AIDS.

"Over the last six years, the country has made gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The death rate from AIDS has declined drastically. The transmission of HIV from positive mothers has declined from 40 per cent to less than five per cent currently.

More orphans and vulnerable children are receiving the services and more people are on the anti-retroviral treatment. Your return as Peace Corps has been notable in your invaluable assistance to help us achieve these gains through community mobilisation," Dr Malefho said.

Director of Curriculum Development in the Ministry of Education, Mr David Ratsatsi said since its inception, the programme has accomplished positive results which however need to be quantified through monitoring and evaluation.

Noting that behavioural change as a process takes time to manifest itself, Mr Ratsatsi said it would be better if the Peace Corps Volunteer's tour of duty could be extended to a minimum of three years.

Part of the first year being a season of adjusting to the local culture as well as sharing their culture, then thereafter implementing their programmes before evaluating their impact in the latter part of the third year." Another speaker, Ms Dundu Macha from the Department of Health Care Services said the volunteers should be proud of what they have achieved.

She said the Ministry of Local Government was privileged to have been chosen as a partner to be supported by the Peace Corps office since its resumption of duty in Botswana.

Ms Macha said the Peace Corps have filled a human capacity gap that the country could not fill at the time as well as saving government a great deal of funds that could have been spent on staff mandated to carry out such roles.

"As the ministry responsible for social and physical development of infrastructure in the country, we feel that the Peace Corps have filled a void in human capacity and saved government funds that could have been spent on staff to do what Peace Corps volunteers are doing," Ms Macha said.

The US Ambassador, Mr Stephen Nolan commended his compatriots and those who have helped the Peace Corps Volunteers in their meaningful and productive experience in Botswana.

Mr Nolan said the volunteers would be moving to other areas but noted that nothing would ever replace the memories of Botswana.

He said the volunteers have been furthering their understanding of Botswana and its people to other Americans and friends in other parts of the world through emails and letters.

"You can continue to talk about a country that has used its diamond and mineral wealth in the people's interest. You can continue to spread the talk about an African country where democratic traditions are deeply rooted in the culture and hearts of its people," Mr Nolan advised the departing volunteers.

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