US Peace Corps in Zambia: A History of Grassroots Development and Current Programs

Nov 13, 2025 0

The Peace Corps is a United States volunteer organization dedicated to grassroots development and economic growth in developing countries. Officially created by the United States Congress in September 1961 under the leadership of President John F. Kennedy, it represents the United States' commitment to helping people around the world achieve economic independence and sustainable development.

Over the past decades, more than 150,000 Americans have served in Peace Corps, working in over one hundred countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe at the request of host governments. Currently, there are thousands serving in numerous countries around the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are many Volunteers and Trainees working in various countries.

Peace Corps provides technical assistance by sending qualified Volunteers to work on development projects requested by the host country. During a two-year tour of service, a Volunteer is assigned to work on a specific project in agriculture, health, environment, small business development, education, or community development. Peace Corps concentrates most of its efforts on rural development and adheres to a philosophy of helping people help themselves, emphasizing the transfer of skills to host country counterparts and the use of appropriate technology.

The Volunteers are placed at the grassroots level to live and work directly with the people of the countries in which they serve. The three goals set forth by President Kennedy in 1961 guide them to help promote world peace and friendship:

Help the populations of interested countries meet their needs for qualified people.
Promote a better understanding of Americans on behalf of other people of the world.
Promote a better understanding of other people in the world on behalf of Americans.

The Genesis of Peace Corps in Zambia

In February 1992, President Chiluba raised the idea of opening a Peace Corps program in Zambia during his visit to the United States. An agreement between the two governments was signed on September 14, 1993, after receiving a positive response from President Bush.

Read also: South Africa Peace Corps

The first Volunteers arrived in Zambia in January 1994 to work in the area of water and sanitation in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Energy and Water, NGOs and local communities. Since that time, two projects: Community Action for Health and Rural Aquaculture Promotion were initiated. In addition, two Volunteers are working in special placements as instructors at the University of Zambia School of Law. Since 1997, several Volunteers have been assigned to work in Eastern Province with the Administrative Management Design Project under the auspices of the Zambia Wildlife Authority. In 2000, Crisis Corps, a division of Peace Corps, assigned Volunteers to work on projects addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Zambia today has many Volunteers serving in various regions with Volunteers serving in each of the main projects. Each project works with its respective Ministries at District, Provincial and National levels.

The Volunteers: Selection, Orientation, and Life in Zambia

The members of Peace Corps are United States citizens who voluntarily offer their services for a period of two years. They are paid an allowance by Peace Corps to cover their expenses at roughly the same amount as their host country counterparts and are expected to live modestly. At the end of their service, they receive a small sum to help them readjust to the United States.

Americans of all ages and ethnic backgrounds volunteer for Peace Corps. They are motivated by a desire to help and to understand and experience new cultures, by living and working with the people. They learn local languages and customs and share the daily life of their adopted communities.

Peace Corps selects Volunteers based on their educational experience, skills and character. Once chosen, Volunteers receive intensive training to prepare them for their work. They receive technical local language and cross-cultural training so that they can better adapt to, and serve their communities. Volunteers and their Zambian counterparts share ideas, information and skills and work with community leaders to design and implement projects which reflect the needs of the community.

Peace Corps promotes a common sense approach: sustainable development starts with the people themselves.

Current Programs and Projects

Peace Corps Volunteers in Zambia are involved in various projects that address critical needs in the country. These projects span across different sectors, including health, education, and agriculture.

Peace Corps Response Volunteer Worked with Saving Mothers, Giving Life in Zambia

Community Action for Health

Volunteers collaborate with local health workers and communities to promote health education, disease prevention, and access to healthcare services. These initiatives often focus on addressing prevalent health issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal and child health.

Rural Aquaculture Promotion (RAP)

RAP PCVs work with farmers in measuring and digging earthen gravity-filled ponds to raise freshwater fish. RAP is the only current aquaculture program in Peace Corps worldwide. RAP is a unique program in that you can quickly see a tangible change. While fish is commonly consumed in Zambia, most are sourced from over-fished natural lakes. They are not traditionally raised in rural settings. Tons of fish are imported from China, but Zambia has enough natural resources to supply its own fish. The Zambian government has been promoting aquaculture to meet this demand.

This program supports sustainable fish farming practices to improve food security and livelihoods in rural communities. Volunteers work with local farmers to introduce and promote fish farming techniques, providing training and resources to establish and manage fishponds.

HIV/AIDS Initiatives

Recognizing the global HIV/AIDS pandemic as one of the greatest health challenges, the Peace Corps in Zambia actively participates in prevention, treatment, and care programs. These initiatives align with Zambia's National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Strategy.

USG-supported workshops are helping to educate Zambian military officials about how to address this problem. As a result of these efforts, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) has increased and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS has been reduced.

The USG-supported the Corridors of Hope project helps to improve the health of those populations most at risk for HIV infection, such as commercial sex workers and their clients. They are provided with VCT services.

Project New Start is encouraging Zambians to know their status.

The USG supports the workplace HIV/AIDS programs of two of Zambias largest companies, Dunavant Cotton and Konkola Copper Mines.

Additional Projects

Animal husbandry - A Peace Corps grant funded a project with a women’s group to start a chicken and egg business.

The USG partnered with the GRZ and other stakeholders to produce standardized clinical care guidelines for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS.

The USG was a key partner in the formation of the VCT Partnership. The VCT Partnership coordinates GRZ, District Health Management Teams, NGO and donor efforts to expand access to high quality VCT services and to educate the public on the health and social benefits associated with awareness of HIV status. This project has seen improved quality of VCT services, including pre- and post-test counseling and post-test referrals.

Reflections and Advice from a Volunteer

Lianne Bronzo, who served with the Peace Corps as an agriculture volunteer in Zambia with her partner, Adam, shared her experiences and insights. She emphasized the importance of openness, flexibility, patience, curiosity, and humility for anyone considering serving as a Peace Corps volunteer.

She said that serving with the Peace Corps can be a transformative experience, but it is not easy and not for everyone. She also added that Zambians appreciate effort to learn local languages.

Lianne also noted that her YouTube channel contributed to her overall mission as a Peace Corps volunteer. The ‘Third Goal’ of sharing Zambian culture with Americans is a major portion of the Peace Corps goals and blogging is the best way for me to share that.

In conclusion, the Peace Corps in Zambia has a rich history of fostering development and promoting understanding between the United States and Zambia. Through various projects and the dedication of its volunteers, the Peace Corps continues to make a positive impact on the lives of Zambians and contribute to the country's sustainable development.