Peace Corps Bulgaria celebrated its 10th birthday with an honorary award from U.S. Ambassador Richard Miles to 48 American volunteers. Bulgarian ministry officials also attended the ceremony to commemorate the 11th group of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Bulgaria.

The volunteers teach English in primary and secondary schools, foster local economic development by working with municipalities and local organizations, promote environmental awareness and assist with the management of Bulgarian natural resources. Volunteers train intensively in Panagyurishte for three months prior to their two-year assignment. During that period they become familiar with the Bulgarian lifestyle and culture by living in the homes of local families.

The Peace Corps began its work in Bulgaria in 1991 through an agreement between Bulgaria and the U.S. government. It was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy to provide technical assistance to other countries.

Introducing other cultures to Americans is a key element of the Peace Corps. It also gives Americans the opportunity to learn about other countries and cultures.

Since 1961, over 160,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers around the world in fields such as agriculture, business development, education, environment, health care and youth development.

Over 400 Peace Corps Volunteers have completed their service in Bulgaria and returned to the U.S. since 1991. Volunteers work for Bulgarian organizations and institutions and are supervised by Bulgarian staff.

In a videoconference with Washington D.C. headquarters, Peace Corps Bulgaria country director Steven Taylor said that 101 American Peace Corps volunteers would be working in Bulgaria from this month on. They are split between business and economic development (20), English education (53) and environmental management and training (28).

"In the beginning volunteers worked in larger towns but now they are placed in smaller communities, which is what Peace Corps would prefer. The smaller the community the closer we get to the people of the country," said Taylor. He explained that the volunteers are happy to share their technical expertise with Bulgarians and also to encourage civic responsibility. One of their main aims is to give people a better understanding of America and Americans, he added.

"We are pleased to make that contribution to Bulgaria and its people when they are entering the European Union. Most important is the fact that volunteers work side by side with their local counterparts to solve problems," said Taylor.

Kelley Willett, a volunteer based in Veliko Turnovo, explained that she was initially surprised by the country. "First it looks like America and other places in the world but with time the differences become deeper. A totally new outlook was ahead of me, which I had to learn," she said. "I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the local people," she added.

The fact that things are moving at a slower pace sometimes charms Willet. "I am changing everyday and sometimes I love it or hate it."

Melissa Nix is a volunteer in Plovdiv who arrived a year ago. She explained how difficult it was for her to adapt. She learned how to be more patient and now works in a small and cozy office in Plovdiv. "I landed in Plovdiv and the people I work with made me so welcome that if I could live through it again I would definitely do it," she said.

The Peace Corps is helping to address the issues of food and fuel shortages with projects in community economic development, environmental education, and English-language instruction, which Bulgarians believe will help them integrate into international business and commercial activities.

The Peace Corps business program was developed to help Bulgarians adapt to their rapidly changing economic and political environment. Volunteers work with small business owners, micro-entrepreneurs, and students to develop skills in business administration and management.

Another field for Peace Corps volunteers is Bulgaria's environment. It has experienced increasing pressure and stress that has resulted in deforestation, wetland destruction, and general degradation. Volunteers work with schools, NGOs, national park administrations, local governments, youth centres, and forestry units to educate and empower communities.

They aim to help people understand and address environmental problems and to develop and implement community-based environmental initiatives. Volunteers facilitate co-operation between NGOs and local, national, and international environmental organizations. The idea is to develop a network for environmental information exchange and technical assistance. Over the last 40 years, more than 163,000 Americans have become Peace Corps volunteers.

"The Peace Corps is a remarkable tradition, which emphasizes that our country is about more than just power and wealth. It is also about the power of our values and the power of a helping hand, the ethic of service, and the understanding that we have an obligation not only to our own people, to people around the world to help them make the most of their own lives," commented former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Anissa Paulsen, a volunteer who has now returned to the States, wrote: "Of course what was interesting to me was the Bulgarian way of life. Their self-sufficiency - the fact that they grow their food and own their houses (which often they've built for themselves) - has largely maintained the country's stability through the severe economic crises of the past decade. Along with what was exacerbated under communism, is the undertone of apathy and pessimism among Bulgarians."

She observed that Bulgarians often settle for a "make-do" mantra. "Once a week our town didn't have water during the day, and yet no one seemed too concerned about knowing why. When the school's copy machine ran out of toner, lack of money meant it was not an option to replace it."

Paulsen felt that Bulgarians' love for American culture was indiscriminate, which she saw as not only unwarranted but also a rather empty worship that will not serve the country. "Watching and playing a small part in that process was most interesting and rewarding, and there is no other place I'd rather have been to," she wrote.