President Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin Visits Peace Corps Headquarters
President Yayi was introduced by Africa Regional Director Henry McKoy and Deputy Director Jody Olsen. Dr. Olsen began her introduction in French and shared a story of how former Peace Corps Director Paul D. Coverdell had been an advocate for Benin, even while serving as a U.S. Senator. She noted that the former Director had been given a hat indigenous to Benin, and displayed it prominently in his Senate office. President Yayi remarked that he has heard only positive stories of the grass-roots level work of Peace Corps Volunteers. He said he hopes to build on these strong relationships and look for new programs and ways to work with Peace Corps. "American has a face in Benin that is helping my brothers and sisters," he said about the Peace Corps program. Read more.