Peace Corps Press Release

East Lansing Resident Begins Peace Corps Service in Lesotho

Kevin Koryto, 22, of East Lansing, Mich., is busy packing his belongings and saying goodbyes as he prepares to put his knowledge and skills to work as an international Peace Corps volunteer.

Kevin has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Lesotho Oct.12, 2011 to begin pre-service training as a science education Peace Corps volunteer. Upon graduation from volunteer training in January, Kevin will teach secondary school physics, chemistry and biology, as well as HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.

His path to Lesotho began with passion and a desire to do something different, Kevin said.

“This experience will be meaningful to me, and if I didn’t take this chance, I knew I would regret it,” he said. “Those closest to me have been very supportive of my pursuits. Choosing Peace Corps over graduate school was difficult, but they stood behind me.”

During the first three months of his service, Kevin will live with a host family in Lesotho to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist his community, Kevin will be sworn into service and be assigned to a community in Lesotho, where he will live and work for two years with the local people.

After completing his service as a Peace Corps volunteer, Kevin said he planned to pursue a master’s degree in ecological engineering and to work in the field of storm water management or ecosystem restoration.

Kevin is the son of Michael Koryto and JoAnn Merrick and a graduate of East Lansing High School in East Lansing, Mich. He attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biosystems engineering in 2011.

During his time at the university, Kevin was president of the Michigan State chapter of Engineers Without Borders and traveled to Honduras to work on a clean water project in 2010. He also received an Outstanding and Distinguished Service Award from the College of Engineering for work as a mentor, club leader and undergraduate researcher.

Kevin has the opportunity to serve during Peace Corps’ 50^th anniversary year in 2011. While in service, he will receive all living expenses, full health and dental coverage, and a $7,425 transition fund upon completing service. After Peace Corps, Kevin is eligible for non-competitive federal employment advantage and Peace Corps Fellows/USA graduate programs offering financial assistance.

Kevin joins the 326 Michigan residents currently serving in the Peace Corps and more than 6,564 Michigan residents who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

About volunteers in Lesotho: More than 2,170 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Lesotho since the program was established in 1967. Volunteers in this Southern African nation work in the areas of education, youth and community development, health and HIV/AIDS awareness, and business development. Many volunteers working on HIV/AIDS prevention and care receive support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. Currently, 93 volunteers serve in Lesotho. Volunteers are trained and work in Sesotho.

About the Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps March 1, 1961, by executive order. Throughout 2011, Peace Corps is commemorating 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 8,655 volunteers work with local communities in 76 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.