Nehring is serving citizens of Zambia with Peace Corps

The Peace Corps celebrated its 46th anniversary this month, a occasion of special significance for Plateau native Brad Nehring.

The 2001 graduate of White River High School went on to earn a degree from Western Washington University, joined the Peace Corps and was soon whisked away to Zambia. He's scheduled to serve in the African country until August 2008.

Nehring is one of about 150 Peace Corps volunteers now in Zambia. He is part of the LIFE program, which focuses on supporting farmers, improving environmental education in schools and working on HIV/AIDS awareness, along with boosting adult literacy.

The Peace Corps was established March 1, 1961, by President John F. Kennedy to promote world peace and friendship.

Since its inception, the Peace Corps has trained 187,000 volunteers who have served in 139 countries. Currently, there are 7,749 volunteers and trainees in 73 countries. Volunteers are primarily female (59 percent), are almost always single (93 percent) and, as a group, are well educated, with 93 percent holding at least an undergraduate degree.

The Peace Corps has changed since 1961. While volunteers continue to do important work like bringing clean water to communities and teaching children, today's volunteers also work in areas like HIV/AIDS awareness, information technology and business development.

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