1. United States Peace Corps in Mauritania
Corps de Ia Paix Américain en Mauritanie
Description of Peace Corps Service
Name: Diego Duque
Program: English Education (AA 171)
Dates of Service: 18 June 2008— 10 August 2009
Summary
After successfully completing a highly competitive application process, Mr. Duque was invited to
serve as an English Education Volunteer in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Located on the
edge of the Saharan desert in Northwest Africa, Mauritania bridges Arab influenced North Africa
with the Sub-Saharan cultures of the South. The country has a population of approximately 3
million people of Arab and Sub-Saharan black African cultures united by Islamic traditions. Mr.
Duque accepted the invitation and successfully served in Mauritania from June 21, 2008 to August
14, 2009.
Pre-Service Training
Mr. Duque arrived in Mauritania on June 21, 2008 to begin an intensive ten-week community-
based training program to prepare him for service. Training took place in Rosso, a large town 2
hours south of the capital, Nouakchott, where he lived with a local host family. The program
included sector specific training, language, cross-culture, personal health and safety, and Peace
Corps administrative policies.
• Technical Training (133 hours): Mr. Duque received 133 hours of education specific
training. 35 hours of technical training sessions focused on teaching English as a foreign
language in Mauritania, classroom management, learner diversity, multi-level and multi
lingual classes, student motivation strategies, and teaching methodology. In addition, Mr.
Duque learned about the education system in Mauritania, the Ministry of Education, and the
national syllabus. 98 hours of training were dedicated to an intensive two week model
school, during which Mr. Duque demonstrated his ability to plan lessons and teach English
as a Foreign Language in a Mauritanian classroom. Technical training prepared Mr. Duque
with the skills necessary for the intensive working conditions found in Mauritania.
BR 222 - Nouakchott, Rêpublique Islamique de Mauritan e
Tél.: (222)5251781 -5251683-5252448 ~ k,~≤lj~ — flY
Fax: (222)5251929 At tY ô!ô — ¶A ‘fl •Yo ~A V~ flY
Website www.peacecorps.gov
e-mail : peacecorps@ mr.peacecorps gov ii’ i 0Y0 V V V
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Language Training (155 hours): Mr. Duque completed 155 hours of training in
Hassaniya, the local Arabic dialect spoken by the majority of the Mauritanian population.
Language lessons were conducted in French and Hassaniya. Mr. Duque completed this
training while living with a host family in a Hassaniya speaking community. At the end of
training Mr. Duque received an Intermediate-Middle level of Hassaniya as tested by a
certified Hassaniya instructor.
• Crass-Culture Training (32 hours): Mr. Duque completed 32 hours of Cross-Cultural
training which introduced him to the customs, traditions, religious practices, and social
norms of Mauritania. Cross-Cultural training included information on Mauritanian history,
government, and Islam. Furthermore, these sessions introduced some of the issues and
challenges facing Mauritania including slavery, poverty, and race relations.
• Health, Safety, and General Administration (29 hours): Health & Safety sessions taught
Mr. Duque how to deal with a variety health and safety issues in a challenging and isolated
environment. Sessions included first-aid, water treatment, HIV/AIDS awareness and
emergency action procedures.
Permanent Site Placement
On August 28, 2008, upon successful completion of the rigorous pre-service training set forth by
the United States Peace Corps, Mr Duque was officially sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer. He
was posted to a High School in the village of Gnimlane, a small Moor village in the Tagant region
of Mauritania. Located in the interior of the country, the Tagant region is one of the most remote
and isolated regions in Mauritania. Mr. Duque was the first Peace Corps volunteer posted to work
in Gnimlane. His Primary focus was providing an English education to students in 2 different grade
levels. During his time at site, Mr. Duque successfully created and implemented a professional
work environment. In his daily professional life he managed time, used sound judgment, and
exercised flexibility and patience to effectively perform his job. Furthermore, Mr Duque completely
integrated into the local community by promoting cultural exchange and speaking the local
language, Arabic Hassaniya and French, in all his daily interactions.
Responsibilities and Accomplishments
Primary Assignment:
Teaching English as a Foreign Language: As a Peace Corps Volunteer, Mr. Duque was
assigned to teach in a small Moor village at the local high school. Mr. Duque was responsible to
the National Ministry of Education, the Regional Director of Education and the High School
principal. He taught senior and junior year of High School English. Class size ranged from 20 to
50 students. Mr. Duque designed lessons according to the national curriculum and taught using
innovative pedagogical methods. Additionally, Mr Duque used the Community Content Based
Instruction (CCBI) approach, in which locally relevant topics are incorporated into lessons.
Throughout his work, Mr. Duque encountered and overcame challenges involved in teaching in
Mauritania, such as limited instructional resources, multi-level classes, unruly students, and large
class size.

3. DOS_Duque
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BAC Preparation Courses: The Baccalaureate (BAC) is a college entrance exam that is taken by
all students their final year of High School. Mr. Duque provided classes designed to prepare
students for the English portion of the BAC exam. The courses were held at the local youth center
for 2 hours per week and were available to all juniors and seniors. As a result, 18 students
improved their BAC English scores.
Computer Literacy Classes: Mr. Duque taught general computer literacy to students, teachers,
and other community members. Lessons were taught in Hassaniya and French and were held 3—
4 times per week. In addition to computer basics Mr. Duque covered the basic uses of Microsoft
Word, Excel, and Power Point. Over 40 students and 10 teachers benefited from these courses.
Regional Teacher Association: Mr. Duque facilitated the creation of a regional teacher
association, and drafted an action plan defining the association’s goals. The Tagant association of
education, culture, and HIV/AIDS awareness was responsible for a variety of youth development
and health projects including: honor roll ceremonies, the construction of a library, parent-teacher
conferences, HIV/AIDS conferences, and cultural events. Mr. Duque helped the association’s
president to register the association with the state, qualifying it for government and NGO
assistance.
School Honor Awards Ceremony I International Day of the African Child: Mr. Duque, in
collaboration with the Tagant teachers association, and World Vision, organized an end of the
school year honor awards ceremony to recognize students of superior academic performance and
in celebration of international day of the African child. The ceremony was a tremendous success.
The entire village population, community leaders, and top government officials, including the
regional governor, attended the ceremony. The ceremony brought the school and the community
together and demonstrated to students the high value the community places on education. Mr.
Duque played a crucial part in the coordination of this ceremony. He acquired funds from World
Vision to help with a portion of the costs as well as designed the Honor roll certificates which were
distributed all over the Tagant region.
Secondary Proiects:
Agricultural Cooperatives: Recognizing the need for increased vegetable consumption and
income generating activities, Mr. Duque initiated the creation of seven agricultural cooperatives
consisting of 187 people. Mr. Duque, working in conjunction with community leaders, acquired a
parcel of arable land with a well for each cooperative. Since most cooperative members were
unfamiliar with agriculture, Mr. Duque introduced key concepts of cultivating in a desert
environment during 14 different technical sessions. Topics included: soil aeration, manure use,
compost pits, natural pesticides, and proper watering techniques.
• With the long term sustainability of the project in mind, Mr. Duque drafted a legally binding
contract allowing cooperatives to cultivate, free of charge, for no less than 20 years.
Contracts were signed and approved by the highest regional government officials.
• In June of 2009, Mr. Duque completed a Peace Corps Partnership Application requesting
the funds for the construction of an irrigation system for each cooperative. Unfortunately,
the Peace Corps Mauritania program was indefinitely suspended before the project was
implemented.
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Cooperatives significantly increased the presence of vegetables in the market and
vegetable consumption in Gnimlane and surrounding areas. Additionally, cooperatives
created income generating opportunities for the poorest families in the village.
Tree planting: Mr. Duque worked with Agro-forestry volunteer Michael Kelley on a large tree
planting project. World Vision supplied Gnimlane cooperatives with more than 150 Moringa trees.
Mr Duque and Mr. Kelley coordinated the planting of all 150 trees and offered technical sessions
on how to care for them.
HIV/AIDS conferences: Mr. Duque and the Tagant teacher’s association organized four
HIV/AIDS conferences during which teachers taught community members about the preventive
measures, the importance of getting tested, and general HIV/AIDS information. More than 120
people attended these conferences.
World Vision Milk Goats Projects: World Vision has a program in which milk goats are given to
children that come from a poor family. Mr. Duque conducted a poverty assessment survey in
Hassaniya for World Vision Tagant in the village of Gnimlane. The survey was used by World
Vision to determine what children were eligible for milk goats and can be used in the future for
projects concerning the poorest families in Gnimlane.
Cultural Exchange Projects: To fulfill Peace Corps’ third goal of, Thelping promote a better
understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans,” Mr. Duque created a PowerPoint
presentation on the subject of Mauritania and his Peace Corps service. He presented it to more
than 30 people at the local Old Saybrook, CT public library and to more than 70 students at the
New London Dual Arts Academy Middle School in New London, CT.
Language Proficiency
Throughout the course of his service, Mr. Duque discussed important cultural, economic, and
social issues. He promoted an understanding and acceptance of people with different religious
views, social norms, and backgrounds. Mr Duque worked hard to overcome stereotypes while
working in a very conservative environment. The ability to communicate effectively in Hassaniya
was essential to the professional and personal success of Mr Duque’s Peace Corps Service. At
the end of his service, Mr. Duque achieved an Advanced-High level in French and an
Advanced-High level in Hassaniya, as tested by a certified instructor and according to the
PC/LPI standards.
Suspension of Peace Corps Program in Mauritania
Based on potential security risks, Peace Corps suspended operations in Mauritania in August of
2009, at which time all Volunteers were withdrawn from the country.
Non-Competitive Eligibility for Federal Employment
Pursuant to section 5(f) of the Peace Corps Act U.S.C. 2504(f) of April 10, 1963 as amended, any former
volunteer employed by the United States Government following her/her Peace Corps Volunteer service is
credited for purposes of retirement, seniority, reduction in force, leave and other privileges based on length

5. DOS_Duque
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of government service. That service shall not be credited toward completion of the probationary or trial period
of any service required for career appointment.
This is to certify in accordance with Executive Order 11103 of April 10, 1963 that Mr. Duque served
successfully as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His service ended on August 10th 2009. He is therefore eligible to
be appointed as a career-conditional employee in the competitive civil service on a non-competitive basis.
This benefit under the Executive Order extends for a period of one year after the termination of Volunteer
service, except that the employing agency may extend the period for up to three years for a former Volunteer
who enters military service, pursues studies at a recognized institution of higher learning, or engages in other
activities that, in the view of the appointing agency, warrant extension of that period.
August 14th 2009
Obie Eugene SHAW
Country Director

6. PEACE CORPS
Language Proficiency Interview Report Form
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VOLUNTEER (USE ENGLISH & ARABIC NUMBERS)
1. Enter your last name and first name, using one square for each letter. Indicate your sex, birth
date and social security number.
LAST NAME Please Print M FIRST NAME
CUJ • ••~~~ENflG ~
SEX F/M DATE OF BIRTH ID# SSN-last 4 di~.its
lIE 1161E4 4 6~
MM DD Year
Sector: ENGLISH EDUCATION
2. Enter the name of the country in which you are to be tested. Enter the abbreviation for the
appropriate region (Africa AF, InterAmerica and the Pacific lAP, Europe, Mediterranean and
AsiaEMA).
rnnr I E~ in
3. Point in Training or Service (Check one for your current status in service)
End of Pre-service training (PST) j_End of service (COS)
(hours /weeks______
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE TESTER
Lan uae Code* PC-LPI Ratin,** Tester Code
ian ns~rsrn ian
/ a
SIDI MOHAMED MILAN jcp~ September 7, 2009
Tester Name (Please Print) Sign:ture Date
* LANGUAGE French Hassaniya- Pulaar Soninke Wolof
CODES: (047) Arabic (423) (333) (132) (158)
ttLPI RATINGS:
Novice Low NOVL Intermediate High INTH
Novice Mid NOVM Advanced Low ADVL
Novice High NOVH Advanced Mid ADVM
Intermediate Low INTL Advanced High ADVH
Intermediate Mid INTM Superior SUPR
Complete all information requested above. Please note that, for each Volunteer, a separate form and Certificate
must be completed for each language in which a Language Proficiency Interview is given. If two different
testers test the same Volunteer, each tester must complete a separate form indicating his or her code number and
the rating assigned. The Certificate should remain at Post and the completed form should be sent to:
Peace Corps Language Testing Program
Attn: Training Staff Development Unit
Peace Corps/CEN/Training .)?
1111 201h Street, NW
Washington, DC 20526

7. PEA CE CORPS
Language Proficiency Interview Report Form
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VOLUNTEER (USE ENGLISH & ARABIC NUMBERS)
I. Enter your last name and first name, using one square for each letter. Indicate your sex, birth
date and social security number.
LAST NAME Please Print M FIRST NAME
I E ~ fl
SEX F/M DATE OF BIRTH ID# SSN-last 4 di:its
ii 4 rn~MM DD Year
Sector: ENGLISH EDUCATION
2. Enter the name of the country in which you are to be tested. Enter the abbreviation for the
appropriate region (Africa AF, lnterAmerica and the Pacific lAP, Europe, Mediterranean and
Asia=EMA)
•.f U R II A N —— ——
3. Point in Training or Service (Check one for your current status in service)
End of Pre-service training (PST) jEnd of service (COS)
(hours /weeks______
Other (ext. tour of duty, etc.) Explain:_____________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE TESTER
Lan ua’e Code* PC-LPI Ratintt Tester Code
~2 3 ran 9 a9
SIDI MOHAMED MILAN fl~jf~ September 7, 2009
Tester Name (Please Print) . igna ure Date
* LANGUAGE French Hassaniya- Pulaar Soninke Wolof
CODES: (047) Arabic (423) (333) (132) (158)
ttLPI RATINGS:
Novice Low NOVL Intermediate High INTH
Novice Mid NOVM Advanced Low ADVL
Novice High NOVH Advanced Mid ADVM
Intermediate Low INTL Advanced High ADVH
Intermediate Mid INTM Superior SUPR
Complete all information requested above. Please note that, for each Volunteer, a separate form and Certificate
must be completed for each language in which a Language Proficiency Interview is given. If two different
testers test the same Volunteer, each tester must complete a separate form indicating his or her code number and
the rating assigned. The Certificate should remain at Post and the completed form should be sent to:
Peace Corps Language Testing Program
Attn: Training Staff Development Unit
Peace Corps/CEN/Training
lb
111120 Street,NW
Washington, DC 20526
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