Volunteers have made particularly valuable contributions by designing and distributing tourism guides in both Lithuanian and English. One Volunteer worked with the Tourism Information Department of Birzai in Northern Lithuania to produce a Birzai tourism information brochure and a site on the World Wide Web. The following summer, tourism to the region increased by 20 percent. This success encouraged local industries to develop their own tourism development initiatives. TEFL Volunteers work with the Ministry of Education to increase access to English language instruction at the secondary school level, thereby giving citizens access to newly expanding technological, educational, social, and commercial developments.
Volunteers improve the English language proficiency and teaching skills of Lithuanian teachers.
In the area of business, Volunteers teach English classes for secondary-level students in vocational colleges or specialized schools. By the end of 1999, Education Volunteers had taught English to over 3,000 students in 23 schools, and business English to over 700 students in eight schools throughout the country. In addition, over 2000 people will have participated in community-based projects organized by Peace Corps Volunteers as special projects. One Volunteer implemented an alcohol awareness program in her community by educating both students and community members on the dangers of alcoholism. Another Volunteer implemented a peer support program that matches older mentors to younger students.