U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem Honors 97 Graduates of the English ACCESS Micro-scholarship Program

The English Access Micro-scholarship Program (ACCESS) is celebrating the graduation of its fourth class of students since the program’s inception with a series of ceremonies in Ramallah and Gaza. Public Affairs Officer Frank Finver delivered congratulatory remarks at the graduation ceremony for 97 students from Bethlehem, Jericho and Hebron on January 22, 2010. In total, there will be 925 students graduating from the ACCESS program in January and February 2010. The program provides bright Palestinian teenagers from throughout the West Bank and Gaza with 240 hours of English language training, 15 hours of public speaking training, and 20 hours of cultural enrichment, leadership development, and community service activities. The scholarships are awarded to deserving high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, Jerusalem, Tulkarem, Salfeet, Jericho, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya in the West Bank, and from Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, North Gaza, and Middle Camps in Gaza. In honor of completing this program, students were invited to a Graduation Retreat in Ramallah that included an elaborate graduation ceremony, followed by lunch and a movie.