Press Releases

U.S.-Funded scholarship provides English training to underprivileged youth

The first phase of the ACCESS micro-scholarship program funded by the US Department of State and administered by AMIDEAST is coming to a conclusion. The program began in the summer of 2004 and has provided 333 bright Palestinian students from the West Bank and Gaza with 150 hours of English language training, 15 hours of public speaking training, 15 hours of computer training, and career advising. These scholarships were given to deserving high school students from less privileged backgrounds from Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and several camps in the Gaza Strip.

The purpose of this program is to increase the English language skills and capabilities of Palestinian youth who traditionally are unable to afford private English language training. Poor English language skills represent an important barrier to advancement for youth today. The study of American English will provide new perspectives to these youth and possibly open doors of opportunity previously closed to many of them.

The students will come together for a summer retreat in Ramallah on June 27 and 28th, and in Gaza City on June 25 and 26th. Retreat activities will include a leadership workshop, a graduation ceremony, and an outdoor celebration with a barbeque lunch and American games. For many of these youth this will be the first time they have traveled outside their home cities.

The ACCESS program is expected to continue again this summer with an expansion of its activities to other areas of the West Bank and Gaza and an increase in the number of scholarships.