US Ambassador Patricia Haslach, Cultural Affairs Officer Learned Dees of the US Department of State, Peace Corps staff, and other local partners honored the Youth Solidarity and English Language (YSEL) Ethiopia participants at its recent closing ceremony.
YSEL camp is a summer-camp style English immersion program that brings young students from all regions of Ethiopia for a month of learning new skills as well as about each other.
In her remarks to the group, Ambassador Haslach noted the importance of young people in society and the need for their voices to be heard.
"This year we have representatives from all 11 regions in Ethiopia, and I understand that, for some of you, it may be the first time you have met some one from some parts of the country," said Ambassador Haslach. "That is why the national character of this camp is one of its strengths and I hope you agree that there is strength in diversity and in unity. I challenge you to take this insight back to your home regions and share it with your classmates and friends."
The YSEL ceremony reflected the different components of the English immersion summer camp. As guests toured the camp, they observed a typical day at YSEL with students and teachers in classes and clubs such as karate and song club, public speaking, geography, and creative writing classes. Student works from different classes and activities throughout the month were on display.
"This was a day to celebrate the culmination of a month of productive work by the students and staff of YSEL," commented Tom Toomey, YSEL Ethiopia Camp Director. "I'm very proud of the students' progress in this short period of time and feel we have all accomplished a lot this past month."
The core goal of YSEL is to strengthen the English language skills of the participants while simultaneously developing important life skills such as teamwork, individual responsibility, study habits, community service, and volunteerism. The month-long intensive training program focuses on further developing English language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), promoting solidarity and understanding among youth from the diverse regions of Ethiopia, building self-confidence in girls and creating respect and mutual understanding between genders, and understanding the role of community service and volunteerism.
After completing camp, YSEL students returned home as members of the growing YSEL-Ethiopia alumni group. For alumni, American Councils coordinates a small grants program and other activities starting in the fall. Local staff helps alumni plan projects to improve their communities as well as keep in touch through social media.
For more information about the YSEL-Ethiopia program, contact Tom Toomey, the YSEL Ethiopia Camp Director at ttoomey@americancouncils.org or yselethiopia@americancouncils.org.
Read the YSEL-Ethiopia blog and visit its Facebook page to learn more.