Tanzanian Students to Visit U.S.

September 6, 2012

U.S. Embassy staff with YLEP program participants.

On September 6, nine Tanzanian high school students and one teacher selected to participate in this year's Youth Leadership Exchange Program (YLEP) visited the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam for a pre-departure briefing. The participants were selected from various secondary schools in Tanzania with the assistance of Peace Corps volunteers who identified and nominated candidates based on their leadership and academic skills. The four-week program is sponsored by the American people through the U.S. Department of State, and will include visits to Portland, Oregon and Washington D.C. from October 26 through November 18, 2012.

The teacher and students selected for this program are:

• Grace Mipawa, teacher at the Mkuu Secondary School in Rombo
• Reuben Shayo Mkuu Secondary School in Rombo
• Yusuph Maswaswa, Bereke Secondary School in Dodoma
• Esther Ayoub Kimagai Secondary School in Dodoma
• Aneth Temu Mrereni Secondary School in Moshi
• Bernadetha Reuben Sepuka Secondary School in Singida
• Anthony Kyungai Green Acres Secondary School in Dar es Salaam
• Victoria Molle Orkeeswa Secondary School in Arusha
• Altho Njovu Wailes Secondary School in Dar es Salaam
• Ramadhani Msuya Msangeni Secondary School in Kilimanjaro

The group will be led by teacher Grace Mipawa. They will joined during the program by educators from Tanzania and Nigeria.

Welcoming the students, Acting Public Affairs Officer Roberto Quiroz II told participants that the trip to the U.S. is only the beginning of the program: "You will be Tanzania's youngest ambassadors to the American people. We are honored that each of you will enrich cultural exchanges between our young people and thereby strengthen the strong ties of friendship between our nations. Most of all, your participation will allow you not just to learn about America, but for America to learn more about Tanzania."

The program also included presentations by U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Assistants Honory Jerome, Shamsa Suleiman, and Rehema Kalinga, who urged them to maximize their experiences in the U.S. to contribute to their communities in Tanzania upon their return. They also noted that upon their return, the students will engage in follow-on projects within their home communities to share their knowledge and experiences. As part of the program, the students will explore civic education, leadership development, respect for diversity, and community activism through U.S.-based exchange projects. In addition, they will obtain a first-hand experience of American life through home stays with host families, school and community activities in Oregon, and attend a series of youth programs in Washington, D.C. including workshops, meetings with grassroots activists and community organizers who will discuss their experiences fostering communities of empowered young people and educators.

The Youth Leadership Exchange Program is implemented by U.S. Embassies worldwide in partnership with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State.

See Facebook album: http://on.fb.me/UwOqc6