2005 press releases

USAID Presents $217,857 to Lebanese American University, American Community School and Two Lebanese Organizations

September 8, 2005

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef presented on September 08, 2005 $217,857 to two American educational institutions and two Lebanese organizations at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar.

The four organizations receiving funding from USAID work in the fields of higher education, basic education, consumer rights protection and socio-economic development. USAID’s assistance will directly benefit more than 1,700 Lebanese citizens, including university students, school pupils and rural residents, in addition to consumers from throughout Lebanon.

USAID presented checks to the following organizations:

1) $28,392 to the Lebanese American University (LAU) for scholarship assistance to students from all university faculties. USAID’s financial support targets academically qualified students who are facing difficulties in pursuing their education. This year, USAID donated $1.4 million to LAU to complement the university’s scholarship fund, directly benefiting 155 students enrolled at the University.

2) $144,465 to the American Community School (ACS) in Beirut for financial aid to students. This donation is part of the annual level of funding that ACS receives from USAID. This year, USAID donated $300,000 to ACS to assist 175 qualified students in pursuing American style education at the school.

3) $25,000 to Consumers Lebanon to equip their first consumer protection office located in Beirut. The office will serve as the headquarters to centralize the organization’s management activities and will address more efficiently consumer protection issues benefiting the Lebanese community at large. Since 2000, Consumers Lebanon has been dedicated to expanding the concept of consumer protection in Lebanon, building awareness and lobbying for the amendment of consumer protection laws.

4) $20,000 to Jamyiat Nahdat Ain Anoub Al Khayriya in Aley to establish a computer training and Internet access center at the association’s premises. The center will serve 188 students enrolled at Ain Anoub Public School during the academic year, and will be open to the residents of the areas of Ain Anoub, Deir Koubel, Aitat, Ainab and Chemlan throughout the year. One hundred youth per month are expected to benefit from the center. The center has also begun the process of becoming part of the Professional Computer Association (PCA)’s network of PiPOPs. PiPOPs – or PCA Internet Points of Presence – to help bridge the digital divide in rural Lebanon through establishing computer centers in villages.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in Lebanon since 1951, funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. USAID’s program promotes economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon. USAID provides $35 million assistance a year and works in partnership with U.S. and Lebanese organizations throughout the country. USAID strengthens the relationship between the people of Lebanon and the people of the United States, and promotes a shared vision of democracy and socio-economic development.

For more information about USAID’s projects in Lebanon, visit USAID’s web site www.usaidlebanon.org.lb