2006 press releases

Ambassador Celebrates 4th of July with Lebanese Youth

Awards Grantees More Than $2.7 Million in Support of Youth

July 2, 2006

In celebration of the 230th anniversary of American independence, U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman hosted an American-style barbeque at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar for Lebanese exchange students and representatives of organizations working with Lebanese youth. The July 2nd event was part of the Embassy’s official Independence Day celebrations and aimed to highlight the long-term commitment of the United States to Lebanon and its investment in Lebanon’s youth. Ambassador Feltman presented checks totaling more than $2.7 million dollars to four American educational institutions in Lebanon and four Lebanese organizations serving youth.

The guests included Lebanese Youth Exchange and Study (YES) scholarship winners and their parents. Ambassador Feltman welcomed back to Lebanon 39 YES students who spent the past year in homes of American families, studying in high schools throughout the country. Thirty-seven Lebanese high school students will depart for the United States in August for a year of study funded by the Government of the United States. Ambassador Feltman lauded the students as “Lebanon’s finest ambassadors.”

In his remarks to the 300 guests, Ambassador Feltman said, “Our July 4th celebration today aims to honor our past by looking to the future. We believe that the best investment in Lebanon’s future must be in expanding opportunities for Lebanese youth to reach their full potential. By investing in youth, we re-affirm the enduring and long-term commitment of the United States to Lebanon.”

Ambassador Feltman presented checks from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the following organizations:

To American University Beirut, $1,716,729.32, as part of a $2 million grant for scholarship assistance. 700 students from all faculties benefit from this assistance by receiving partial coverage of their tuition fees.

To Lebanese American University, $697,856, as part of a $1.4 million grant for scholarship assistance to benefit 157 students from all faculties.

To American Community School, $90,000, as part of a $300,000 grant for scholarship assistance. 104 students will benefit from this assistance.

To International College, $20,000, as part of a $300,000 grant for scholarship assistance and library books.

With funding from USAID’s Small Grants Program, Ambassador Feltman also presented the following awards to the following organizations:

To the Educational Charitable Association, $48,000 to improve the educational capabilities of the organization’s charitable school “Mina Namozejieh Elementary School for Boys and Girls.” The school, established in 1946, ensures that children living in an impoverished neighborhood in Tripoli have access to education.

To the Social Guidance Association Mrouj, $44,000 to purchase computers, dormitory materials and kitchen equipment to better serve 225 children without families to care for them.

To the Tyre Art Association, $35,000 to buy computers and audio visual equipment to offer impoverished youth classes in basic reading, writing and computer skills to expand their employment options.

To Sagesse High School, $10,000 to strengthen the education program for children with special needs.