The American Corner Nablus held the closing ceremony for its first ever Children’s Literacy Program “Learn and Play” on Thursday, April 17th. Such esteemed guests in attendance included the U.S. Consulate’s Director of American Spaces for the West Bank and Gaza, Ms. Jessica Adams, the Country Director of AMIDEAST, Mr. Steven Keller, the Director of PR for the Directorate of Education Nablus, Ms. Samar Qadi, the school director for the recently opened American Academy, Ms Lisa Lee, An Najah’s Vice President of Administrative Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Hanoon, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Sami Jaber.

The event was a festive and fun celebration for the 74 students between 6th-10th grade from four different public schools in Nablus who completed the program (Jardaneh Boys School, Lutfeeyah Boys School, Muhamed Tufaha Girls School, and Turkieh Basic Girls School).

The event included the two winning public speakers from each secondary school as well as an array of performances by American Corner Volunteers including break dancing, juggling, spoken word, poetry, and singing.   The audience at many times got up to take pictures and to enjoy the performances more.

At the end of the event Ms. Samar Qadi, Ms. Jessica Adams, and a representative from each school passed out the certificates for completing the program to each student along with backpacks, hats, shirts, personalized notebooks, and other fun gifts for the students.  An Najah’s AC Volunteers also received certificates of appreciation for their hard work in making the program a success.  

Notes:

Additional special guests included girls from the Arabic Women’s Union Nablus’ Girls Orphanage and students from the American Academy located in Nablus who also all received special American Corner Nablus gifts.

The event was held in the Palestinian Korean IT Institute of Excellence