| Algeria
Neikla Kerkebane '06, writes about the spirit of volunteerism."My name is Neila and I am eighteen years old and a YES alum. My experience in the United States was an amazing one. One of the core values I took away from the YES program is that if you want to be successful in your life you have to give back to the community. By giving back, you impact society in a positive way for the future. Upon returning home to Algeria, our YES alumni organization encouraged us to volunteer in our local communities. This past summer, I taught English to children at a local American school. In addition, I worked as a volunteer in an orphanage. As a result of both visits, I was moved by how difficult life could be for these children. During the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Fitr families traditionally purchase new clothes for their children as part of the celebration. I wanted to honor this tradition, so I bought Eid clothing for the orphans. The children were thrilled to receive their new garments. By giving to others, we set an excellent example for those around us to follow. This is a leadership skill I hope to teach to my fellow Algerians. My desire is to organize more events with the orphans and encourage others to become leaders in their communities."
The YES Alumni Newsletter for the Near East and Pakistan is produced by AMIDEAST. The YES scholarship program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs and administered by several organizations. AMIDEAST is part of a consortium that includes AYUSA International, ASSE, ASPECT Foundation, CCI, CIEE, iEARN, PIE, Sister Cities International, and YFU. |
