left to right (top) Mohammed Karam, Ali Al-Dousari, and Abdulaziz Al-Attal (bottom) Dalal Al-Sharhan and Sara Al-Naqi applaud at the end of a chorus of “Happy Birthday” for Fahed (center)

Abdualziz Al-Attal '05 made a presentation to the newly-selected '07 grantees and their parents during a program overview orientation in January. Abdulaziz spoke about his experience on the YES program, including the difficulties and challenges he went through, how he succeeded in overcoming culture shock, and how he managed to make it an unforgettable time in his life.

Jassim Al-Ghanim '04 helped AMIDEAST staff organize an official ceremony for the English Access Microscholarship students in Kuwait. Jassim made phone calls to all the invitees to extend personal invitations and on the day of the ceremony answered student and parent questions, directed guests and helped with logistics to make the event run smoothly.

Dalal Al-Najadi (left) and Zaina Al Musallam (right) with Sa’adeya, a patient at the hospital

In March, ’04 alumni Jassim Dalal Al-Sharhan, Zaina Al-Musalam and ’05 alumni Ali Al-Dousari and Mohammed Karam, along with seven of the new ’07 YES grantees visited the Hussain Makki Al-Juma Cancer Control Center in the Al-Sabah Hospital Compound in Kuwait City. The alumni, inspired by the courage and strength of the patients, decided to work with the children at the leukemia center. When the alumni learned that a young patient named Fahed was turning six on March 29th, they decided the visit would celebrate his birthday. The students arrived at the Center with a cartoon character, cake, decorations and presents, which all the patients enjoyed, most especially Fahed.

The YES students loved getting to know the children and playing games with them. Both the children and the students were sad to leave when the party came to an end and alumni have been planning to return soon to spend more time with their new friends.