Program Summary

The Taghyeer program works with non-elite, socioeconomically disadvantaged school children in Mokattam, one of the poorest areas of Cairo, in ways that will improve their prospects for future educational and employment opportunities, while helping them to contribute meaningfully to their community. For the participating school children, the Taghyeer program represents an opportunity to improve their English language and other communication skills; develop an appreciation of Egyptian culture and heritage; and become empowered to feel they can make a difference. AMIDEAST partnered with the Mohamed Shafik Gabr Foundation for Social Development to pilot the program for 40 students in summer 2009.

Main Goals

• Provide a meaningful and comprehensive skills training program lasting two years that strengthens English language proficiency, develops competencies in areas like public speaking, enriches through exposure to Egypt’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, and empowers through activities that raise awareness of service to community

• Expand the program’s impact through a teacher training program targeting both English language teachers and core curriculum teachers that develops the skills and abilities of school teachers in ways that improve their performance and effectiveness, thereby benefiting a much broader spectrum of students beyond those enrolled in Taghyeer

Program Summary

Camp Discovery provides an enriching, happy summer camp experience for mainly at-risk youth from refugee camps in Gaza and the West Bank. Piloted in 2007, it has been expanded in size and duration in the following summers, reaching more than 1,650 children ages 8-14 within its first four years. Camp activities focus on English language training in a fun-filled, learner-centered environment, which is carried over and applied in complementary modules focused on artistic expression and scientific discovery, along with community service and team-building activities, as well as leadership development opportunities. The summer camps are funded by the U.S.

Program Summary

The Graduate Resource Program (GRP) seeks to bridge the gap between traditional education and the workplace by equipping recent Egyptian college graduates with skills desired by employers. Started in 1999, GRP is an initiative of the Future Generation Foundation, an Egyptian NGO. GRP training is focused on communication, leadership, confidence building, professional presentation, critical thinking, teamwork, and other areas.

The GRP Program is an intensive, 16-week program that provides 180 hours of instruction in Business English, 180 hours in computer applications, and 30 hours of business planning and entrepreneurship skills. AMIDEAST administers the program in Cairo, Alexandria, and Assiut. A 60-hour elective course, named the Specialized Tracks Program, was introduced to provide additional training in areas such as customer service and sales.

Program Summary

The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access Program) is an exciting initiative of the U.S. Department of State. This highly effective training program is designed to provide a significant English-language learning experience to bright non-elite 14- to 18- year-old students. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, it also has the goal of improving students’ appreciation of U.S. culture and values, encouraging critical thinking and open-mindedness, and improving performance in regular school classes. Launched in 2004, the Access Program is worldwide. AMIDEAST is currently serving over 6,000 youth in nine MENA countries: Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, the West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen.