BAHRAIN VOLUNTARY VISITOR FY-05 "VOLUNTEERISM AND

UNCLAS MANAMA 001677 SIPDIS STATE FOR ECA/PE/V/F/A NALINE CAIN; NEA-PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL BA SUBJECT: BAHRAIN VOLUNTARY VISITOR FY-05 "VOLUNTEERISM AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4, 2005. ¶1. SUMMARY: Zakeya Ahmed Ali, Education Specialist, Ministry of Education and Eman Yusuf Abdulkarim, High School Student, Hamad Town Girls Secondary School and Globe Student, went on a five-day VOLVIS program "Volunteerism and Youth Engagement". ¶2. Zakeya has come back from the trip with "more motivation and encouragement to initiate the Volunteers program in Bahrain as soon as possible. I have already established contacts with key persons in the relevant NGOs that I have visited." She has provided PAO with the contact list of these persons and a brief on their organizations. ¶3. The program has helped Zakeya to gain first-hand experience on how NGOs operate in the U.S and the number and type of people involved in voluntary service, in addition to their sense of devotion to such work. She comprehended that volunteerism and community service are part of the American culture. ¶4. The program has helped Zakeya to compare between the functioning of NGOs in Bahrain and the U.S. and youth involvement and commitment in non-profit organizations. Both Zakeya and Eman were amazed that some NGOs were operating at managerial level by Americans who are in their early 20s. Zakeya underlined that Bahrain's youth are being marginalized in decision-making process, thus their leadership skills are minimal. She pointed out that these youths are in need for volunteerism education, in order to change their behavior and attitude towards social engagement and environmental concerns. ¶5. Zakeya is seriously thinking of establishing her own NGO. During the debriefing, she informed PAO about receiving preliminary support from Greater DC Cares in Washington. Her contact is Julie Howard, Volunteer Outreach Associate. She is also coordinating with Discovery Channel to hold an International Science Fair, which will include Bahrain for the first time. Zakeya is also working on sending Bahraini GLOBE students to US summer science camps. ¶6. Our contact added that Eman has significantly benefited from the trip in two ways; attending the specific scheduled meetings for Zakeya, and interacting with her American counterparts. She excitedly and enthusiastically got herself into exchanging ideas on youth being actively involved in voluntary work for the betterment of their Communities, as well as understanding the U.S educational system. ¶7. As the Educational Specialist at the Ministry of Education, Zakeya is responsible for introducing new and innovative educational programs in the school system, and ensuring that these programs are effectively implemented. In 2001, Zakeya became GLOBE Coordinator. She has successfully managed the program through sheer determination to recruit students into this program. Zakeya is now the Regional Coordinator for the GLOBE Middle East Program. Her responsibilities include expanding the Participation of teachers and schools in the program, setting up joint projects with GLOBE schools abroad, developing the involvement of scientists in the Middle East and supporting the infrastructure of Country Coordinators in the region. MONROE