Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BOGOTA2345
2009-07-23 21:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
YOUTH OUTREACH VISIT FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #2345 2042129 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 232129Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9918 INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 9042 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2508 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUL LIMA 7805 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 8501 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 3921
UNCLAS BOGOTA 002345
UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON ENRG EPET PGOV CO
SUBJECT: YOUTH OUTREACH VISIT FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
UNCLAS BOGOTA 002345
UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON ENRG EPET PGOV CO
SUBJECT: YOUTH OUTREACH VISIT FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
1. (U) SUMMARY. The DCM traveled on June 27 to the city of
Barranquilla (in the Caribbean coast department of Atlantico) to
visit a drug demand prevention program sponsored by the Lion's Club
International and to participate in the inauguration ceremony for
the Latin American Little League Tournament. The visit highlighted
U.S. assistance efforts to counter drug demand and improve the
quality of life through community activities such as baseball. END
SUMMARY.
SUCCESSFUL DRUG DEMAND PREVENTION PROGRAM
--------------
2. (U) The Deputy Chief of Mission visited Centro de Educacisn para
la Rehabilitacisn de Lenguaje (CERAL) and observed the successful
teaching methods of the Lion's Club's "Skills for Life," a drug
demand prevention program that involves the entire community. Since
2007 the Lion's Club has received two USD 100,000 grants from the
Embassy's Narcotics Affairs Section. The program is taught in 19
departments in Colombia reaching more than 30,000 children and 900
teachers. In Barranquilla the program is implemented in 16 schools,
including CERAL where 105 children with auditory difficulties
receive instruction. The DCM recognized the program by presenting a
plaque to Ana Beatriz Soto de Avila, Lion's Club leader in
Barranquilla.
BASEBALL DIPLOMACY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
--------------
3. (U) Barranquilla was selected as the official host of the XLIII
Latin American Little League Tournament. In addition to two teams
representing Colombia, 11- and 12-year-old players traveled from
Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela to
participate. The DCM participated in the inauguration ceremony for
the tournament held at a newly constructed stadium in the industrial
center of Barranquilla. The DCM had the opportunity to meet with
industry leaders from throughout the Barranquilla community and the
organizers of the tournament, but also with the players from the six
teams represented, their coaches, and parents. This was another
opportunity for the DCM to convey the important message of drug
demand prevention and community involvement. He was also able to
mention the importance of including baseball in the 2016 Olympics.
BROWNFIELD
UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON ENRG EPET PGOV CO
SUBJECT: YOUTH OUTREACH VISIT FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
1. (U) SUMMARY. The DCM traveled on June 27 to the city of
Barranquilla (in the Caribbean coast department of Atlantico) to
visit a drug demand prevention program sponsored by the Lion's Club
International and to participate in the inauguration ceremony for
the Latin American Little League Tournament. The visit highlighted
U.S. assistance efforts to counter drug demand and improve the
quality of life through community activities such as baseball. END
SUMMARY.
SUCCESSFUL DRUG DEMAND PREVENTION PROGRAM
--------------
2. (U) The Deputy Chief of Mission visited Centro de Educacisn para
la Rehabilitacisn de Lenguaje (CERAL) and observed the successful
teaching methods of the Lion's Club's "Skills for Life," a drug
demand prevention program that involves the entire community. Since
2007 the Lion's Club has received two USD 100,000 grants from the
Embassy's Narcotics Affairs Section. The program is taught in 19
departments in Colombia reaching more than 30,000 children and 900
teachers. In Barranquilla the program is implemented in 16 schools,
including CERAL where 105 children with auditory difficulties
receive instruction. The DCM recognized the program by presenting a
plaque to Ana Beatriz Soto de Avila, Lion's Club leader in
Barranquilla.
BASEBALL DIPLOMACY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
--------------
3. (U) Barranquilla was selected as the official host of the XLIII
Latin American Little League Tournament. In addition to two teams
representing Colombia, 11- and 12-year-old players traveled from
Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela to
participate. The DCM participated in the inauguration ceremony for
the tournament held at a newly constructed stadium in the industrial
center of Barranquilla. The DCM had the opportunity to meet with
industry leaders from throughout the Barranquilla community and the
organizers of the tournament, but also with the players from the six
teams represented, their coaches, and parents. This was another
opportunity for the DCM to convey the important message of drug
demand prevention and community involvement. He was also able to
mention the importance of including baseball in the 2016 Olympics.
BROWNFIELD