Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU111
2009-03-26 06:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
BENIN: Report-Black History Month Celebration at New
how-toVZCZCXRO0389 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #0111 0850625 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 260625Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0832 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1421 RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS COTONOU 000111
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)
DEPARTMENT FOR IIP/IR
PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRC OIIP KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: Report-Black History Month Celebration at New
Covenant American School International (NCASI)
UNCLAS COTONOU 000111
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)
DEPARTMENT FOR IIP/IR
PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRC OIIP KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: Report-Black History Month Celebration at New
Covenant American School International (NCASI)
1. SUMMARY: On February 19, 2009, PAO Rhonda Watson spoke at the New
Covenant American School International as part of Black History
Month celebration. During the visit to the school, the PAO invited
the students to visit the American Cultural Center and they came two
weeks later for a film screening of "Akeelah and the Bee" after
which the PAO presented the school with books for their library.
END SUMMARY.
2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: February 19 and March 4; Second quarter, FY 09
3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: At the invitation of the New
Covenant American School International, the PAO and IRCD paid a
visit to the school to make a presentation on Black History Month.
The school serves pre-school through Grade 12 students and the
English curriculum is based on the American system of education. In
her speech, the PAO pointed out the importance of Black History
Month as it offers the opportunity to pay tribute to the
contribution of African Americans to American history and to
motivate students to follow their positive examples. Taking the
example of President Barack Obama, she encouraged the students to
work hard in order to fulfill their dreams.
4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Promotion of Education
and Mutual Understanding. Approximately one hundred students,
teachers and parents attended the two events.
5. ACTIVITIES/IMPACT/RESULT: Black History Month celebration at
NCASI included a PAO presentation on the school premises and a film
screening at the American Cultural Center's IRC.
On February 19, the PAO went to the New Covenant American School to
deliver a talk about Black History Month and lessons to be drawn
from the African American history. Using the election of President
Barack Obama as the first African American elected President of the
United States as evidence of the advances in American society and
the result of personal preparation, the PAO encouraged the young
people to have dreams and work hard to fulfill them. When asked what
they want to be when they grow up, several of the children responded
that they wanted to become a President. The PAO emphasized that
such lofty dreams would mean the students would have to apply
themselves diligently to their studies.
As a follow up of this meeting at the school, the PAO invited
students and teachers to a film screening of "Akeelah and the Bee,"
which was shown at the American Cultural Center on March 4, 2009. At
the end of the film, the PAO held a short spelling contest and
presented gift books to the Director of the School. Participants
enjoyed the film and the Director of the School expressed his
appreciation of this initiative from the Public Affairs Section
(PAS). He promised to work closely with PAS for more educational
activities.
6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: None
7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. The visit to the school and
the film screening at the IRC paved the way for future exchanges and
gave the opportunity for teachers and parents to know more about the
American Cultural Center's offerings, especially the library. After
the visit, many of the participants submitted their request to be
registered as library members.
BROWN
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)
DEPARTMENT FOR IIP/IR
PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRC OIIP KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: Report-Black History Month Celebration at New
Covenant American School International (NCASI)
1. SUMMARY: On February 19, 2009, PAO Rhonda Watson spoke at the New
Covenant American School International as part of Black History
Month celebration. During the visit to the school, the PAO invited
the students to visit the American Cultural Center and they came two
weeks later for a film screening of "Akeelah and the Bee" after
which the PAO presented the school with books for their library.
END SUMMARY.
2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: February 19 and March 4; Second quarter, FY 09
3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: At the invitation of the New
Covenant American School International, the PAO and IRCD paid a
visit to the school to make a presentation on Black History Month.
The school serves pre-school through Grade 12 students and the
English curriculum is based on the American system of education. In
her speech, the PAO pointed out the importance of Black History
Month as it offers the opportunity to pay tribute to the
contribution of African Americans to American history and to
motivate students to follow their positive examples. Taking the
example of President Barack Obama, she encouraged the students to
work hard in order to fulfill their dreams.
4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Promotion of Education
and Mutual Understanding. Approximately one hundred students,
teachers and parents attended the two events.
5. ACTIVITIES/IMPACT/RESULT: Black History Month celebration at
NCASI included a PAO presentation on the school premises and a film
screening at the American Cultural Center's IRC.
On February 19, the PAO went to the New Covenant American School to
deliver a talk about Black History Month and lessons to be drawn
from the African American history. Using the election of President
Barack Obama as the first African American elected President of the
United States as evidence of the advances in American society and
the result of personal preparation, the PAO encouraged the young
people to have dreams and work hard to fulfill them. When asked what
they want to be when they grow up, several of the children responded
that they wanted to become a President. The PAO emphasized that
such lofty dreams would mean the students would have to apply
themselves diligently to their studies.
As a follow up of this meeting at the school, the PAO invited
students and teachers to a film screening of "Akeelah and the Bee,"
which was shown at the American Cultural Center on March 4, 2009. At
the end of the film, the PAO held a short spelling contest and
presented gift books to the Director of the School. Participants
enjoyed the film and the Director of the School expressed his
appreciation of this initiative from the Public Affairs Section
(PAS). He promised to work closely with PAS for more educational
activities.
6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: None
7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. The visit to the school and
the film screening at the IRC paved the way for future exchanges and
gave the opportunity for teachers and parents to know more about the
American Cultural Center's offerings, especially the library. After
the visit, many of the participants submitted their request to be
registered as library members.
BROWN