Cablegate: Bahrain Voluntary Visitor Fy-05 "Volunteerism And
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
141403Z Nov 05
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