I arrived in Lebanon Friday, January 13, 2006, and the first week I visited several schools with Eliane Metni, the iEARN Lebanon Country Coordinator. While at the schools we met with administrators as well as with several teachers and students that are participating in YouthCaN Med and discussed their project plans.
Later in the week we had a wonderful dinner, hosted by Eliane, at which I met several people I will be collaborating with on projects as well as two representatives from the U.S. Embassy.
We had a brainstorming and planning meeting to outline what my focus would be during my time in Lebanon. Based on that meeting the there are two main projects I will be focusing on:
1. YouthCaN Mediterranean
2. Media/Journalism Training Program for Youth (Nabatieh)
The YouthCaN program is an established and ongoing project linking students around the world to collaborate and share environmental work.
My engagement in this project includes:
- Participating in the online course (January 23 – March 19)
- Coordinating the April 10 annual conference
- Facilitating planning meetings with representatives from participating schools
- School visits
- Organizing monthly hikes or other activities
I am excited about the hikes and the enthusiasm of the teachers I have met working on YouthCaN so far. There is a lot to be done for the conference, nothing like hitting the ground running!
The second project I am working with is a new initiative. During my first week I helped complete the MEPI small grant application for a collaborative project with Kamel Yousef Jaber’s Cultural and Social Center in Nabatieh. We met with Maria Assi, director of cultural and social activities and programs for the center, about the proposal. She has worked with the center for about 15 years and is an amazing, dynamic woman. The proposal has been submitted and we are waiting for a decision from the U.S. embassy.