American Embassy Donates Books in Arabic to Local School Children
October 4, 2009
AMMAN – In celebration of 60 years of Jordanian-American diplomatic and development ties, the American Embassy donated a set of seven books by American authors (published in Arabic through the State Department’s Arabic Book Program) to 100 schools in Al-Ramtha, northern Ghor, Ein El-Basha, southern Badia, and Aqaba.
American Ambassador Stephen Beecroft presented a representative set of books to Minister of Education H.E. Walid Ma’ani on Sunday, October 4, at the Princess Basma High School for Girls in Jubeihah. The books include well-known American children’s titles such as Seabiscuit; Sarah, Plain and Tall; and The Summer of the Swans, reflecting cross cultural themes of tolerance and perseverance. Ambassador Beecroft noted that “every child, whether American or Jordanian, can relate to these tales of discovery and adventure and of overcoming challenges and obstacles. We are pleased to be able to share these treasured stories with Jordan’s children in a gesture of appreciation for 60 years of cooperation and friendship.”
The donated books were published by regional Arab publishers, in cooperation with the Arabic Book Program of the American Embassy. Operating since 1986, the program works with local publishers to translate and publish into Arabic books in a variety of fields, including environmental protection, literature, social issues, international relations, journalism, history, science, and education. For more information about the program, please visit: http://jordan.usembassy.gov/educational_exchange/arabic-book-program.html
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