Press release
The Embassy of the United States of America in The Gambia is pleased to announce the selection of three extraordinary young Gambian secondary school students and their teacher chaperone for participation in the 2018 Pan-African Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP). This fully-funded three-week program will take place from August 4 – August 25, 2018 at various colleges, universities, and institutions throughout the United States.
The young scholars are Nyajay Satta Braima, Fatima Samateh, and Ebrima Juwara, representing respectively: Tahir, Nasir and Nusrat Senior Secondary Schools. The adult participant, Mr. Draman Janneh, represents Armitage Senior Secondary School. They were selected from among almost 100 students from U.S. Embassy Banjul’s educational networks across the country.
The PAYLP program will host approximately 150 youth and adult participants selected from across Africa through a competitive and rigorous application process.
The Gambian scholars recently participated in an orientation session at the U.S. Embassy. Senior staff at the Embassy briefed the participants, congratulated them and wished them well in what should be a life-changing experience. Participants are urged to apply their experiences in service to their communities when they return.
Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) supports U.S. foreign policy priorities by offering secondary school youth (ages 15-18) and adult educators the opportunity to explore priority policy themes such as conflict resolution, economic development, entrepreneurship, civic education, youth leadership, women’s rights, and respect for diversity.
Participants will engage in workshops on leadership and service, community site visits related to the program themes and subthemes, interactive training on conflict resolution, presentations, visits to high schools, local cultural activities, and homestays with local American families. Participants are encouraged to develop follow-on community-based projects in their home communities to effect positive change on their return.
The scholars will leave Banjul for the United States in August.
