Embassy Highlights
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President George W. Bush Malaria Awareness Day | The Chargé, Mrs. Boustani presenting a mosquito net. |
On October 10, 2008, the Government of Benin celebrated President Bush Malaria Awareness Day, which symbolizes the solidarity between the American and the Beninese people. In June 2005, President Bush launched the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), a five-year $1.2 billion program to combat malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African nations, which includes Benin. Already, PMI is saving lives and spreading hope. Aid from the American taxpayers has reached more than 6 million Africans. Through this program, millions of people will receive lifesaving medicines, sprays and bed nets as the program expands. Here in Benin, PMI was launched in February 2008 and, out of the amount of $13.9 million allotted for this year, the program has reached 70% of its objectives. The US Government believes that every life, in every land, has value and dignity. On this Malaria Awareness Day, American people look to the millions of lives threatened by this disease, and reaffirm their commitment to saving them.
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Alumni Day Celebration
| PAO Rhonda Watson giving an interview. |
On September 27, 2008, PAS Cotonou organized an Alumni Day on the premises of the American Cultural Center in Cotonou. This first activity of the alumni project was an overwhelmingly successful event. Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown’s opening remarks at the event gave a global overview of the significant role that former Exchange Alumni play in the world and set the stage for the diversified program that followed. Alumni from various programs took part in the event, which included: experience sharing among Alumni, introduction to the State Alumni Website and the registration process, a book discussion on controlling corruption, a discussion of the Alumni’s involvement in the Ambassador’s Road Safety project. The Alumni were invited to stay after the formal program to view a rebroadcast of the first U.S. presidential debate of the 2008 campaign.
Art Exhibition "Hand in Hand", September 4, 2008
| .A participant admiring the art work. |
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Peace Corps in Benin, the American Cultural Center hosted the opening session of an Art Exhibition entitled “Hand in Hand” on September 4, 200. The works of Pauline Adjavon, Donata Ghiglia and Julien Degan were presented. All three artists have many years of experience in creating art and have lived and exchanged with Peace Corps volunteers in the field of health, environment and education.
The opening session of the art exhibition was well attended and participants included Ambassador Gayleatha Brown, the Peace Corps Director and Regional Director, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Beninese Government Officials, artists and the public at large. The event was also covered by the major media outlets in Benin, resulting in the publication of print articles and the broadcast of radio and TV reports that favored the artists’ promotion.
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