U.S. Provides Over $300,000 to American Community School Students For Education and Equipment Support

December 3, 2009

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon, Thomas F. Daughton with ACS students.

On December 3, 2009 the U.S. government presented $305,894 to the American Community School (ACS) to directly support its student financial aid program.   Fifty-one ACS students with demonstrable financial need from all over Lebanon will be given scholarships with these funds, made available through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Without this assistance, these students would not be able to study at ACS.  In addition, a portion of the United States' financial support for ACS will support the purchase of much needed technology upgrades at the school – including digital cameras, computers – as well as equipment to support ACS's innovative 'Outdoor Education' program, which takes students out of the classroom to explore and learn about nature and the environment.

Speaking at the event, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon, Thomas F. Daughton stressed the importance of providing education to Lebanese youth:  “The United States believes deeply that an investment in Lebanon’s young people is an investment in the future prosperity of Lebanon.”

Over the past ten years, the U.S. government has supported ACS and other American educational institutions in Lebanon with grants for financial aid and other educational equipment.  The United States' support for the Lebanese students reflects the inherent value the U.S. government places in educating youth.