The Youth Solidarity and English Language (YSEL) program just entered its final week of camp in Debre Zeyit, Ethiopia. For the last three weeks, 44 teenagers from the 11 diverse regions that make up Ethiopia have joined together to work on their English, develop leadership skills, and build solidarity. This is the pilot program for what American Councils hopes to be an annual summer opportunity for Ethiopian youth.
“We’re very happy for how these 44 young men and women have come together and are learning so much in the classrooms, as well as from each other. The last day of camp is going to be a tough day for all of us. We have really become like a family, especially the students,” says Tom Toomey, YSEL Camp Director.
Students spend six days a week studying a variety of subjects, from public speaking to U.S. history and world geography. Beyond traditional academics, students are learning through project design, theater, conflict resolution, and urban gardening. Eight volunteers from the Peace Corps—who are native English speakers—serve as the YSEL teaching team.
This experience is mutually gratifying for both teachers and students. “Being a teacher for these students has been the most rewarding period of my Peace Corps service to date,” commented teacher Kristen Rosen.
Student Gnajuok John of the Gambela region says: “For me YSEL camp is very good because it teaches me how to communicate with other people from different regions… how to live with different people and be responsible for ourselves. Like in the dining hall, I learned to clean up after myself. I’ve improved my English, reading and writing skills. After camp, I will continue with my reading and I will teach other people in my region. I need to pass on my experience to other students.”
Soon, students will return home and share their YSEL experience with others and put all that they have learned to good use in their communities. At camp, students created potential community service projects that can be used back home. Project themes include youth development, tutoring for 11th grade preparation, HIV/AIDS, and human trafficking awareness. All YSEL students have joined the YSEL-Ethiopia page on Facebook to stay connected once camp has ended.
Details about camp activities and photos are on the YSEL blog.We wish our inaugural YSEL-Ethiopia all the best in the future and congratulate them on their success this past month.