Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Qatar’s Her Highness Sheika Moza Bint Nasser Visit to P.S. 368



On Thursday, September 20, 2012 our students at P.S. 368 were graced by a visit by Her Highness Sheika Moza.

Qatar is a monarchy and Her Heighness is the wife of His Highness the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Over the past 15 years in her role as Her Highness, Sheikh Moza has worked hard on education and social reform in the nation of Qatar.

Qatar’s Her Highness supports GLP’s classes, through her role as Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development that helps fund GLP.


Her Highness with students at PS 368



Last week was the first time that she visited one of the Arabic programs supported by Qatar Foundation International.  An impressionable experience for our students, parents, administrators and staff - the visit highlighted the growth of our program and also was an offshoot of the school community and GLP’s mission to support and foster 21st century students.

GLP’s very first program was at P.S.368.  We started by teaching Spanish and Mandarin to 30 third graders.  In less than three years, we have grown the program to serve all 243 students at P.S. 368. This will ensure that all students who graduate from the school will have an opportunity to learn a language.  This is no small feat in a community where 100% of students receive free or reduced lunch and in a community that has been ravaged by unemployment and the shrinking job market.

In the face of these obstacles we are demonstrating to these students that they can still dream bigger than their current circumstances.
  We are also demonstrating that people around the globe not only believe in them but also support them in their quest to be successful global citizens. 

This sounds great, but actions speak louder than words.  Qatar’s Her Highness asked that we keep her visit at a low profile.  She wanted to meet the students, talk to them and, yes, sit on the floor and help them practice their Arabic.   It was amazing to see how the students immediately gravitated to her warm personality.

Below are highlights from the visit:

 

Qatar’s first lady is a passionate education advocate. In our meeting she was eager to learn more about the State of Education in New York City and our work with Global Language Project to ensure that students receive a global education.

Sheikha Mozah has joined with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to launch his new Education First initiative, announcing new commitments to a campaign aimed at providing education to 61 million children around the world who are not in school.

I meant so much to GLP when Qatar's Her Highness said to me, “You know, you are changing lives."

Our gratitude goes out to Qatar’s Her Highness, her staff and the entire Qatar Foundation International team their continued support in our mission to create the next generation of global citizens!

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