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."
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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