US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI1632

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001632 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/E, AF/PD, USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PREL, DJ 
SUBJECT: PD FACILITATES LIBRARY OPENING, ENGLISH TEACHING 
WORKSHOP 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: To cap off its December events, Post recently 
facilitated a book donation to an elementary school in one of 
Djibouti City's poorest areas. In addition, Post arranged for 
two speakers to participate in a week-long methods and best 
practices workshop for night school English teachers. Both 
events were free of cost for Post. END SUMMARY 
 
2. (U) On December 20, PAO attended the grand opening of a 
library at Balbala I, a primary school located in one of 
Djibouti City's poorest areas. About 1700 students, aged 6 to 
12, are enrolled in the school, which is one of Post's 
International Education Week partners. About 250 books in 
French were donated by a church in Canada affiliated with a 
Diplomatic Security employee who served TDY in Djibouti. PD 
identified, packaged and delivered the books and will 
continue to monitor the library's use. The school plans 
expand use of the library for teacher training and may 
qualify as an American Corners recipient due to the large 
degree of community involvement on the campus. 
 
3. (U) During the week of December 26, the English Teacher's 
Association in Djibouti hosted a methods and best practices 
workshop for night school English teachers. The workshop 
focused on teaching large classes and instruction in English 
as a second language, including creating lesson plans, using 
visual aids and experiential learning. About 25 teachers 
attended. Post arranged two "speakers of opportunity" who 
participated in each day of the 4-day workshop. Both are 
English teachers from the U.S. in town on personal business 
loosely affiliated with the Embassy. 
 
4. (U). Post found the workshop to be an effective way to 
promote both English learning and American involvement in the 
community, two activities prominent in Post's MPP. 
 
RAGSDALE