News >Access Alumni Mini-Grants Ceremony

In a virtual ceremony hosted by Teach For Lebanon (TFL) on January 17, 2022, the Alumni component of the Access Program celebrated the three Mini-Grant projects completed in 2021: Learners Do Matter, Women Entrepreneurship Hub, and House of Mastery. Rodaina Bou Shaheen, TFL’s Access Alumni Coordinator, led the ceremony, with the US’s Regional English Language Officer Eran Williams giving the introductory remarks, followed by a word by Edith Bitar, Cultural Affairs Assistant at the US Embassy in Beirut, and one by George El Assad, Access Program Director.

The majority of the attendees were Access Alumni and the audience was treated to five-minute videos highlighting each of the three initiatives. The five Access Alumni expressed their gratitude to the US Embassy for providing them with the chance of sponsoring their grants, and to TFL as well for the close mentorship and assistance it extended to them throughout the process.

Subsequently, the Access Alumni Coordinator restated the guidelines for the second round of Mini-Grant proposals called for on December 15, 2021 and closed on January 20, 2022, then asked the audience to engage in a Q&A session.

Drawing to an end, TFL's CEO, Salyne El Samarany, wrapped up the ceremony with a note emphasizing the value of the Access Mini-Grants program in bringing out the best in Access Alumni in manifesting leadership and community service, as well as in learning project management skills of valuable benefit both to themselves and their target audience.