Second Rotation of Students Graduate the Access Program in Akhaltsikhe

On December 10, 2014, English Access Microscholarship Program held its second graduation ceremony in Akhaltsikhe. 25 students from socially and economically disadvantaged families that have been enrolled in the program for two years,  said good-bye to Access and promised to keep in touch, continue developing their language skills and act as mentors and advisers to the new recruits in case if the program continues.  

Access Program alumni surprised the audience with the confident and fluent speech in English expressing their gratitude for the unforgettable two-year long experience in the program and sharing their memories of the fun during summer school and enhancement activities.

Gift packages for students containing graduation certificates signed by the United States ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland together with books on famous American cities added to the joy of the graduation ceremony. “Access Program has become our family” admitted Giga Makarovi, one of the alumni, in his interview to TV9. “This program has taught us much more, than just English. We've become much more confident, determined and optimistic about the possibilities that life may have in store for us” he added.

Funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi and implemented by PH International, the Access program aims to make the study of English more accessible to adolescents from an economically disadvantaged background through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Akhaltsikhe was one of the first locations, where the Access Program started four years ago. This is the second Access graduation ceremony in the region. Currently, the program works with 250 economically-underprivileged students aged 13-16 in 10 regions of Georgia (Kutaisi, Mestia, Batumi, Telavi, Rustavi, Gori, Ambrolauri, Poti, Ozurgeti and Akhaltsikhe), providing after-school and summer English classes and enrichment activities at no cost to the students and enhancing English language skills thereby developing increased self-confidence, stronger critical thinking skills, and increased opportunities for study and employment. While working on their language skills, the participants become familiar with various aspects of US and western values and culture and develop their leadership and interpersonal skills.