press releases

American Corner Celebrates First Anniversary

Kitwe
June 22, 2006

On June 14, 2005, the first American Corner was officially opened in Kitwe, Zambia. In the one year since its establishment, the American Corner has been a multi-functional programming platform that has provided a window on U.S. government, history and culture, to the youth, women and children of the Copper-belt. It therefore, has served as an intellectual asset to the people of the Copper belt.

The Corner has showcased vibrant programs that each attracted 30-40 participants and has had a total of nearly 3,000 visitors since inception. The American Corner was established by the U.S. Embassy at a cost of $50,000. It is a partnership between the U.S. embassy in Zambia and the host institution – Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation.

In celebrating the first anniversary of the American Corner, the U.S. Embassy and the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation hosted an official event on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at the Mindolo premises. The event also recognized the 230th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.

The U.S. Embassy chose to place the first American Corner in Zambia, in Kitwe, because the Copperbelt is Zambia’s second-largest population base. The American Corner is designed to serve all the people on the Copperbelt and the surrounding provinces, including university and high school students, professionals, businessmen and women, and any community member who wants to gain a better understanding of the United States, its culture and society. The U.S. Embassy is also looking into the possibility of establishing another American Corner in another province yet to be identified in Zambia.

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