July 10, 2014
SANA’A – The U. S. Government (USG) and the America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Incorporated (AMIDEAST) hosted an Iftar to celebrate both Ramadan and their joint Promoting Youth Civic Engagement (PYCE) project. The gathering recognized the accomplishments of the project’s youth leaders and the community actors and partners who have helped support youth activities. AMIDEAST also announced the second phase of the PYCE project during the Iftar, which was sponsored by the USG’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in coordination with Yemen’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.
U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Matthew H. Tueller addressed guests at the Iftar, saying, “Youth are the future of Yemen, and the PYCE project helps them develop the necessary skills they need to lead Yemen into the future.” He continued, “PYCE also helps demonstrate the importance of service and the potential for youth to make a difference to the transition process in Yemen.”
Wednesday’s Iftar is a part of a larger series of events in which PYCE seeks to increase the ability of youth clubs and schools to demeanor and sustain the educational, volunteer and recreational opportunities that help youth civic engagement in their communities thrive.
PYCE is administered by AMIDEAST, with funding provided by USAID. PYCE has supported youth development projects in Marib, Sana’a, Aden, Lahj and Abyan and has helped increase youth activities since 2010. PYCE was recently extended through 2015, and will focus on expanding its activities in the areas of sport-for-development, vocational training, science competitions, first aid and safety instruction and natural resource conservation. All PYCE activities are planned and implemented by and for youth and are free of charge to all participants.
