August 25, 2006
U.S. Embassy News Release

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Paul W. Jones
Focuses on Education During Visit to Zamboanga City

 

               Showing the depth of U.S. Government commitment to the Zamboanga area, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Paul W. Jones visited Zamboanga City on Friday, August 25 to view the many partnerships and initiatives the U.S. Government works on in the city – especially those in education.  “I’m thrilled to return to Zamboanga City, where the American people support a wide range of programs to benefit Zamboangan families,” says Chargé Jones.  “All have in common one goal:  to create prosperity through improvements in education, health care, business growth, and security. "

Chargé Jones was a guest speaker at the Tudlo Mindanao Project, a teacher training program conducted by the U.S. Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development for Mindanao teachers.  The teachers received free training on how to teach academic subjects in English, as well as learn information and communication technology.  These teachers then will return to their schools and train other teachers in the techniques they learned.  Over the next few years, the project will have trained more than a thousand teachers.

He also visited the Culianan Learning Center, a school that receives support from the American people.  Chargé Jones toured the school in January, when he met a Grade 5 student in a wheelchair that was broken and ill-fitting.  Chargé Jones promised to find the young man a new wheelchair – and today presented his new friend with a custom-made wheelchair.

Chargé Jones joined Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat in a tour of the U.S. Government-sponsored HIV/AIDS Sentinel Surveillance Site at the Zamboanga City Social Hygiene Clinic.  With American support, Zamboanga City has embarked on a robust HIV/AIDS education, outreach, and control program.

               During his visit, Chargé Jones also met with local Chamber of Commerce officers to discuss the business climate and economic prosperity.  He noted that the U.S. Embassy would be represented during the upcoming Mindanao Business Conference.

Ateneo de Zamboanga University hosted Chargé Jones to talk with students and tour the U.S. Embassy-sponsored American Studies Resource Center, where students can find books and materials about the United States, attend programs on global issues, and participate in Internet chats with U.S. Embassy staff.

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