AMBASSADOR PRESENTS AWARDS TO ART AND ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS

Children from Makongo Primary School being Awarded. On the eve of U.S. Independence Day on July 4, the United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam partnered with Tanzanian youth through several outreach programs that celebrate their ideas and potential as future leaders of Tanzania.On June 25, Ambassador Lenhardt hosted an award ceremony at the U.S. Embassy for six Tanzanian youth winners of an essay contest titled "What Democracy Means to Me," and an art contest titled "The Leader I Admire." The Ambassador congratulated and presented certificates and cash awards to the winners, who included English Access Micro-scholarship Program students Lisa Geophrey, John D. Tinuga, and Ninah Mangesho for the essay contest. The Access Program's length is two years and aims to improve English language skills in talented students between the ages of 14 through 18. The art contest winners included Makongo Primary School students Pascal Timothy, Daniel Charles, and Laurent Haji - all of whom selected Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere as the leader they admired most and painted pictures of him. The winning essays and paintings will be featured as centerpieces at the Ambassador's Fourth of July reception. In his remarks, Ambassador Lenhardt noted, "this is indeed an exciting and challenging time to be a Tanzanian youth . . . we believe in you. You will carry Tanzania into the middle of this century and that is no small responsibility. And you have already demonstrated that you are preparing for it by focusing on your education." https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151087311171929.500103.137553061928&type=3

Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt with student winners of the art and essay contests, their parents and mentors throughout the project at the U.S. Embassy on June 25, 2012.

Tanzanian artist Shama Jaffer (second from right), who mentored the three winners of the art competition.

Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt presents award certificate and check to one of the three top winners of the art contest.

Public Affairs Officer Dana L. Banks welcomes guests to the U.S. Embassy on June 25, 2012 http://tanzania.usembassy.gov/pr_06262012.html Press Release. More USA Embassy Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151853711215483.865053.538625482&type=1