On May 15, 2014, one hundred and eleven English Access Microscholarship Program students were honored in a graduation ceremony at Azalaï Hôtel Independance in Ouagadougou. These students participated in a two-year program funded by the United States government in which they received 378 hours of supplementary English courses and educational activities. The students came from the following schools in Ouagadougou: Lycée Privé Bayane, Lycée Marien N’Gouabi, Lycée Technique Amilcar Cabral, Lycée Mixte de Gounghin, and Lycée Bamabata. Ambassador of the United States to Burkina Faso, Dr. Tulinabo Mushingi, presided over this ceremony organized in collaboration with the American Language Center, which ensured the training for the students. In addition to their certificates, students received dictionaries and books. Parents and school officials were in attendance to celebrate the students’ accomplishment. The English Access Microscholarship Program is the largest and most successful outreach program of the American Embassy for engaging and developing the capacities of Burkinabe youth through English teaching and educational, cultural, and personal development activities. Burkina Faso now counts 660 students who have completed the Access Program.
