US-supported English-language alumni help clean Karachi’s beaches

Karachi 

Over 50 alumni and teachers of the US government-funded English Access Microscholarship Programme (Access) came together earlier today to clean Karachi’s beaches. 

American and Pakistani volunteers, including US Consul General Brian Heath and incoming Consul General Grace Shelton, joined the young volunteers in the clean-up, said a statement issued by the Public Affairs Office of the American Consulate.

“Today’s event has showed the value of keeping this city clean, and the shared role we all can play in improving our communities,” said Consul General Heath while talking to the volunteers.

“We can learn a lot from the civic spirit of these young volunteers who are helping to keep Karachi’s beaches clean for everyone to enjoy.” 

In advance of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s third “Our Ocean” conference September 15-16, Americans and Pakistanis came together to highlight the joint commitment to protecting the ocean and fighting marine pollution.  

The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access), a two-year after-school English-language proficiency program, trains talented 13-20 year olds from disadvantaged communities. 

Throughout the world, the Access Program has reached over 115,000 students in 80+ countries. When Access came to Pakistan in 2004, it first began in Karachi and has reached over 13,000 students in Pakistan to date. 

Through community service projects like the beach clean-up, Access students develop awareness of social problems in their own communities. They also develop positive civic attitudes, empathy for the less privileged, and youth leadership skills.