5th English Access Programme gets under way

In honour of the launch of the 5th English Access Microscholarship Program in Karachi, US Consulate officials and evaluation staff welcomed 150 new students.

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

“The Access Program was created to give youth the opportunity to develop excellent English language and leadership skills,” stated keynote speaker Maria Snarski, the US Embassy Regional Education and Language Officer.  “These skills prepare them for higher education, better employment opportunities, and connect them with the global community.”

Throughout the world, the Access Program has reached over 115,000 students in 80 plus countries. Access came to Pakistan in 2004 and has since reached over 13,000 Pakistani students. 

Through community service projects, 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. 

Beyond Karachi, the program is scheduled to be launched in Sukkur and Hyderabad in the coming weeks. The Sukkur event will be a combined launch for three districts: Sukkur, Naushahro Feroze, and, for the first time, Khairpur.