"Out of Many, One" is a befitting idea of my experience as an international visitor to the United States from The Gambia and the specially designed program for girl serving organisations.
Chronicles of an International Visitor
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S.
Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Launched in
1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual
understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed
short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign
leaders.
"Girl Scouts and Girl Guides: Building and Developing Capacity for Girl-Serving Organizations" is a multi-regional project designed for individuals like myself who work with girls to develop their leadership skills and encourage them to take more active leadership roles in their communities. 23 ladies from 23 different countries- a truly diverse and multi-cultural group.
 |
Saluting Sarah Winnemucca, Nevada as a Defender
of Human Rights, Educator and Author of first book
by native woman. |
This visit reflect our professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. From October 31 to November 18 we will explore the benefits and challenges of developing girls' leadership skills in American civil society and share perspectives on how this is done in our home countries. By examining the roles of both non-formal education such as the Girl Scouts and community-based partner organizations that encourage girls to participate in community-building activities, the project will demonstrate the benefits of girls' leadership projects.
 |
Sitting on Albert Einstein
|
 |
| Plan of Washington DC |
Our Journey starts in Washington, the nation's capital. A city that clearly illustrates the central element of America "E Pluribus unum" (Out of Many, One). Established by the Constitution of the United States. A "City of Compromise" along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
Saluting inspiring and
amazing people like Martin Luther King Jr.
 |
Stone of Despair
|
 |
| Out of the Mountain of Despair, Stone of Hope |
 |
| Exact Spot where MLK gave his "I Have a dream" Speech |
From Washington to Seattle, Texas to Albany and New York- we start an amazing journey. A period of possibilities. Of getting a sense of what is truly American and to share with a plethora of people who have one thing in common- a passion for girls.This is why the IVLP is important but more so this special program.- a quest to create more opportunities to girls and young women.
 |
Potrait of Lucretta Moot, Elizabeth Cady Staton and Susan B. Anthony
Pioneers of women's suffrage
|
One thing that keep us going as Martin Luther King said in 1959 is to- Make a career of humanity, commit ourselves to the noble struggle for equal rights, we will make a greater person of ourselves, a greater nation of our country and a finer world to live in.
 |
| Me at the White House |
