Anne Casper paid a visit to Gitega American Corner on Tuesday, 16 January 2018. She was with Christopher Smith (Public Affairs Officer) and Rafael Foley (Acting Director of Department of State’s office of Central African Affairs).
Anne Casper and Rafael Foley inside of the American Corner Gitega
Speaking to the audience, Mr Foley emphasized the role played by the American Corners in helping learners of English as second or foreign language.
Some young people who spoke to Iwacu say the center is very helpful to them
with the integration of Burundi within the EAC given that English is the main language used in the community and therefore a valuable asset for them.
“American corner helps us improve our speaking and reading skills and be used to the American accent,” said Izere Ange Vicka, a student at Gitega International Academy. She also called on her fellow young people to regularly attend it “to come out of their shell”.
As for Marcel, an old man who lives in Karera quarter, he says he attends the center to learn entrepreneurship and English for business purposes.
Martin Luther King American Corner Gitega started operating in 2012 and is in partnership with Iwacu Press Group and its activities are supported by the US Embassy in Burundi. It allows young people to read, use the internet for free, learn English and offers entrepreneurship lessons.
IWACU Open Data
