Extending helping arms across the globe

Manama

 Young Bahrainis will now have a chance to travel to help poor, struggling communities all over the world.  Bahrainis will have the opprtunity to join a unique community development internship programme "to drive impact globally".

 The programme known as LEAP, helps youngsters from Bahrain go to various parts of the world to help participate in social development projects. LEAP programme is organized annually at various points of the year, with the largest participation expected in the summer months.

 In the programme, youngsters will be allowed to take part in community development projects with goals such as; improving literacy, eradicating poverty, promoting human rights, improving health and sanitation and promoting sustainable living.

 AIESEC Bahrain, the organization responsible for the leap programme, states, “the LEAP Program is designed for students and recent graduates (18-30 years old), to give them the opportunity to travel abroad and participate in social development projects for 6-8 weeks, for them to develop and enhance their global perspective, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills."

 Talking to DT news, AIESEC Bahrain said that a new batch of youngsters would be able to participate in the programme by the end of this month. "We are aiming at sending 130 to 200 people this summer. The largest team is going to Oman because we have a special programme for those going to Oman. Other popular destinations for LEAP programme are Turkey, China and India. " said LEAP Programme Director Hussain AlJa'afari.

 He said that participating in the LEAP programme would help the youth to expand their comfort zone. "It will make you more open-minded and help you gain a better understanding of the world that we live in." He added that there will be a seminar about the programme on 16th June and that the programme's summer batch will leave on 22nd of this month. 

 Omar Farooq Al Awadi, a university student, who has participated in a previous edition of LEAP when he went to Semarang city in Indonesia to help under privileged children learn English, says "It was so cool, even though it felt a little unusual when I first went there and started living with a family I knew nothing about. I gradually adapted and started enjoying what they do and the food they ate. I taught English at a school with 150 students, it was a great experience.”