Visit to Amman Baccalaureate School

Today we (the video crew and I) visited the Amman Baccalaureate School. The ABS is an institution that has been a project of HRH Princess Sarvath since it began in the early 1980's. For a number of years, the Ambassador Foundation volunteers served in differing capacities at ABS or its affiliate projects. More recently, we have had 6 volunteers serve here over the past 3 years (Matthew and Maryann Bates, Lewis VanAusdle, Zach Smith, and currently Audrey Bauer and Eduardo Elizond0). In the summer of 2008, we had 9 volunteers that served at two summer projects--one of which was the Kindergarten Day Camp in a rural town in southern Jordan that was sponsored by ABS.

Mr. Stuart Bryan, the new principle of ABS, gave Clay, Clint and I a personal tour of the entire campus. We had Mr. Bryan set up with a mobile microphone--and the two cinematographers took plenty of footage of the classes and programs, while getting personal comment from the principle! It was a wonderful tour along with background of the Royal Family (particularly HRH Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath) have been committed to the growth and quality of this fine instituation.

We were also able to visit the two areas our volunteers are serving--Ms. Audrey Bauer is serving in the KG (Kindergarten) area of the campus and specialized in the Media class (formerly Librarian). We were able to get some footage of Audrey (which will show up in the video being produced about UYCorps) and she was doing a wonderful job. In addition, we visited Eduardo Elizondo (with his boss!) in the Finance Department of the School. Eduardo is assisting them with thier entire accounting system, and will be coaching the ABS girls JV Footbal (soccer) team!

We were also able to catch up to a long time friend of the Ambassador Foundation volunteers and our UYCorps program, Mr. Abdel Razzaq Najjar. We interviewed Abdel Razzaq in his office in the Sports complex, and were able to get some personal perspective from him of his relationship with our volunteers over the years. Abdel works with many of the alumni programs and the volunteer, public service, and outreach programs that ABS sponsors for their students involvement.

This afternoon, after the others get back from their classes, we all plan to take a rental van up the ancient Decapolis city of Jerash. We'll spend a few hours there before sunset and visit the ancient Roman ruins, before getting a bite to each and heading back to Amman this evening after sunset. Tomorrow we visit the Royal Palace and will have an audience with HRH Princess Sarvath--which we look forward to!

~D. Horchak