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On April 14th in Washington, DC, Neila Baumiliene from the KFF and Arminas Vareika who is managing foundation's "Basketball Power" program, met with the American Councils team Nathan Truitt, Catharine Wilson, Pamela Levy, Margaret Goelz and Adam Zeender.
A. Vareika introduced the "Basketball Power" program to the American Councils, while N. Baumiliene shared work that the Kazickas Family Foundation is involved in.
American Councils believe that global perspective enhances learning. From developing the first exchanges of Eurasian and American students and teachers, to current initiatives supporting collaborative education between the U.S., Middle East, South America, Asia, and Africa, American Councils delivers meaningful overseas experiences that create well-informed, empowered individuals. The Kazickas Family Foundation helped to establish ExCEL Abroad by making a three-year grant to American Councils to develop ExCEL into a true exchange of both Lithuanian and American high school students.
Ways to work more closely together in the future were brainstormed during the meeting. Kevin Reiling, American Councils director in Lithuania, will meet with Arminas Vareika in Vilnius to discuss potential collaboration between ExCEL and FLEX alumni and the "Basketball Power" program.
Program participants serve as “youth ambassadors” of the United States. Last year ExCEL Abroad student from Texas Emma Maxwell volunteerd with the "Basketball Power" program teaching English not just the kids, but program's manager Arminas Vareika as well. At the mean time, children were teaching Emma some beautiful words in Lithuanian. "Being here with ExCEL Abroad and working with "Krepšinio Galia" (Basketball Power) has been an amazing experience. I am so grateful to have this opportunity. Labai ačiū jums! (Thank you so much)," shares Emma.
KFF is honored to be partners with the American Councils!