The K-L YES Program is funded by the US State Department and Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the United States of America. It is a one-year scholarship program for high school students ages 15-17.5years old coming from countries with significant Muslim population such as Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Kenya, Ghana and a lot more. Every year, the program sends different outstanding students to the USA to promote understanding and intercultural exchange between them and Americans. The students live with an American host family, study in an American high school, and are provided with financial support during their stay in the US.
In the Philippines, the program is administered by the AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines (AFS IPP). On September 13, 2014, the AFS IPP, represented by Froskhan Abdurahim (AFS IPP Sending Programs Manager & YES Alum 2005- 06) and Mahid Macadato (AFS IPP Volunteer & Chapter Development & Alumni Programs Coordinator & YES Alum 2004- 05), conducted the regional screening for K-L YES Program in the Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall, Ateneo de Zamboanga University. There were 40 shortlisted applicants of which 23 were from Basilan and 17 from Zamboanga. The event was organized and facilitated by K-L YES alumni of AFS Zamboanga Peninsula Chapter led by Fatima Rona S. Halud, the chapter president & YES alum 2009-10, in partnership with Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) through its American Corner Director, Ms. Florinda Tabanao.
The screening was conducted the entire day where individual interviews were held by a panel consisting of Froskhan Abdurahim, Florinda Tabanao, Ahmad-Dhen Majuddin and Fatima Rona Halud. There were also two sets of essay, a quiz and a group discussion & presentation which were all administered and facilitated by the alumni.
Prior to the event, 140 applications were cast from Zamboanga and Basilan which were screened and shortlisted to 40 who qualified for this regional screening.
This regional screening’s result is expected to be posted in afs.org.ph, the partner’s website, and social media on the first week of November. The applicants who will make it will advance to the national screening which is tentatively scheduled on November 18-23, 2014 in Manila.
