ARO received funding under the U.S. State Department’s “English Access Microscholarship Program” (Access Program) for 2006 and 2007 school years.  The Access Program will fund $33,750.00 over a two-year period to support instruction (teacher salaries), supplies and activities for 150 high school-age students currently attending school with ARO.  The program specifies each student will receive 240 hours of instruction per year, which is equal to 5 hours per week for 48 weeks.

ARO will provide program and financial reports to assure the donor that they are meeting the program guidelines and requirements. 

Funding is still needed to support vocational and other literacy programs; however, this donation is significant support for the overall educational effort.

The English Access program is intended to promote cultural understanding, and to prepare older students for opportunities, such as overseas educational scholarships.  The program emphasizes teacher training and improved classroom materials, to assist ongoing educational efforts.

The 45 countries participating in the English Access Microscholarship Program in 2006 are: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cambodia, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Gaza, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, West Bank, and Yemen.