American Club lecture on “TIME MANAGEMENT” | Mr. Tekest along with the audience |
“Time Management” presented by Eritrean Private Businessman, Mr. Tekeste Asgedom, was the topic of the monthly American Club event on July 31, 2008. Over 150 participants attended. The audience listened with rapt attention while he described “Time Management “as “YOU.”
Explaining TIME he stated that “Time is something that you don’t have the power of, it can’t go back, can’t steal it or do anything about it. You just have to know how to use it efficiently and control it”. He noted that by managing yourself and not the time you can be organized and can do quality work. He identified many time wasters including procrastination and a cluttered desk. His discussion included setting objectives and priorities, reducing interruptions, reading productively and improving memory, the adverse effects of working long hours, the wasteful nature of travel meetings, the impact of stress on health and the usefulness of time logs. He highlighted the performance of High leverage activities as compared to Low leverage activities. Further to his presentation he also stressed that we should have the courage to say ‘No” for more work in order to preserve quality in our work. Quantity and effectiveness are not the same. Mr. Tekeste’s lecture was followed by a lively question-and-answer period with the audience, a wide range of questions such as the impact of “Time Management” in developing countries such as Eritrea. The American Club next event, on Thursday August 28, with feature Dr. Tadesse Mehari on the topic “The Role of Bio-technology in developing Agriculture and attaining food security.”
U. S. Embassy Asmara Co-Sponsored Wood and Metal artifacts | | Artist Robel explaining his works to the Ambassador |
Robel Tesfay Wood and Metal exhibition “Asmarino’s Ingenuity” opened on Friday July 25, at The Gallery in Asmara. Robel described this show as the relationship between arts and nature. As his theme says, it displays the wise use of local resources. This exhibition was partially sponsored by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy Asmara. Mr. Matthew Smith, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy on his speech greeted the crowd, congratulated and appreciated the young artist for his creative work. The U.S. Embassy frequently sponsors art exhibitions in order to motivate young Eritrean artists to promote the Eritrean art and culture. The art exhibition will run through August 2, 2008.
Ambassador Attends Graduation of Women Assisted by U.S. Self-Help Grant | The Graduates of St. Lucy of Filippini's programs |
 | Ambassador McMullen with Graduates |
On July 5, the U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission attended a graduation ceremony at the St. Lucy Filippini School of Home Economics and assisted in distributing diplomas to women who had successfully completed the six-month certificate and two-year diploma sewing and home economic courses. The U.S. Embassy supported the school’s 2008 programs with an Ambassador’s Self-Help grant used to purchase sewing machines and supplies. The school’s programs, which have been operating for 12 years, focus on empowering women, and target widows, single mothers, and destitute women, particularly those trying to support families. The school offers several programs: a two-year course to include training in sewing, home management, hygiene, health education, childcare, cooking, and English language skills, as well as shorter six-month certificate courses in areas of home management and sewing/embroidery. Since the school opened, approximately 500 women have received training.
Computer Resources Management Workshop for Librarians | | Mr. Kiflom advices efficient use of the computer |
On July 7, the U.S. Embassy’s America Center hosted a 3-hour workshop targeted at librarians and other professionals to familiarize them with computer resources management practices and the many multimedia tools available to the public. Mr. Kiflom Michael, a guest lecturer from the Ministry of Education, directed the workshop which began with his informative presentation demonstrating the variety of multimedia tools and resources available to individuals in today’s Information Age. Mr. Kiflom noted that to keep pace with the rest of the world, multimedia professionals need to remain current with new developments in multimedia resources. His presentation was followed by a question and answer period and open discussion among workshop participants. A total of 157 professionals from different ministries, religious institutions, teachers, librarians, and library and archive students attended the workshop.
Health Fair in Keren, Sponsored by U.S. Embassy, Asmara | | Ambassador McMullen making an introductory speech to the crowd |
On June 28, the U.S. Ambassador and U.S. Embassy staff members sponsored a highly successful Health Fair in Keren in partnership with the Ministry of Health, local medical care providers and local city and zoba administrators. At the event, Keren medical and health professionals provided free and voluntary HIV/AIDS testing, hemoglobin testing, diabetes testing, women’s/children’s health screening, and vision/hearing testing. Over 600 participants came from several different regions to this event, thanks to the excellent advertising and logistical support of Keren’s local administrators.
Presidential Message, Independence Day 2008I send greetings to all Americans on Independence Day. More than two centuries ago, bold and courageous visionaries pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in signing the Declaration of Independence. Guided by ancient and eternal truths, our forefathers proclaimed to the world that liberty was the natural right of all mankind and in doing so began one of the greatest chapters in human history. On the Fourth of July, our country commemorates the great achievements of these heroes and reaffirms its unwavering confidence in the power of freedom. It was the desire for freedom that inspired our Founding Fathers, and it is the belief in the universality of freedom that guides our Nation. On this occasion, we pay special tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces, both past and present, who have answered freedom's call and defended the values that make America the greatest country on earth. May God bless America. GEORGE W. BUSH
Resources from Red Sea | | Dr. Tesfamariam during his lively discussion |
The Public Affair’s Office hosted the monthly American Club lecture at the Eritro-German Auditorium on June 26, 2008. The topic was “Resources from the Red Sea” by Dr. Tesfamariam Yoseph, Private Consultancy, in Asmara. Dr. Tesfamariam stated to the audience his practical experience in the Red Sea with regards to different sponges, coral, and coral reefs. The lecture’s purpose was to familiarize the audience with what resources Eritrea has in the Red Sea, and the potential benefits. Audiences were fascinated by his knowledge and experiences. The audience consisted of over 150 people that included students and professionals from the College of Health Science, Eritrea Nursing School and Orota Hospital. The American club event lasted over two hours and participants engaged Dr. Tesfamariam in a very lively question and answer session regarding the hopes and concerns of the resources in the Red Sea. The American Club’s next event, on Thursday July 31, will feature Mr. Tekeste Asgedom on the topic “Time Management.”
U.S. Embassy Donates Medical Equipment | U.S. Embassy nurse Barbara Gregory presents
equipment to Dr. Haile Hailemelekot |
 | Ambassador and Mrs. McMullen with Eritrean, U.S.
and UN health professionals |
On June 24, U.S. Embassy personnel presented medical equipment to the Mendefera Referral Hospital. The equipment, purchased through a U.S. Embassy self-help grant, will be used in the hospital’s obstetrical/ gynecological unit, and will support the unit’s efforts in correcting obstetric fistula in local women. This donation of equipment supports the partnership between the local hospital, the Ministry of Health, the UN’s Population Fund (UNFPA), U.S. company Johnson and Johnson, and a team of U.S. physician volunteers who travel several times a year to Eritrea to perform fistula surgeries.
Book Exhibition at American Center | | The audience while observing the books |
The Public Affairs office in Asmara held its first Book Exhibition on June 21, 2008. The aim of the exhibition was to introduce the public new book arrivals for the American Center (IRC) and the three American corners. Julie McClanahan, Public Affairs Director, and the American Center Coordinator made opening remarks about the American Center programs and courses, and the new resources that are now available. The program included readings from three children about the importance of water and wind as well as the impact of reading on a personal level. Wyatt McMullen, a summer hire spoke about the importance of reading and showcased some of his favorite books. Over 300 adults and 200 children were present at the exhibition. The adult guests included individuals from Ministry Offices, Embassies, NGOs, teachers and librarians.
U.S. Ambassador Marching in Martyrs’ Day "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion." - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States; excerpt from Gettysburg Address Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen marches solemnly with the Eritrean people in commemoration of Eritrea’s Martyrs’ Day.
Press Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman, June 9, 2008.The United States welcomes the agreement between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia. We appreciate the efforts of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Somali civil society representatives, and members of the international community, in particular the Government of Djibouti as hosts of the talks, for their contributions to this agreement.
Please Click Here to read the complete text of the Press Statement.
The United States obligated more than $900 million to developing countries for water and sanitation activities – over $590 million of this went for drinking water supply and sanitation activities. Most importantly, the United States has delivered results on the ground. Nearly two million people received first-time access to an improved drinking water source and more than 1.5 million people received first-time access to improved sanitation services. Please Click Here to read the Media Note released by the Office of the Spokesman in Washington, DC on June 3, 2008.
Fact Sheet on Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Impasse
Ethiopia-Eritrea: U.S. Policy Towards the Border DisputeBureau for African Affairs, Washington, DC., December 6, 2007 United States policy toward the boundary impasse between Eritrea and Ethiopia is and has been for both governments to respect commitments in the Algiers Agreements, comply with relevant Resolutions of the UNSC, and engage directly to implement the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission’s (EEBC) delimitation decision and address issues that divide them.
On December 5, Secretary Rice, in Addis Ababa, reiterated that the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia should avoid any actions that might further heighten tension or reignite conflict. The United States urges both governments to cooperate with the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea in this effort.
"Peace and justice prevail when people are free to speak, assemble, and worship, when their rights are protected, and when governments are accountable to their citizens."
President George W. Bush "In countries that are not yet free, where people do not yet enjoy the benefits of freedom, it is often journalists who make the sacrifice and endure the danger to try and report to the outside ... " Secretary Condoleezza Rice
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