KSL.com News Story

Utah students to raise money for Iraqi school

March 26th, 2010 @ 1:19pm

By Randall Jeppesen

PROVO -- Close to 250 students from across the state are learning more about Arabic and what it's like to be in the Middle East.

Provo High School is hosting Arabic Camp Day Friday, which involves students already in Arabic language studies along with those who are just starting out.

"It's becoming a really important language," says Provo High School Arabic coordinator Audrey Bastian. "It's one of the State Department's critical languages that we learn so we are able to interact with the world in a more productive way."

Students gather in the Provo High School auditorium during Arabic Camp Day Friday.

Bastian says at the camp the students will get the chance to use their Arabic language skills in a more real-life context. They also want to let the students get a better taste of Middle Eastern culture and hopefully get them excited about continuing their studies.

"A lot of these new students don't even know how to locate the Middle East on a map, so this is really making a huge difference," says Bastian.

Following the camp, the school will be hosting a benefit concert Friday night for a school in Iraq. Provo student Katie Jenkins befriended students from the Iraqi school while attending a program in Washington, D.C.

Arabic Camp Day features foods from the Middle East.

Jenkins says the school and the students are struggling, so she and her classmates are going to try and help out by providing art supplies and athletic equipment as well as raising funds to pay the school building's rent.

"The students are dropping out of school. It's causing problems in their community," says Jenkins.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Provo High School auditorium. It will feature performances from several BYU groups including Young Ambassadors and Living Legends. Also set to take the stage: the UVU African Club and Provo High School cultural groups, dance classes and choirs.

Local businesses have promised to match all donations raised at the concert.

The principal from the Iraqi school the students are trying to help will also be making a visit to Utah in April.

E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com