U.S. Ambassador Peter W. Bodde opened the 5^th Annual American Road Show program in Palpa today.  This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Grow a Future.” The fourteen-day Road Show program will visit Palpa, Baglung, Myagdi and Parbat.  During the program, visitors can review book exhibits, watch movies, play games and sports, and speak with U.S. Embassy officers.  They can also learn about the experience of U.S.  Peace Corps volunteers and host families, and hear presentations on science, studying in the United States, using English language resources, U.S. culture, and other topics.  Visitors can view a traveling exhibit on Climate Change, displays on renewable energy technologies and USAID programs, and participate in art and spoken word workshops with the Embassy Book Bus (a mobile library with solar-powered, free WiFi access to the Internet). 

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Bodde said, “We are encouraging reading and literacy through our book display and through art, technology and English language activities on our Book Bus.  Through reading and access to information, young people in Palpa, Baglung and across Nepal will have access to a brighter future.”  More than 12,000 English and Nepali books, many of them children’s books, will be donated to public libraries and schools in each of the districts.