Afghan and West Bank GCE participants visit the Google Inc. campus in Mountainview, CA.

In April 2008, four Afghan and seven West Bank youth visited the Google campus in Mountainview, CA, as part of the Global Connections and Exchange program (GCE), implemented by Relief International-Schools Online.  The students were given a tour of the vast campus and learned about the work of Google.org, the philanthropic unit of Google Inc. In particular, the students learned about Google.org’s support of small and medium-sized enterprises in the developing world and about the company’s Predict and Prevent initiative. This initiative aims at identifying and sharing with relevant stakeholders valuable information about vulnerable populations worldwide who are facing health and environmental threats. Following their visit, the students will make presentations at their schools about their exchange experiences and mobilize other teens to participate in service activities that benefit their communities.