Dear Balikatan friends,
It is my great pleasure to announce that Ate Lisa and Kuya Leiton Chinn have been chosen as the recipients of the 2010 Hugh M. Jenkins Awards for Excellence in Community Programming by the Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. NAFSA is the leading professional association promoting the exchange of students and scholars to and from the USA.

The purpose of the award is to recognize persons or organizations exhibiting “outstanding commitment to international educational exchange in the community, providing leadership and example for building bridges of friendship between Americans and internationals.” (NAFSA) The people who nominated Ate Lisa and Kuya Leiton gave “outstanding reports of their volunteerism throughout their service, highlighted their extensive service to NAFSA and local organizations, listed numerous accounts of their commitment to active participation with internationals in the local community, and their efforts to forge a link between community organizations, campuses, and international students.”(NAFSA)

Ate Lisa will receive the award at the NAFSA national conference, in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 2. Unfortunately, Kuya Leiton has to attend another event in Edinburgh, Scotland at the same time.
Please join us in praising God and congratulating Ate Lisa and Kuya Leiton Chinn on this honor and blessing (lchinn@intervarsity.org and lechinn@aol.com). May God use this award for His glory!

Sincerely,

Valerie Malabonga, Board Secretary (on behalf of the Balikatan Board)