DEARBORN — Maples Elementary School and the City of Dearborn have been chosen to be featured in the book “Children of the U.S.A.” published by the Global Fund for Children.  “Children of the U.S.A.” visits fifty-one cities — one in each state, as well as the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., celebrating the diversity of children. 

Dearborn was chosen to represent the State of Michigan with photos and text about Maples School and the Maples Arabic Music Ensemble prominently highlighted.  The book mentions that Dearborn has one of the country’s largest Arab American populations with many of Dearborn’s children being Muslim.  It continues that the Maples School Arabic Music Ensemble “keeps rhythm on a derbeki (hourglass-shaped hand drums) and tambourines, while others sing and dance.”   There is also a photo of student Ali Anani playing the derbeki.

Fifth grade student, Sabrine Bazzi, from Maples School, is quoted in the book saying, “My friend is African American and she likes me a lot!  I taught her an Arabic word and she taught me how to braid her hair.”  

Mrs. Catherine Prowse, vocal music teacher and director of the Ensemble, is thanked by Cynthia Pon, Director of Global Fund for Children Books, for her help in gathering the children’s quotes and “amplifying the excitement” of bringing this book to market.  “The Ensemble’s music has enriched the lives of our children and provides a musical gift to the community by building bridges of understanding,” commented Maples Principal, Lisa Napolitan.

Global Fund for Children’s mission is to advance the dignity of children and youth around the world.  GFC pursues its mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations that work with some of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth.  Funding for the grants is obtained by books, films, and photographs that highlight issues affecting children in the global society in which we all live. To purchase a copy of the book and for more info about GFC visit www.globalfundforchildren.org.