UNICEF Press Release Issued Concerning Clay's Trip to Afghanistan

A press release by UNICEF (PDF) today made public Clay's recent trip to Afghanistan to bring attention to the critical needs of children there. The release, entitled "UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken Draws Attention To The Critical Needs of Children in Afghanistan", states:

NEW YORK/KABUL (April 12, 2007)—UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Clay Aiken concluded a recent trip to Afghanistan today by heralding the progress being made in children’s education.

“As a former teacher I recognize that spark of hope and excitement all children possess when given the opportunity to learn,” said Aiken, who spent five days traveling between Kabul and Bamyan in the central region of Afghanistan. “Rebuilding schools, training teachers, providing essential supplies and teaching materials are just some of the advances UNICEF and its partners have made to keep that hope flourishing.”

Last month marked a significant moment in the country’s recent history when more than six million children headed back to school to resume their education. Education in Afghanistan has witnessed a tremendous boost over the past few years.

While in the capital city of Kabul, Aiken, who was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004, visited schools that have implemented programs meant to ensure all children receive an education. While in Bamyan, Aiken met with former child soldiers who were re-integrated, and visited a health clinic and women’s literacy center where many women for the first time learn how to read and write. The literacy programme is one UNICEF’s main projects for the empowerment of women in Afghanistan.

Aiken also visited health clinics, water and sanitation programs as well as a program that reintegrates former child soldiers in to mainstream society.

“UNICEF is committed to reach out to all the children in Afghanistan and provide quality education,” said Catherine Mbengue, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan “There is progress, however there are still over one million children, particularly girls, who are not going to school, we have to do more”.

Some of the recent UNICEF-supported initiatives for education in the country include:

• Distribution of Teaching and learning materials to 2.71 million children and 61,780
teachers
• Enrollment of 195,878 out-of school children mainly girls who now have access to
primary education through community-based schools in 29 provinces in Afghanistan
• Supporting Mobile School Protection Teams in 34 provinces
• Training of 614 teacher trainers as well as 8,110 newly recruited female teachers
• Over 48,009 women enrolled in 1,782 adult Literacy Centres in 17 provinces
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About UNICEF:
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For further information, please contact:
Richard Alleyne, US Fund for UNICEF in New York, + 1 212 880-9177, RAlleyne@unicefusa.org
Roshan Khadivi, UNICEF Afghanistan, +93 798 50 7110, rkhadivi@unicef.org
Katey Grusovin, UNICEF South Asia Media Hub, + 91810530715, kgrusovin@unicef.org