Afghan Children Study Under the Trees

Date: October 24, 2002

In many parts of Afghanistan, the shade from trees substitutes for school buildings that were destroyed by the Taliban. Over 70% of the country's 7,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed; so thousands of students must meet under the trees or in tents. Few students have books; they copy their lessons from chalkboards.

Last March, about two million children in Afghanistan returned to school. Most of Afghanistan's schools start in March and end in December. Many girls attended school for the first time in their lives. For five or six years, almost all girls in Afghanistan had been denied an education. Even though the Taliban no longer rules, many families are still keeping their girls home; currently 30% of pupils are girls. The situation of women and girls in Afghanistan has improved but much work remains.

"Children are hungry for an education," says Henry Hamilton, head of mission at the United Methodist Committee on Relief's office in Kabul, Afghanistan. For example, even though the Qalia Mura Big School is in rubble, four hundred boys walk great distances every day to attend classes held outside in the elements. Since the end of Taliban rule, the number of Afghan kids enrolled in schools has tripled to almost three million, according to USAID. Teachers report that more children are seeking enrollment every day, creating a continuous need for more books, stationery and investment in teachers' training and support.

UMCOR is helping Afghan children to receive the good education that they deserve. It is assisting in the construction and reconstruction of their schools. Usually between $15,000 to $38,000 is needed to rebuild each school, depending on its size and location. UMCOR will provide children with school kits and school supplies and their instructors with teaching supplies. It will also work with communities to develop parent teacher associations that can help organize the rehabilitation of their communities' schools.

You can participate in this program by contributing to "UMCOR Advance #602225, Afghanistan Emergency." Please specify the Advance number and "Schools for Afghan Children" written on the memo line. Give through your local United Methodist church or mail contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation. For information about school kits, call 1-800-814-8765 or visit UMCOR's web site at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/schoolbagpattern.cfm for a list of contents for kits, instructions for preparation and mailing of kits, and a pattern for the school bag.

Photos: 1. Students of Rukha Girls School meet under the trees. During conflict in Afghanistan, many educators left Afghanistan and schools were destroyed. Girls were denied an education. 2. The headmaster of Qalia Mura Big School sits in his tent. Even though their school is in rubble, four hundred boys walk great distances every day to attend classes out in the elements. Credit: Henry Hamilton, UMCOR/Afghanistan 2002. Click on any photo for larger view.

See Also

Church Resources

• Church Bulletin Insert: Afghanistan: Schools, Homes, and Hope in a Nation in Crisis, August 2004.
• School Kits: What They Contain and How to Make Them.

Onsite and Partners News and Features

• Afghanistan: Current Programs, UMCOR/Afghanistan.
• United Methodist Committee on Relief to Build Schools in Afghanistan, UMNS, May 26, 2004.
• From Rubble to Schools and Clinics: UMCOR Begins New Afghan Project, GBGM, May 25, 2004.
• Delighted Afghan Children Receive UMCOR School Kits, UMCOR, October 17, 2003.
• Afghan Kids Say "Thank You" for School Kits, UMCOR, February 12, 2003.
• Thank You Letters from Afghan Refugees at The Nazoo Anna Education Center.
• Afghan Children Study Under the Trees, UMCOR, October 23, 2002.
• UMCOR Responds to the Crisis in Afghanistan.
• Schools for Afghan Kids, USAID.