Voices of Women

Afghanistan Project

Some of the children helped by the Afghan Women's Educational Center.

In 2006, Voices of Women sought a locally-based Afghan organization dedicated to furthering the education of women and children in Afghanistan. With the aid of Dr. Huma Ahmed-Ghosh, a San Diego University Professor of Women’s Studies whose field of expertise is locally run NGOs dealing with women’s issues in Afghanistan, we identified the Afghan Women’s Educational Center (AWEC). AWEC's mission is to be "dedicated to the promotion of rights, self-sufficiency, empowerment and understanding among Afghan women and children through education, health, peace education and socio-economic development projects."

In 2007, Voices of Women (VOW) donated $8,000 to AWEC; $3,000 to literacy programs for women in Mazar-al-Sharif, and the balance towards two children’s centers for working street children in Kabul, which AWEC had identified as a very high priority project for them. These monies were used to buy school supplies and hygiene materials for the 258 children attending last year.

VOW is currently trying to raise monies to continue the work of these informal educational centers, that serve 450 boys and girls. Currently, AWEC still needs almost $50,000 of the $207,000 operating budget of its "Support Street and Working Children" project. Major donors this year include Save the Children-UK, and the Finnish Embassy. VOW is one of the smaller nonprofits that have pitched in to help.

Children in the centers are from 8 to 18 years old. They are identified by local social workers. They must be the only source of income for their families, and are currently working in shops, selling on the street or begging. Students come to the centers for 90 minutes classes that fit their work schedules. The curriculum enables them to advance three grades in one year, and eventually to enter regular government schools. Medical referrals, crisis counseling, and recreational activities are also included in the program. The centers serve boys and girls in separated classes; the ratio of girls is growing from 31% last year to 48% this year.

Because of the cost of living in Afghanistan, modest donations to this program can go a long way. Large donations can accomplish a great deal.

Drawing by a Child in the Street Childrens' Center

According to AWEC:

School supplies for 450 students cost $7200 a year, or $16 per student per year.
Hygiene materials (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush) cost $12,000 a year, or $27 per student per year.
A teacher salary is $3600 a year; there are 4 classroom teachers, 4 outreach teachers, and 2 vocational training teachers.

Therefore:

$40 provides school supplies and hygiene materials for a student
$90 provides school supplies for 5 students
$300 funds a teacher for a month
$900 funds a teacher for 3 months
$36,000 funds a teacher’s salary for a year.

Drawing by a Child in the Street Childrens' Center

We hope that you will consider helping us to help these children. Our belief is that education is the long term solution to peace in this war-torn region, and will help these children to build productive lives.

Checks should be made out to Voices of Women, with “AWEC” on the memo line, and sent to:

Voices of Women
8677 Villa La Jolla Drive, #1214
La Jolla, CA 92037

Please visit the links below to learn more about AWEC, or visit their web site at www.awec.info.