Afghanistan

“I love coming to school because my teachers are kind to me. They give us lunch and we can play and sing. My Mum is pleased because of the help the school gives me.”

Lida, age 10, who attends the Day Care Centre, Karte Char.

30 years of chronic instability and conflict have had a dramatic impact on children’s education and wellbeing in Afghanistan. Extreme poverty and poor sanitation mean that one in four children will die before their fifth birthday - the third highest under five mortality rate in the world.

Many children do not go to school and from 1995 until 2001, girls were by law not allowed to attend. Since the fall of the Taliban there has been an increase in children, and in particular girls, going to school. This has resulted in a shortage of trained teachers, school buildings and school equipment.

Children in Crisis in Afghanistan

Children in Crisis has been working in Afghanistan for ten years providing education to children affected by poverty and conflict.

40% of children in Afghanistan are malnourished
An estimated 5 million people have been affected by psychosocial distress with the most vulnerable groups being women and children
Only one Afghan girl for every two boys attends school
Only 13% of women can read and write

In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Children in Crisis has so far trained 900 primary school teachers, of which over 50% are women. Training focuses on classroom methods and practice, psychosocial issues, peace and tolerance, land-mine awareness and basic healthcare.

The Children in Crisis Karte Char Day Care Centre operates as a school and health clinic for 500 children in a deprived district of Kabul. The centre also provides a daily meal, which for many children is their only meal of the day.

Children in Crisis is working with the traditionally nomadic Kuchi community of Kabul who have been forced to settle as a result of drought and war. A tent school has been set up in the Kuchi Camp where trained teachers are providing lessons for 100 children.

1000 street working children and their families are receiving support through three education centres in Kabul.

In partnership with UNICEF, Children in Crisis is training 90 social workers in the provinces of Paktya, Bamiyan and Ghazni to provide support to vulnerable children and their families.