International development organization to implement $2.2 million program to improve education, vocational training, literacy support, recreation and psychosocial services in Sri Lanka, Burma, Guatemala, Sudan and Chad
NEW YORK, October 2, 2007—American Jewish World Service (AJWS) has pledged $2.2 million over three years to the Education Partnership for Children in Conflict Regions, a $148 million, 19-organization consortium co-announced by President Bill Clinton and actress Angelina Jolie at last week’s annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative.
For its part in the Partnership, AJWS will provide new educational opportunities for 13,000 women and children in key conflict and post conflict areas in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Darfur, Chad and on the Thai/Burma border. Through this program, AJWS will also be strengthening the capacity of its grassroots partner organizations and integrating peace and tolerance education into all aspects of the local educational systems.
“These are some of the most forgotten people in the world,” said Ruth Messinger, President of AJWS. “They are living in camps, where fear, emotional trauma and the severe poverty are robbing women of their dignity and children of their future.
“It is time for those who can put a stop to this tragedy to mobilize on a massive scale, and we are excited to offer our support and expertise to such an effort.”
Overall, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict has committed to placing 350,000 out-of-school children in school and improving the learning environment, safety, materials and teacher quality for another 650,000 students.
In implementing its program for the Partnership, AJWS will leverage its relationship with more than 25 community based organizations in Sri Lanka, Burma and Guatemala in order to provide literacy services, educational support and vocational training to more than 10,000 women and children. AJWS will also expand its partnership with groups in Darfur and Chad that focus on delivering recreational opportunities and psycho-social support to more than 3,000 women and children living in refugee and IDP camps.
Thus far, AJWS has raised $1 million of its commitment.
For More Information
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