2006 Year In Review!

Despite several significant and on-going challenges in 2006, Help the Afghan Children had another remarkable year of delivering quality education to thousands of Afghan girls and boys and providing humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of families in underserved areas. As we complete our 13th. year of service to Afghanistan, here are just a few of our 2006 accomplishments:

We turned over 5 fully-functioning schools to Afghanistan's Ministry of Education after training school administration staff, improving teacher competencies, and implementing our innovative educational programs.

We effectively implemented computer education classes for high school students, including many 12th graders, providing them with necessary skills to seek employment in Afghanistan's emerging information technology field.

Our first cultural exchange project co-sponsored by HTAC and Girls Learn International was successfully completed. Students from Badakhshi Girls School in Afghanistan and students from Staten Island High School in New York successfully produced and exchanged School Guidebooks.

Through HTAC's training and coaching of local community leaders, Community School Committee meetings increased from an average of 1.5 to 12 per year, reflecting increased support of our schools and local community investment in their children's education.

We began measuring teacher effectiveness using our new teacher competency standards.

We distributed critical school supplies to 8,500 displaced children who were returning to Afghanistan with their families.

We distribute medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to hospitals, clinics, and refugee camps, benefiting an estimated 50,000 people.

Recognition:

• HTAC and our Executive Director, Suraya Sadeed, were recognized by President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the White House for our outstanding work and dedication to improving the lives of Afghan children.
• Suraya Sadeed was the featured guest speaker at AmeriCares Annual Meeting in Connecticut.
  HTAC again received the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance National Charity Seal of Approval after having met their comprehensive standards of donor and operations accountability.
• HTAC's Op-Ed article on the importance of investing in education in Afghanistan was featured in the Chicago Sun Times
• Suraya Sadeed was featured on NBC's Weekend Today Show's Courageous Hearts segment.

In the face of earlier natural disasters (afghanistan earthquake, tsunamis, hurricanes) that diverted anticipated funding, the politics of government - sponsored funding initiatives, and the rise of violence in several Afghan provinces, our achievements in 2006 were remarkable, but we could not have done it without the on-going support of our charitable donors. For every child we reach, educate, and give hope to – you are there with us. Thank you for all you do!

Cultural Exchange Project Launched!
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