SIGBI/UNICEF Soroptimists for Pakistan Appeal
CONGRATULATIONS AND SINCERE THANKS TO ALL MEMBERS – TOTAL FUNDS RAISED
£26, 840.27
This SIGBI project working with our partners UNICEF was set up to provide aid to the victims of the terrible floods in Pakistan in 2010. By Nov 2011 Soroptimist fundraising had reached almost £26,000. The Appeal began at our SIGBI conference in Manchester and in just over a year, and with a big push at our Brighton conference 2011 our Federation raised an amazing £26,840.27 in total. Federation Programme Director Sue Biggs presented the cheque to UNICEF Ambassador Paul Clark at our conference in Belfast this year.
Asad Zaidi has benefitted from UNICEFs work in Pakistan
Our funding has primarily supported the education of children in Pakistan, particularly the education of girls. Temporary learning centres for children affected by floods were set up after the terrible floods in 2010, providing “School- in- a-box” kits containing enough learning material to manage a primary school for 80 students, as well as recreational kits, floor mats, black boards, stationary and other supplies. Due to the severe flooding again in 2011 and further flooding this year 2012 these learning centres are continuing to be used to great effect.
The latest report from UNICEF dated Dec 3rd 2012 tells us that, 27,575 children (41% girls) are now enrolled in 425 Temporary Learning Centres, 33% of these children have never attended school before.
UNICEF has supported the construction of 74 transitional school structures using pre-fabricated materials specially designed for flood-prone areas. These structures include separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls, as well as furniture and playground equipment. These structures are designed to be easily dismantled and rebuilt so that education can be quickly resumed when floods occurs.
In the report UNICEF thanks all the donors that have provided support to the life-saving humanitarian activities in the flood affected areas of Pakistan.
A HUGE THANK YOU to all our members who have supported this project.
Sue Challoner